by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) — PAN-AFRICAN workspace and hospitality operator KOFISI is challenging traditional investment models in Africa, calling for a shift toward operator-driven partnerships that prioritize long-term impact over short-term financial gains.
The company recently secured US$10.5 million in new funding from London’s Falco Group, part of a wider $35 million project financing initiative.
The backing will accelerate KOFISI’s expansion across Africa, including a 100,000-square-foot centre in Nairobi and new sites planned for Kigali, Cairo, and other key markets.
For decades, investment in Africa has often been fragmented, dominated by small-scale funds seeking rapid returns.
According to KOFISI, such approaches have failed to build enduring industries or transform local economies.
The company argues that real development lies in large-scale operators with deep market knowledge and proven operational capacity.
Africa is the market of the future,” said Michael Aldridge, KOFISI’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
“To win here, investors need patience, partnership, and a willingness to bet on transformation. The question isn’t whether to invest, but how to do it wisely — aligning with Africa’s people, resources, and long-term potential.”
Since 2023, over 80 percent of private capital into Africa has flowed into fintech ventures, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.
While these sectors attract quick profits, Aldridge believes the continent’s sustainable growth depends on “building to scale” through ventures that integrate local realities and create shared prosperity.
KOFISI’s track record supports this model. The company now operates eleven centres in six countries, covering nearly 500,000 square feet of premium workspace.
In 2024, it achieved 40 percent growth, expanding in Kenya and Morocco. With ambitions to reach one million square feet across Africa, KOFISI aims to redefine how global investors engage with the continent.
Its partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Google, and BOLT, along with sustainability programs and a hospitality academy, underline its role as a transformative industry leader.
By backing operator-led ventures like KOFISI, Falco Group says it hopes to reshape Africa’s investment landscape, creating ecosystems that generate jobs, enhance productivity, and deliver meaningful social impact.
– CAJ News