Askya Investment Partners, an African venture capital firm, has announced the launch of the Askya AI Growth Platform, a pan-African programme to scale artificial intelligence startups into enduring, continental-scale enterprises.
Askya Investment Partners is an investment firm building a new generation of technology and artificial intelligence champions from Africa, led by founder and managing partner Babacar Seck, former CEO of Digital Africa and founding member of Proparco’s pan-African venture capital programme.
Through the Askya AI Growth Platform, run alongside innovation advisory and execution firm Magna Collective, Askya aims to help the best African AI startups reach product-market fit and scale their commercial traction.
The programme is free for startups and takes no equity. Companies selected for the cohort will be eligible for up to $200,000 in investment through Askya’s funds. The inaugural cohort is honorary chaired by Tosin Eniolorunda, founder and group CEO of Moniepoint.
Its inaugural cohort will bring together 10 AI-native, Africa-focused startups, from pre-seed to Series A, with a live product and demonstrated customer demand. During the six-week hybrid programme, founders will go through masterclasses, one-to-one coaching and company-building support from some of Africa’s best founders and operators – covering technology, product, governance and distribution, alongside access to cloud, compute, customers and talent.
“AI is rapidly becoming a key driver of economic development. Africa can either become a producer of AI technology, capturing the tremendous value it creates, or remain a mere importer, watching its productivity gap with other economies widen even further. Since 2024, Askya has advocated for an ambitious approach to African AI. With the Askya AI Growth Platform, we put our money where our mouth is – backing founders building generational AI companies that address Africa’s biggest needs,” said Seck.
Applications are open until September 30.