In today’s rapidly changing global economy, the ability to innovate is no longer optional, it is the lifeblood of competitive nations. Across Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, innovation is emerging as a powerful engine for economic transformation. Yet, for innovation to thrive, it requires more than bold ideas; it needs robust systems, sustainable capital, and intentional partnerships.

 

At Verraki, we recognise that unlocking this potential demands collective action from government, private sector players, investors, and development partners. As a proudly African consulting firm and a member of Andersen Consulting, our mission has always been to bridge ambition and execution, helping businesses and governments co-create lasting solutions for growth.

 

This July, we took deliberate steps to advance this mission by engaging deeply in two landmark events hosted by the American Business Council (ABC): the ABC Cocktail Mixer (July 10) and the US-NG Startup Investment Summit (July 16). These events provided a critical platform for discussing the future of venture capital in Nigeria and the broader ecosystem needed to support startup growth.

 

Unlocking Capital: More Than Funding

 

The first of these engagements, the ABC Cocktail Mixer, convened a powerful audience of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), private equity and venture capital leaders, banks, and ecosystem builders at Pier Harbour, Victoria Island.

 

In his opening remarks, Verraki’s Managing Partner, Niyi Yusuf, set the tone for the evening:

“Unlocking capital isn’t just about funding startups, it’s about building the rails for an innovation-driven economy that works for all Nigerians.”

 

This framing is critical. Too often, the conversation about startup funding focuses narrowly on transactions, who gets funded, by whom, and for how much. But as Niyi highlighted, sustainable innovation requires infrastructure, regulatory clarity, investor-friendly policies, robust financial systems, and deep collaboration between corporates and entrepreneurs.

 

This broader perspective guided the evening’s discussions, including the fireside chat conversation on “Unlocking Capital and the Future of Venture Capital in Nigeria,” featuring insights from Dr. Ola Brown (MFR), Founder & Managing Partner at HealthCap Africa, and moderated by Ashley Immanuel. The dialogue challenged investors and corporates to think beyond short-term returns and commit to building mechanisms that sustain startup ecosystems over time.

Advancing Venture Capital Development: From Policy to Partnerships

 

Six days later, Verraki participated in the US-NG Startup Investment Summit 2025, a flagship gathering that brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and development leaders to discuss the role of private capital in scaling Nigeria’s startups.

  [caption id="attachment_3526" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Form L-R: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Co-founder, Future Africa; Olaniyi Yusuf, Managing Partner, Verraki Partners (a member of Andersen Consulting); Margaret Olele, CEO, American Business Council; Funmi Ogunlesi, Head of Government Affairs, Sub-Saharan Africa and Director at Citibank; Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee; and Oguche Agudah, CEO, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria — at the American Business Council’s US-Nigeria Startup Investment Summit 2025, held on July 16 at the Citibank office, Victoria Island, Lagos.[/caption]      

Here, Yusuf moderated a pivotal panel: “Advancing Venture Capital Development and Investor Incentives in Nigeria,” featuring an impressive lineup:

• Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founder, Future Africa
• Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (joining virtually)
• Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms Committee

 

The conversation explored critical questions: How can Nigeria design tax incentives that attract venture capital? What regulatory frameworks can balance investor confidence with innovation freedom? How do public-private partnerships catalyze the kind of long-term; patient capital startups need to grow?

 

These are not abstract questions, they are pressing issues for a country seeking to position itself as a leading destination for investment in Africa. The panel stresses the fact that venture capital cannot thrive in a vacuum; it requires deliberate policy actions, capacity-building for founders, and a collaborative approach that brings together government, corporates, and financial institutions.

Beyond the Panels: Building Relationships That Matter

 

While the panels were high impact, our engagement extended beyond the conference room. In the summit’s Deal Room, Verraki representatives Adeoye-Wilson Kupolati and Oiza Balogun engaged directly with startup founders solving challenges in fintech, AI, and transpotation. These one-on-one conversations stresses a recurring theme: the appetite for innovation in Nigeria is boundless, but the enabling environment must evolve to meet its pace.

 

The Deal Room was also a reminder that impactful change happens when we connect capital to ideas, and just as importantly, when we connect people to opportunities.

Why This Matters

 

Our involvement in these events is more than symbolic. It reflects Verraki’s commitment to ecosystem building, an approach that integrates thought leadership, relationship-building, and actionable insights to create meaningful progress.

   

Specifically, our work is anchored on three priorities:

• Shaping Conversations That Drive Change: By moderating high-stakes discussions and sharing insights at key forums, we’re helping to reframe the narrative around venture capital, from funding individual startups to designing systems for sustainable growth.
• Building Strategic Relationships: These engagements allow us to deepen relationships with public and private sector leaders, investors, and ecosystem builders who share our vision for Africa’s transformation.
• Supporting Innovation for Scale: From AI readiness frameworks to enterprise growth strategies, Verraki provides the tools and expertise startups and corporates need to scale responsibly and competitively.

 

The Road Ahead

 

The momentum from these events reinforces a fundamental truth: Nigeria’s innovation economy is ready for takeoff, but it needs coordinated effort.

At Verraki, we remain committed to working with partners, local and global, to:

• Bridge the gap between capital and innovation by facilitating investor confidence and startup readiness.
• Support policy dialogue that creates an enabling environment for venture capital to thrive.
• Empower African enterprises with the strategy, tools, and networks they need to succeed at scale.

 

Our work doesn’t stop at events. It extends to boardrooms, policy tables, and innovation hubs across the continent. By aligning global best practices with deep local insights, we are helping shape the future of African enterprise, one conversation, one partnership, and one bold idea at a time.