4DX Ventures, a leading pan-African venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments, has announced the appointment of two distinguished industry veterans, Mimi Alemayehou and Kurankye Sekyi-Otu, as Senior Advisors. This strategic move comes as the firm continues to scale its platform and deepen its impact across the African continent, reinforcing its commitment to supporting innovative tech entrepreneurs.
The appointments, announced on June 5, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, mark a significant milestone for 4DX Ventures as it strengthens its leadership team with professionals who bring extensive global experience and networks to support its growing portfolio of technology companies.
A Proven Track Record of Investment Success
Since making its first investment in Africa in 2013, 4DX Ventures has established itself as a formidable player in the continent’s venture capital landscape. The firm has successfully raised three institutionally backed funds and currently manages approximately $200 million in assets. This impressive growth trajectory reflects the firm’s strategic vision and commitment to identifying and nurturing promising technology ventures across Africa.
In a significant development last year, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, became a 4DX investor with a $10.5 million capital commitment. This partnership demonstrates 4DX’s ability to attract top-tier global institutions and diversify its investor base, which includes endowments, private equity firms, family offices, and foundations.
Impressive Portfolio Spanning Multiple Sectors
4DX Ventures has built a reputation for backing bold, visionary entrepreneurs and supporting them with a high-touch, value-added approach to company building. The firm’s investment strategy spans various industries, including FinTech, E-commerce, Embedded Finance, Creative Industries, Marketplaces, Climate, and EdTech, focusing on companies that are shaping Africa’s digital future.
The firm’s portfolio includes several category-defining companies such as:
- Autochek: An automotive technology company facilitating auto financing across Africa
- Andela: A talent marketplace connecting skilled developers with global opportunities
- Breadfast: Egypt’s premier online grocery delivery platform
- MaxAB: A B2B e-commerce platform revolutionizing retail in Egypt
- Wasoko (formerly Sokowatch): A B2B e-commerce platform serving small retailers
- mPharma: A healthcare technology company improving access to medications
- Thndr: An innovative investment platform expanding across the MENA region
- Yoco: A financial technology company empowering small businesses
- Flutterwave: A leading payment processing platform facilitating seamless transactions across Africa
These portfolio companies operate in 22 African countries, with 4DX maintaining regional offices in Accra, Cairo, and Nairobi, and an active presence in South Africa and Francophone Africa.
Strategic Appointments to Enhance Global Reach
The appointment of Alemayehou and Sekyi-Otu comes at a pivotal time for 4DX Ventures as more African technology companies scale globally. Both advisors bring extensive experience and global perspectives that will be instrumental in supporting the firm’s founders, deepening institutional relationships, and contributing to long-term strategy.
Mimi Alemayehou: A Development Finance Powerhouse
Mimi Alemayehou brings deep experience from both the private and public sectors. Her impressive career includes global executive roles at Mastercard, as well as serving as Managing Director of the Black Rhino Group and Chair of Blackstone Africa Infrastructure LP.
A recognized leader in development finance, Alemayehou served as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government’s development finance agency. Her public service also includes representing the United States on the Board of the African Development Bank and serving on the President’s Advisory Council on Africa Diaspora Engagement.
Alemayehou has held multiple board positions, including at Twitter, U.S. African Development Foundation, and FinDev Canada. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in International Business and International Law and Development from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu: Investment Strategy Expert
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu brings extensive experience in the alternative investment industry to 4DX Ventures. He is the Founder and CEO of Capoeira Partners, a boutique strategic advisory firm working with founder-led asset management firms.
Prior to founding Capoeira Partners in 2024, Sekyi-Otu served as Chief Strategy Officer at Polar Asset Management Partners, one of Canada’s largest hedge funds, where he helped grow assets under management from US$700 million to US$7 billion. His career also includes senior roles at Mackenzie Investments and CIBC Capital Markets, with extensive experience in capital formation, business development, and institutional partnerships.
Sekyi-Otu graduated from York University with a B.A. (Honors) in Economics and holds the CFA and ICD.D designations. His leadership extends beyond the corporate world, as he has served as a past President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals and currently serves on the Board of Governors at Branksome Hall and the Board of Directors for Capitalize for Kids and BOF Capital.
Leadership Perspectives on the New Appointments
Walter Baddoo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 4DX Ventures, emphasized the strategic importance of these appointments: “As more African technology companies scale globally, we’re excited to bring on world-class advisors with truly global perspectives and deep operational and investment expertise. Both Mimi and Kurankye are known for their roll-up-your-sleeves approach and will be instrumental in supporting our founders, deepening our global institutional relationships, and contributing to our long-term strategy.”
Speaking of her new role, Mimi Alemayehou expressed enthusiasm about joining 4DX: “I’m thrilled to join 4DX and support the impactful work Walter, Peter, and the team are driving across the continent. This role is an exciting new chapter in my dedication to championing growth and development across Africa and emerging markets. 4DX has played a catalytic role in the African tech ecosystem, and I’m energized to bring my experience in development finance, technology, and policy to help scale innovation, build strategic partnerships, and deepen engagement with key stakeholders across sectors.”
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu added: “4DX has built an impressive track record of investing in founders who create category-defining companies, tackle local challenges, and uplift their communities. Our immediate focus is to deliver deep operational insight that drives meaningful execution as 4DX scales and deepens its partnerships with world-class global institutions. I’m committed to activating a global network of operators, partners, and domain experts to support the firm’s continued growth and strategic evolution.”
4DX Labs: A Unique Value Creation Model
A key differentiator for 4DX Ventures is its unique value creation model, institutionalized through 4DX Labs. This specialized arm is designed to help portfolio companies succeed by providing hands-on support across product, marketing, data science, engineering, sales, business development, corporate development, and fundraising.
This model has supported multiple strategic transactions, including Swarm Technologies’ acquisition by SpaceX, Tactyc’s acquisition by Carta, and the landmark merger of MaxAB and Wasoko — recognized as the largest tech merger in Africa to date.
The firm’s approach aligns with its mission to connect people, ideas, and capital to create a thriving African continent and a vibrant global community. 4DX looks for founders who are focused, creative, have a growth mindset, and possess true grit.
Expanding Investment Portfolio and Strategic Partnerships
4DX Ventures has demonstrated consistent success in identifying and supporting promising startups across various sectors. The firm’s recent investments include Taager, Egypt’s social ecommerce platform that raised $6.4 million, and Wowzi, Kenya’s influencer marketing startup that secured $2 million. These investments showcase 4DX’s ability to spot innovative solutions addressing market gaps across the continent.
The firm has also been active in the fantasy sports sector, leading a $3 million seed round for Eksab, an Egyptian fantasy football platform, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the growing entertainment technology sector in Africa.
Future Growth and Expansion Plans
As 4DX Ventures looks ahead, the firm is exploring growth-stage investments and promising new categories such as the creative economy, where its regional expertise and network provide a strong competitive edge. Alemayehou and Sekyi-Otu will play a key role in advising 4DX and extending the firm’s influence in global capital markets.
The African tech ecosystem continues to demonstrate resilience amid global uncertainty, with signs of a funding rebound emerging in 2025. According to recent data, African startups raised $343 million in April 2025 alone, the second-highest April total since 2022. From January to April 2025, total funding stood at $803 million, a 43% increase compared to the same period last year.
With its strengthened leadership team and strategic vision, 4DX Ventures is well-positioned to capitalize on these positive trends and continue its mission of supporting innovative technology companies across Africa.
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