The SuperReturn Africa Awards, in partnership with Stears
Summit Day, 1 December 2026 | 17:45-18:15
The Westin Cape Town
Celebrating GPs, investors and service providers
About SuperReturn Africa Awards
Tuesday 1 December 2026 | 17:45 - 18:15 | The Westin, Cape Town
SuperReturn Africa is proud to announce the return of our Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of some of Africa’s best market players.
Please note: only delegates registered with the summit option in their ticket may attend the awards ceremony. All passes will be checked before entry.
GP categories
Winners are selected by SuperReturn Africa's data provider, Stears.
Pan-African Fund Manager of the Year
Fund managers with investments in at least 3 African countries spanning 2 or more regions during the assessment period. Scored on investment activity (60%) and exits (40%), plus fundraising bonus. Managers shortlisted here are not considered for the regional categories.
Regional Fund Manager of the Year (North, East, West, Southern Africa)
Leading fund manager in the region receiving the largest share of its African investments during the assessment period. Scored on investment activity (60%) and exits (40%), plus fundraising bonus. Southern Africa includes Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
Emerging Manager of the Year
Fund managers founded within the last 7 years, or whose first recorded transaction falls within the last 5 years. Scored on investment activity (75%) and exits (25%), plus fundraising bonus, with a first-time fund close earning more than a follow-on.
Best VC Fund Manager of the Year
Leading venture capital fund manager. Scored on investment activity (60%) and exits (40%), plus fundraising bonus.
Best Female Fund Manager
Senior female investment professional at an eligible fund manager. The manager is scored on investment activity (60%) and exits (40%), plus fundraising bonus; the individual is verified as currently in post.
Exit of the Year
Most significant exit by a fund manager during the assessment period, determined by the largest disclosed exit value.
Service provider categories
Winners are selected by SuperReturn Africa's data provider, Stears.
Best Law Firm of the Year
Law firm acting as legal counsel on the greatest number of African private capital transactions and fund closes during the assessment period. Counted at firm level, with offices of the same firm combined, from publicly announced deals and fund closes.
Best Fund Administrator of the Year
Fund administrator servicing the greatest number of Africa-focused fund vehicles that closed during the assessment period, based on disclosed administrator appointments for those vehicles.
Open to LPs, GPs, Service Provider and Other nominations
Open to nominations
Outstanding Contribution to Private Capital
This award is open to the market captains. The industry pioneers who have showcased innovative strategies, successful deals, thought leadership and made a significant impact to the growth and development of private capital in Africa.
How managers are scored
Assessment period: January 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026. Activity is measured on announcement date.
Minimum eligibility: 2 or more qualifying events (investments, exits or fund closes), including at least 1 African investment or African-mandate fund close. Development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, corporate investors and angel networks are not eligible for the fund manager categories.
TIMELINE [for the GP categories]
W/C 21 September 2026: The shortlist will be announced. With Stears serving as the judging partner, assessing nominees based on the selection criteria above.
The winners will be announced at the ceremony.
Scoring and eligibility is only relevant for GP categories, that are not open to nominations.
TIMELINE [for the category open to nominations]
W/C 14 September 2026 Submissions open
W/C 26 October 2026: Submissions reviewed by judges and shortlist announced
Judges will cast their votes, and the winners will be announced at the ceremony
Nominations are now open!
Sponsor the Awards
By sponsoring an Award, you can raise your profile, increase professional exposure and maximise visibility.
- Stand out against the competition. Be seen as a business that encourages growth and development in the industry as a whole
- Support excellence. Align your brand with innovation and excellence in your field or business area
- Maximise your brand exposure. Enjoy extensive coverage before, during, and after this high-profile event.
- Take advantage of premium networking opportunities. As a Category Sponsor, you can present your category award to the winner.
For more information on Award sponsorship packages, please contact Marcia Brissett at sponsorsuperreturn@informaconnect.com or call +44 (0) 20 8052 0427.