Entering 2026 with conviction: why long-term capital still matters

Global capital markets remain cautious, with investment in emerging markets still well below 2021-2022 peaks. Yet across our target market in East Africa, demand for affordable food, reliable energy, and access to safe water continues to grow, driven by climate pressure, population growth, and rising living costs. 

These are not quick-return sectors. Building essential infrastructure and inclusive economies requires long-term capital, intentional allocation, and partners willing to stay the course. At DOB Equity, this reinforces a belief we’ve held from the start: patient capital matters most when conditions are tough. 

In 2025, our portfolio continued to deliver impact at scale: 
• 31,000+ metric tonnes of food and milk produced, supporting over 55,000 farmers and vendors 
• 23,000+ clean energy connections and 4,600+ tonnes of emissions avoided 
• 90,000+ water filters produced, expanding access to safe drinking water 
• Nearly 13,000 jobs supported across food, energy, and water systems 

One trend that continues to give pause is how uneven capital allocation remains. Recent data from the Big Deal shows that in 2025, less than 1% of venture funding went to female-only founding teams, and under 8% to teams with at least one female founder, meaning over 91% of capital continues to flow to male-founded businesses. Particularly in a constrained funding environment, this raises important questions about who is being backed and what opportunities and perspectives the market may be missing as a result. 

Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is clear: disciplined deployment into high-conviction opportunities, active portfolio support, selective exits and a more intentional effort to back strong female founders who continue to be underrepresented in our venture capital world. 

We remain committed to partnering with entrepreneurs building essential infrastructure and to ensuring capital reaches those with the potential to create lasting impact.