22 On Sloane targets R1bn fund to support African startups and MSMEs - IOL

Executive Head of 22 On Sloane, Kizito Okechukwu at the GEC+Africa 2026.

Co-hosts of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa (GEC+Africa) 2026, 22 On Sloane, announced its aim to raise R1 billion through Sloane Capital to support startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the African continent. 

22 On Sloane is the largest startup campus and entrepreneurship hub in Africa. 

According to the company, access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers facing entrepreneurs and growing businesses across Africa. 

While business development support, mentorship and investment readiness are critical to helping entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises, access to appropriate and patient capital remains essential for businesses to scale.

Kizito Okechukwu, Executive Head of 22 On Sloane, said it recently acquired its CAT II licence and National Credit Regulator (NCR) licence. 

“Sloane Capital has been established to help bridge this gap by facilitating access to capital for high-potential startups and MSMEs, with a focus on supporting businesses beyond investment readiness and towards sustainable growth and scale,” he said. 

The capital mobilisation initiative forms part of 22 On Sloane’s broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating pathways for businesses to access the resources, networks and opportunities required to grow.

The initiative builds on more than nine years of 22 On Sloane’s experience supporting entrepreneurs and MSMEs through business development, capacity building, market access and investment readiness. Through this work, the organisation has seen first-hand that preparing entrepreneurs to become investment-ready must be matched by greater access to capital.

Speaking during the GEC+Africa 2026, Priyansh Dhawan, CEO of Sloane Capital, said they were excited for this next step. 

“Through Sloane Capital, we aim to support businesses across critical stages of growth, connecting entrepreneurs with appropriate sources of capital while strengthening the pipeline of investment-ready ventures,” Dhawan said.