He is a venture capital investor with over 25 years of experience in executive and management roles. His focus is on investing in technology companies based in Africa and the Middle East.

Ahmed El Alfi (photo) is an Egyptian entrepreneur and venture capitalist dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs across Africa. He is the founder and chairman of Sawari Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven businesses in the region.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Cairo, Sawari Ventures focuses on funding startups in North Africa that leverage innovative technologies and knowledge-based solutions. The firm’s mission is to support entrepreneurs in building transformative businesses capable of driving sustainable economic growth in local markets.

Sawari Ventures primarily invests in early-stage and growth-stage startups across a diverse range of sectors, including consumer internet, fintech, edtech, healthtech, deeptech, e-commerce, and enabling infrastructure. A portion of its budget is allocated to seed investments, contributing to the strengthening of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In 2011, El Alfi co-founded Flat6Labs, a regional startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage investments in Africa and the Middle East. This initiative has played a critical role in nurturing startups by providing funding, mentorship, and resources.

El Alfi also ventured into education with the launch of Nafham in 2011, an online platform offering educational videos aligned with the Egyptian public school curriculum. The platform aims to enhance access to quality education for students across the country.

In 2013, El Alfi launched The GrEEK CAMPUS, a technology and innovation park in Cairo. He served as its chairman until 2022. The campus provides state-of-the-art office spaces for startups and established companies in technology and media, fostering a collaborative and innovative business environment.

With more than 25 years of experience in executive and leadership roles, Ahmed El Alfi has become a pivotal figure in Africa’s tech ecosystem. His investments and initiatives continue to empower entrepreneurs and accelerate the region’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji