Novastar Ventures is one of the first and largest VCs investing in Africa. Since 2014, Novastar has partnered with bold entrepreneurs transforming markets and sectors, creating financial, social and environmental value for people and planet. Novastar is a global VC working from the entrepreneurial centres of Lagos, London and Nairobi, backing businesses in Africa that create lasting value for the many, not just the few.

Leveraging local insights and networks, Novastar partners with bold entrepreneurs forging solutions to the continent’s biggest problems — those obsessed with serving the basic needs of everyday consumers and the informal markets where they live, work and shop. These entrepreneurs and their ventures generate large-scale benefits to low-income households and attractive returns to investors.

The firm has invested in some of the best-known startups in East and West Africa, including Bridge International Academies, Sanergy and mPharma, addressing challenges in sectors such as agriculture, sanitation and healthcare. In May 2026, Novastar announced the final close of its third fund, the Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III (NVIII), at US$147 million, with a growing focus on climate-tech and sustainable development. Novastar Ventures Limited is authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, with its work encompassing investment advisors in Nairobi and Lagos.