UK Launches Free Fundraising Toolkit to Help African Businesses Attract Investment
The United Kingdom has launched a free digital fundraising toolkit designed to help African entrepreneurs, including those in Rwanda, become investment-ready and access international capital, as many businesses continue to face difficulties securing financing despite growing investor interest across the continent.
The Fundraising Toolkit, launched on July 30, 2026, at the British High Commission Residence in Kigali, was developed through the UK Government-funded Manufacturing Africa programme and is described as the first free, Africa-tailored fundraising resource bringing together practical guidance, investment tools, expert insights and an investor directory on a single platform.
Speaking at the launch, British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Alison Thorpe said access to finance remains one of the biggest obstacles facing businesses seeking to expand, despite Rwanda’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Across Rwanda, entrepreneurs are building businesses that are creating jobs, increasing exports, strengthening local value chains and driving industrialisation. Yet one challenge we consistently hear they face is access to finance,” she said.
Thorpe noted that while entrepreneurs have strong business ideas, many struggle to meet the governance, financial reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards expected by international investors.
She said the toolkit transforms years of practical investment experience into a free resource that entrepreneurs can use throughout their fundraising journey.
“It is much more than just a website. It is a comprehensive fundraising ecosystem,” she said, explaining that it provides step-by-step fundraising guidance, financial templates, investor databases, expert masterclasses and practical advice to help businesses become investment-ready.
According to Manufacturing Africa, the toolkit was developed using lessons from more than six years of supporting businesses across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Senegal. It draws on experience from over 300 investment opportunities, more than 70 completed investment deals and contributions from over 20 international investors.
The launch comes at a time when investment capital remains available but many African businesses are not yet prepared to access it. According to the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), nearly half of the capital earmarked for African private investment in 2024 remained undeployed because of a shortage of investment-ready businesses rather than a lack of available funding.
Faheem Chowdhury, Principal and Fundraising Lead at Manufacturing Africa, said the programme was created to bridge that gap by giving entrepreneurs practical knowledge that can help them raise capital more efficiently.
“We’ve been working for the last six to seven years with investors who have the capital. We have amazing Rwandan businesses with brilliant ideas and strong track records, yet so few investment deals happen,” he said.
He said entrepreneurs often spend significant time preparing financial models and engaging potential investors without knowing whether they are meeting investor expectations.
“This resource helps companies get to the right answer sooner instead of going in the wrong direction,” he said.
Chowdhury added that businesses supported through Manufacturing Africa have collectively mobilised more than £2 billion in investment, with several Rwandan companies among those successfully raising financing, including investments ranging from around US$10 million to US$30 million.
In Rwanda, Manufacturing Africa has supported 37 manufacturing companies since the programme began in 2019, according to Solomon Mutagoma, the programme’s Country Manager.
He said Rwanda was selected to host the toolkit’s launch because of its strong business environment and track record as a testing ground for new investment initiatives.
“Rwanda is a proof-of-concept market where smart ideas are tested and, once proven, can be scaled to the rest of the continent,” Mutagoma said.
He explained that while many African businesses traditionally depend on commercial banks for financing, substantial funding is also available from private equity firms, development finance institutions and impact investors.
“What this toolkit does is provide businesses with the technical knowledge of how to access this other type of capital,” he said.
Mutagoma said the platform explains the requirements international investors consider before making investment decisions, helping entrepreneurs understand the due diligence process, governance standards and fundraising practices using language that is accessible to African businesses.
Although developed with manufacturers in mind, he said the toolkit can also benefit businesses in other sectors, while offering particular value to companies operating in agribusiness, energy and affordable housing that align with Rwanda’s industrialisation agenda.
Manufacturing Africa, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), says it has mobilised more than £2 billion in foreign direct investment across Africa since its establishment in 2019, exceeding its original target of £1.2 billion, while supporting the creation of more than 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Fundraising Toolkit is available free of charge online and is intended to help entrepreneurs navigate every stage of the fundraising process, from preparing for investment to identifying potential investors and successfully closing deals.
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