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10 VC Firms Actively Investing in East Africa Right Now

If you're a founder trying to figure out who actually writes checks in Nairobi, Kigali, or Dar es Salaam, or an investor trying to map the competitive landscape, the honest answer is that the list changes faster than most directories can keep up with. Funds close, merge, or quietly go dormant. New ones show up with fresh capital and a narrower thesis. Here's a current, verified snapshot of ten firms genuinely active in East Africa right now, what they invest in, and the East African companies that prove it. 1. TLcom Capital TLcom Capital , headquartered in Nairobi with additional offices in Lagos and London, is one of the longest-running Africa-focused tech VCs, investing on the continent since 1999. Its TIDE Africa Fund II closed at $154 million , making it Africa's largest early-stage VC fund, and the firm writes checks between $500,000 and $10 million from pre-seed through growth stage. TLcom has backed some of East Africa's most recognisable names, including Twiga...
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Damaged Undersea Cable Disrupts Internet Connectivity Across Africa: Houthi Involvement Suspected


In a significant development impacting digital communication across Africa, a damaged undersea cable has led to widespread loss of internet connectivity in various regions. The affected cable, belonging to SEACOM, a prominent provider of connectivity to businesses and companies in Africa, has resulted in disruptions that are particularly affecting Nigerian businesses.

The cause of the damage to the undersea cable remains under investigation, with multiple factors being considered. One potential cause suggested by Israeli media outlets is the involvement of Houthi forces, who have been targeting cargo ships in the region as part of their support for Hamas during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Houthis, an armed political and religious group in Yemen, have recently been engaged in aggressive actions in the Red Sea, including the hijacking of a commercial ship and launching missile and drone attacks on other vessels. These activities have raised concerns about their potential involvement in damaging the undersea cables critical for internet connectivity.

Oliver Fortuin, the Group CEO of SEACOM and a former Group Enterprise officer at MTN, highlighted the extensive impact of the cable damage. He mentioned that not only SEACOM's cable but also cables operated by other telecom operators like TGN, Europe-one, and Europe India Gateway were affected.

The Europe India Gateway cable, in particular, connects several countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, highlighting the broader ramifications of the connectivity disruption. Tata Communications, operator of the TGN cable, confirmed service disruptions due to cable damage near Yemen, affecting connectivity in various regions.

Repair efforts are underway, with SEACOM and its repair partner E-marine awaiting permits to commence repairs in the Red Sea. However, the geopolitical complexities of the situation,  are expected to delay the repair process significantly.

Countries primarily affected by the internet connectivity disruptions include those in East Asia, Egypt, and Kenya. The extent of the impact on these regions underscores the critical importance of undersea cables in maintaining global digital connectivity and the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in safeguarding these vital communication channels.

Disclaimer: This news release is based on available information and ongoing investigations. Details may be subject to change as new information becomes available.

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