A recent report by TLP Advisory, titled "Home and Away: Tracking African Tech’s Global Footprint," has found that African technology companies are increasingly using overseas markets to establish operations, secure regulatory licences, and build commercial relationships. The report examined 100 technology companies across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco, focusing on their international business connections with the UK, the US, and the UAE.
The report revealed that among the companies with UK affiliations, 84% were incorporated in the country, 47% maintained an operational presence, and 19% held regulatory licences. In contrast, US-affiliated companies showed a different pattern, with 81% having incorporation as their only recorded affiliation, and only 3% holding regulatory licences. UAE-affiliated companies also had a low percentage of regulatory licences, at 4%.
The findings suggest that different international markets play distinct roles in the expansion strategies of African technology businesses. The US remains important for companies seeking fundraising opportunities and corporate structures, while the UAE provides access to commercial networks and markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The UK, meanwhile, appears to offer a combination of incorporation, operations, and regulatory access.
According to TLP Advisory co-founder and partner Odunoluwa Longe, founders should be deliberate about their international expansion strategies, understanding what they want to achieve in each market and developing the necessary networks and commercial relationships to turn an international presence into growth. The research also raises important questions about the next phase of Africa's technology development and the implications for technology policy.
The report's findings have implications for African governments and investment institutions, highlighting the need to support start-ups beyond encouraging company formation or attracting venture capital. Businesses also need stronger domestic markets, predictable regulation, reliable digital infrastructure, and access to skilled professionals. The long-term objective should be to help African companies build internationally competitive businesses while retaining strong operations, talent, and economic contributions on the continent.
As African technology companies deepen their global connections, their success will depend on how effectively they translate international access into sustainable growth at home. The opportunity is not simply to become present in more markets, but to build African businesses capable of competing confidently across them. The research offers useful insight into how African firms are approaching international markets and the challenges they face in establishing a foreign subsidiary without a clear commercial purpose.
Key points
- African technology companies are increasingly establishing operations, securing regulatory licences, and building commercial relationships in overseas markets, particularly in the UK.
- The UK, US, and UAE play distinct roles in the expansion strategies of African technology businesses, with the UK offering a combination of incorporation, operations, and regulatory access.
- African governments and investment institutions need to support start-ups beyond encouraging company formation or attracting venture capital, and help them build internationally competitive businesses while retaining strong operations, talent, and economic contributions on the continent.
