The initiative, which takes place from November 18 to 23, 2025, at the Livespot Entertarium, Lagos, offers selected founders a chance to access ₦25 million in funding, mentorship, and investor partnerships that could boost their business growth.

Why It Matters

Africa’s creative economy is valued at over $20 billion and continues to expand with tech-led solutions transforming music, film, fashion, and design. 

The EWA Deal Room acts as a bridge between visionary founders and the capital they need to scale. 

Over the years, the programme has supported startups such as Esosa, a travel-tech platform connecting the African diaspora; Taghub, an AI-powered influencer marketing network; and Synewave, a revenue-sharing platform for artists. 

Together, these ventures have attracted more than $1 million in cumulative investment through EWA’s ecosystem.

Participants will undergo a three-day accelerator, receiving guidance from leading investors, industry experts, and creative leaders before showcasing their businesses at a Demo Day in front of global stakeholders. 

The platform also promotes meaningful networking, deal flow, and visibility that many founders struggle to secure independently.

Who Can Apply

The EWA Deal Room is open to:

• Founders and co-founders of tech-driven ventures in the creative and entertainment industries, including music, film, fashion, publishing, and design.
• Builders of platforms or tools enhancing distribution, monetisation, analytics, fan engagement, or funding within the creative sector.
• Independent artists, producers, and directors with strong market traction or projects in pre-production or development.
• Emerging entrepreneurs in lifestyle and skincare seeking to scale innovative ideas.
• Managers, rights holders, and distributors looking for funding or strategic partnerships.
• Investors, ecosystem enablers, and industry leaders shaping Africa’s creative and tech sector.

Benefits

• Access to ₦25 million in potential funding and partnership opportunities.
• Exclusive mentorship from top-tier investors and creative industry professionals.
• Investor-ready business model refinement and pitch training.
• Direct exposure to global networks shaping the future of Africa’s entertainment and digital ecosystem.
• Opportunity to pitch live at EWA Demo Day before an audience of global stakeholders and media partners.

How to Apply

Applications are now open via the website. Interested participants should submit details about their business, vision, and traction before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of selection.

The post Entertainment Week Africa Opens “Deal Room” — ₦25 Million Funding Opportunity for Creative Tech Startups appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The investment will enhance Yango’s support for innovative African startups that are solving local financing challenges and enabling sustainable business growth.

Beyond financial backing, Yango Group will work closely with Zanifu to strengthen its business structure and long-term expansion plans, drawing on its operational experience across more than 30 markets. 

The partnership stresses Yango’s belief that empowering SMEs is essential to driving inclusive economic growth across the continent.

Zanifu has already supported over 15,000 SMEs, offering embedded lending solutions that help small businesses access inventory finance, manage cash flow, and scale operations without relying on traditional collateral.

“Zanifu is working on exactly what we care about, building tools that help other businesses grow. By giving thousands of SMEs real access to capital, the team is enabling them to expand and succeed. We’re excited to bring our experience and expertise to help scale a business that’s delivering real impact to local communities,” said Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group.

The investment was made through Yango Ventures, a corporate venture arm launched earlier this year with a focus on early-stage startups across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. 

The fund targets high-growth sectors such as fintech, B2B SaaS, and on-demand services, offering startups both funding and access to Yango’s global expertise, network, and strategic guidance.

A deal with Zanifu results from Yango Group’s trust in Africa’s innovation ecosystem, ensuring growth for small businesses. This also opens a new chapter of scale and expansion across some of the continent’s most promising markets.

The post Yango Group Invests in Kenyan Fintech Zanifu to Boost SME Financing in Africa appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.