**The Rise of Discipline in African Angel Investing** Last year, a record number of angel investors and venture capitalists gathered in Lagos for a crucial discussion on the future of angel investing on the continent. Yemi Keri, President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), emphasized the importance of African investors taking charge of their economic destiny. As the first believers in startups, angel investors must work together to build a robust ecosystem. The past year was marked by significant economic changes, including record inflation and currency devaluations in major economies like Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria. This forced angel investors to reassess their investments and collaborate more closely with venture capitalists to provide pipelines for early-stage startups. As a result, targeted actions were taken to strengthen the bond between angel investors and venture capitalists. As we look to 2026, angel investors are gearing up to play a more critical role in the ecosystem. Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of ABAN, is confident that angel investors will continue to invest despite macroeconomic challenges. "We're not just funding startups, we're helping founders refine their products and find market fit," she explains. This shift in mindset is a welcome development, as angel investors have been criticized for not deploying enough capital. Increasing capital deployment is a key priority for angel investors in 2026. With more high-net-worth individuals embracing venture capital as an asset class, angel investors are writing bigger cheques and committing more capital to startups. According to Tchoumba, a decade ago, individual angels were limited to investing $1,000 or less. Today, they're committing $10,000 or more to promising startups. As the African startup ecosystem continues to grow, angel investors must remain disciplined and focused. By working together and providing critical support to founders, they can help build a thriving ecosystem that benefits everyone. With more capital deployment and a stronger bond between angel investors and venture capitalists, the future of African angel investing looks brighter than ever. In conclusion, the African angel investing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. As angel investors become more disciplined and focused, they're poised to play a more critical role in building a robust startup ecosystem. With more capital deployment and a stronger bond between angel investors and venture capitalists, the future of African angel investing looks promising.