Lawbalization Episode 4: East Africa’s Tech and Investment Landscape and Africa VC Market Update with John Brittell
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Episode Summary
Jonathan Bench speaks with John Brittell, an East Africa–based managing partner at Six Figure Ventures, about the region’s evolving tech and investment landscape. John shares on-the-ground insights into intra-regional trade, regulatory fragmentation across 54 countries, common investor misconceptions, and where infrastructure and AI are creating near-term opportunities—from ISP/Wi-Fi and EV charging to insurtech and fintech. They also explore how startups, multinationals, and policymakers navigate informal markets, election-year dynamics, and protectionist rules, and why his fund blends VC and PE with short hold periods to accelerate exits. You can connect with John on LinkedIn by clicking here.
In this episode of Lawbalization, host Jonathan Bench speaks with John Brittell, managing partner at Six Figure Ventures, an Africa-focused VC fund. Drawing on over 20 years in East Africa, John shares his journey from NGO and agricultural projects in Uganda to launching a venture fund that backs high-growth technology startups.
The conversation explores East Africa’s economic and political realities, misconceptions global investors often hold, and the massive role of the informal economy. John highlights why Africa’s tech sector (especially fintech, EV mobility, insurtech, AI, and ISP infrastructure) offers unique opportunities, despite challenges like fragmented regulations and underdeveloped infrastructure.
John also explains Six Figure Ventures’ hybrid VC/PE model, designed for local investor expectations, shorter exit cycles, and relationship-driven deal origination. His insights shed light on why Africa remains one of the most promising yet misunderstood frontiers for global investment.