A New Perspective in African Venture Capital

Pius Bankong recently joined Oui Capital, a leading Lagos-based venture capital firm known for its hands-on approach with portfolio companies like Moniepoint and Cauridor. Bankong’s background as both an operator and founder brings a valuable perspective to the investment process.

From Startup Operator to Venture Investor

Bankong spent years building businesses from within, leading operations at fast-growing startups and even launching his own fintech venture, Stead Money. This experience gives him unique insights into what founders face daily—from product-market fit challenges to team building and fundraising.

The Value of Lived Experience

As African VC firms increasingly seek operators for investment roles, Bankong represents a shift toward valuing practical experience over traditional finance backgrounds. He explains that having “sat in their chair” allows investors to better evaluate founders’ potential and offer more targeted support during critical growth stages.

Bankong notes that his background helps him identify nuances others might miss—like when a founder is struggling with a particular product or market challenge. This empathy enables him to provide actionable advice based on firsthand experience, bridging the gap between founder vision and investor perspective.

Balancing Perspective and Objectivity

While his operating background fosters understanding, Bankong emphasizes maintaining objectivity as an investor. He strives to offer both thoughtful support and honest feedback that helps founders navigate challenges while aligning with investment objectives—recognizing that investors and entrepreneurs ultimately share the same goal of building successful businesses.