Lewam Kefela

She has over ten years of investing and operations experience, focusing on emerging markets. She is a passionate advocate for African entrepreneurs and has played a significant role in supporting the growth of the continent’s VC space. She is known for her deep understanding of the African startup ecosystem, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and hands-on approach to supporting portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Partech, Lewam was an Investment Director at Village Capital, where she led the investment team and invested in startups in the US, India, Latin America, and Africa. She also co-founded The Africa Playbook, a series of newsletters and conversations focused on telling Africa’s growth story.

At Partech, Lewam has led investments in several successful African startups and is a board member of several portfolio companies. She is also a member of the Black Venture Capital Collective, a group of Black venture capitalists working to increase diversity in the VC industry. Lewam is a role model for many African entrepreneurs and investors, a champion of innovation, and a firm believer in the potential of Africa’s tech ecosystem.