Babacar is founder & managing partner of Askya Investment Partners, an investment firm building generational tech and AI companies from Africa.  

As investor and operator, Babacar backed 17 startups that returned over $120m in profits to investors, including one IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Since 2015, he has contributed to the development of Africa’s startup ecosystem as CEO of Digital Africa and Founding Member of Proparco’s $300m venture capital program, investing in iconic startups such as Moniepoint, Jumia and Complete Farmer, and anchoring multiple VC funds.

Prior to becoming an investor, Babacar served as Advisor to the Chairman and CEO of AXA, one of the world’s largest firms, where he played a key role in the group’s digital partnerships and emerging markets expansion, spearheading billion-dollar strategic initiatives. He has also served as director on the board of leading financial institutions and investment firms, such as Bank of Africa, Lok Capital, Disruptech and Ventures Platform.