But the government could also look to make good on promises of an investment fund for startups in the long-term. Rather than disburse them through a government agency or organization however, Endeavor recommends investing the funds “in the most efficient way” through experienced local venture capital firms.

So far, in the absence of targeted government support, help is coming from within the ecosystem as venture capital firms are collaborating to offer equity-free, emergency grants as cash lifelines to local startups. Ultimately however, the onus will be on the government to live up to its promises of boosting its $2 billion tech ecosystem, Omame says. “If this segment is strategically important, then we cannot afford to move as nonchalantly as we seem to be.”

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