Kenza Lahlou is an industry expert and thought leader in venture capital and digital transformation across MENA and Africa.
She is the Founding General Partner of a pioneering early-stage VC fund backing high-growth tech startups across North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2018, she has invested in 19 fast-growing companies in fintech, logistics, healthtech, climate tech/energy efficiency, and AI, operating in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Kenza has deep expertise in the full investment cycle — from sourcing, due diligence, deal structuring, and closing to fund structuring and fundraising from private and institutional LPs. She is highly experienced in fund strategy, portfolio construction, and governance, serving on portfolio company boards and supporting founders with business development, strategic growth, and fundraising. Beyond venture capital, she has also worked with leading corporates on digital transformation and open innovation strategies in fintech, agtech, and insurtech, from startup collaborations to M&A for market expansion or vertical integration.
She holds a BS and MSc in Computer Science from INSA (France) and a Master’s in Strategy and International Business from ESSEC Business School (Singapore). She completed a Leadership Executive Program at Harvard Kennedy School in 2016 and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 25), part of the world’s most prestigious fellowship and global network of venture capital professionalsMore...