Coprosperity Fund (sometimes spelled “Co-prosperity” or “Coprosperity”) is an investment fund founded in 2024 in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Its mission is to support small businesses in Tanzania and across the East African Community (EAC).

But it doesn’t operate like a typical microfinance or loan-based fund. Instead, it invests equity stakes in businesses (much like angel investors) and also provides mentorship and growth support.

How It Operates

Here are some of the key features of how Coprosperity Fund works:

Feature Details
Equity Investments Rather than giving out loans, it takes ownership or shares in businesses it invests in.
Mentorship & Support Offers mentoring to help portfolio businesses grow and scale.
Open to All Industries The fund is not limited to specific sectors; it is open-ended in terms of industry.
Third-Party Capital Management It can manage investments from outside investors who want exposure to growth in Tanzania and East Africa. The fund then invests that pooled capital into small businesses and reports back to investors.
Membership, Networks, and Partnerships It is a member of the African Business Angels Network (ABAN), which helps connect funders and startups / small businesses across Africa.
Key Distinctions & Advantages

Because it takes equity instead of debt, it can align more closely with the long-term growth of a business. The entrepreneur is less burdened by regular repayments; instead, growth and profitability matter.

The addition of mentorship and follow-on support helps to mitigate risks and increase the likelihood of success.

It provides an avenue for investors (domestic or foreign) to participate in SME growth in East Africa via an intermediary, offering useful diversification.

Being new (founded in 2024), it may be more agile in adapting to local contexts and opportunities compared to older, more rigid funds.

Limitations / Things to Check

Because it is equity-based, business owners must be comfortable giving up part of ownership.

The fund is new, so its track record is shorter. Investors or entrepreneurs will want to see examples of past investments, exits (if any), or performance metrics.

As with many funds in the region, regulatory, market, or infrastructural risks remain (e.g., market access, policy stability, etc.).