XA Network, a prominent investment network founded by tech industry veterans in Southeast Asia, has officially announced its expansion into Africa with the launch of XA Africa. This strategic move highlights XA Network’s commitment to fostering innovation globally, connecting exceptional African founders with capital and industry expertise to scale their ventures.
XA Africa is led by a team of seasoned tech professionals with deep industry experience:
- Nitin Gajria, former Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa
- Jason Scott, venture capitalist and architect of Google’s Black Founders Fund
- Marek Dawidowicz, Marketing Director at YouTube and a South African native
Supporting Africa’s Next Generation of Innovators
The establishment of XA Africa is a recognition of Africa’s vibrant tech ecosystem, where innovative startups are tackling some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. From financial inclusion to healthcare, logistics, and agriculture, tech entrepreneurs across Africa are leading transformative projects, and XA Africa is committed to accelerating their growth. Speaking on the vision behind XA Africa, Nitin Gajria, Co-Founder of XA Africa, said:
“Founders of technology startups in Africa are uniquely placed to solve some of Africa’s most profound challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities. We see the foray of XA Network into Africa as a natural progression, allowing us to connect amazing founders to experienced and expert operators from the tech industry.”
XA Africa will leverage the success of XA Network’s Southeast Asian operations, which have already seen nearly 100 investments and established the network as a leader in the region’s startup ecosystem. The network’s approach stands out by providing not just funding, but also invaluable mentorship, operational expertise, and access to a vast global network of senior leaders from some of the world’s top technology companies.
Investing in African Tech Pioneers
XA Africa has wasted no time in making an impact, having already invested in a number of promising African startups, including:
- Crop2Cash (Nigeria) – a fintech company helping farmers access credit
- BuuPass (Kenya) – a platform for digital bus ticketing and logistics management
- Kaya (South Africa) – a wellness and fitness platform
- Talamus Health (Ghana) – a healthcare technology platform improving patient outcomes
African founders, including those backed by XA Africa, have shared how the network’s involvement has been transformative for their ventures. Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, founders of BuuPass, expressed their excitement, saying:
“We are excited to have XA Network on board because of their strong network of experts who are open to listening and helping. They’ve introduced us to advisors from Expedia and truly understand the dynamics of emerging markets, making them a valuable investor.”
Michael Ogundare, CEO of Crop2Cash, echoed similar sentiments:
“Partnering with XA Network has been a game-changer for our company. Their strategic guidance and network have opened doors to new opportunities, and we’re excited to see the impact of our collaboration continue to unfold.”
Building Bridges Between Africa and Southeast Asia
XA Africa’s launch also represents a larger ambition to strengthen ties between Africa and Southeast Asia, both of which are home to some of the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems. XA Network’s investment hypothesis, which centers on cross-regional collaboration, has already been validated through its work with several African startups. This connection aims to bring shared knowledge, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships across these emerging markets.
“We also see an opportunity to build a stronger bridge between ecosystems in Africa and Southeast Asia along the way. In fact, this investment hypothesis has already been proven across some of the African founders we are currently supporting,” added Mr. Gajria.
XA Network: A Proven Track Record in Southeast Asia
Since its inception six years ago, XA Network has become a cornerstone of the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem. The network has been ranked as the top investment network in the region, due to its unique model of connecting founders with senior leaders from global tech giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and others. This wealth of experience and support sets XA Network apart, enabling it to offer portfolio companies unmatched guidance from experts who understand both the technical and operational challenges of scaling startups.
XA Africa’s entry into the continent comes at a time when African tech startups are gaining increasing global attention. The continent’s rapidly growing internet penetration, youthful population, and expanding mobile economy are creating fertile ground for tech-driven innovation.
What XA Africa Means for African Startups
By expanding into Africa, XA Network is opening doors for African founders to gain access to not just capital, but also the strategic advice and mentorship needed to thrive in competitive markets. XA Africa’s mission aligns closely with the rising interest in African tech from global investors, many of whom are recognizing the vast potential of the continent’s digital economy. With established connections to tech leaders in Southeast Asia, XA Africa will help build bridges, facilitating collaboration and shared growth between the two regions.
African tech founders now have the chance to benefit from XA Network’s proven model of hands-on support, positioning their companies for long-term success in an increasingly globalized marketplace.
XA Network is an investment network founded by tech industry veterans with a mission to support startups in emerging markets. The network comprises senior leaders from global and regional technology companies, offering capital, mentorship, and operational expertise to early-stage ventures. Since its founding in Southeast Asia, XA Network has made nearly 100 investments and expanded its reach to Africa, where it aims to drive innovation and growth across the continent’s tech ecosystem.
