Abidjan, February 27, 2026 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved, on February 27, 2026 in Abidjan, an investment of 6.5 million euros in the capital of the Saviu II fund to support early-stage technological startups and first institutional fundraising, mainly in West and Central Francophone Africa.
The Bank Group will invest 4.5 million euros in equity as well as two million euros in the form of a first loss coverage tranche on behalf of the European Commission under the Boost Africa Program. This participation by the pan-African institution will enable the Saviu II fund to prioritize companies with a strong technological or digital component.
The Saviu II venture capital fund aims to make at least 60% of its commitments in the French-speaking countries of West and Central Africa: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Mali. It can also co-invest in East Africa in promising technology companies with a strong team and business model, aiming to enter the market of Francophone West African countries and establish a strong presence in the region.
Saviu II, the second investment vehicle of Saviu Partners, plans to invest between 500,000 euros and three million euros in around twenty technological or technology-focused “B2B” startups in the early-stage or first institutional fundraising phase.
Additionally, the fund will allocate a dedicated envelope for pre-seed investments, providing per-company tickets for minority equity investments, usually in co-investment with studios, incubators, or other ecosystem partners.
About Saviu Partners: Established in 2018, Saviu Partners fund has gained extensive experience in supporting early-stage technological startups in West and Central Francophone Africa. The first investment vehicle of the independent fund manager, Saviu I, launched in 2018 with a capitalization of ten million euros, illustrates the manager’s investment strategy focused on “seed and growth”. This approach involves investing in high-potential startups and providing practical support in areas such as business development, recruitment, international expansion, and fundraising. The Saviu I fund has invested in 12 startups mainly based in French-speaking countries in West Africa.
