African-Americans put their weight behind start-ups in Africa

Anza Capital appointment reflects how professionals in the diaspora are putting their capital, expertise, networks (and hearts) into helping African start-ups to scale.

As Africa advances toward a tech-enabled future, Robert E. Williams’s appointment to the board of African venture capital firm Anza Capital exemplifies a growing movement to connect global capital with opportunity on the continent and to foster deeper, more strategic ties between African start-ups and African-American professionals with global clout.

At a time when news headlines are dominated by global trade challenges and evolving alliances, Williams is extremely well-placed to build bridges between African start-ups and U.S. investors. An African-American and long-time tech and telecoms executive with a global track record, Williams represents a new kind of ally for Africa. In addition to experience and access to global networks and capital, he brings personal conviction.

His interest in African start-ups began as a private mission: to invest in some of the fastest growing markets in the world, while supporting under-represented founders, many of whom look like him. Make no mistake, this isn’t about handouts. “It’s about backing brilliant founders with real potential, including several who also happen to look like me,” says Ohio-born Williams, who is now based in the Washington, DC area.

Anza Capital is an early-stage VC firm based in Johannesburg. Focused on scalable, tech-driven businesses that create social and economic impact, the business is working to close Africa’s funding gap for start-ups. Williams has started engaging with Anza’s portfolio companies, including the likes of health tech firm Welo, biomedical innovator Impulse, and AI and data company Locstat.

“What strikes me is the passion,” he says. “These founders aren’t chasing valuations, they are solving real problems in their communities. That kind of mission-driven innovation leads to sustainable success.”

In a career focused on scaling tech operations around the world, Williams has held leadership roles at AT&T, Amazon Web Services, and in cybersecurity and AI. He’s worked with the UN and the World Economic Forum, aligning tech with global development goals.

Despite many years of international travel, his work has not brought him to Africa before. “It’s funny how life comes together,” he reflects, “not only do I have a very interesting board opportunity, but this chance to really immerse myself on the continent.”

His family traces their U.S. roots to the southern states. “Like many Black Americans, you know the history, but not the human-to-human family lineage. There’s always missing parts,” he says. A DNA test helped fill in some of the blanks, tracing his ancestry to Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Beyond the personal, Williams sees Africa, especially South Africa, as a savvy business play. He cites Africa’s young population, mobile-first innovation and surging demand for health tech, clean tech and digital services. “The fundamentals are there,” he says. “What’s often missing is the connection.”

The importance of connection came into focus when Williams met Larry Yon, a longtime advocate for African investment within the diaspora. Yon had been mapping out how African-American professionals could support African startups, not just as investors, but as advisors and board members, replicating a Silicon Valley-style ecosystem of mentorship and equity participation.

“It was a lightbulb moment,” Williams recalls. “Why not take that model to a place where you have a cultural affinity? This was the way in.”

Williams joined the inaugural cohort of B-Direct, a U.S.-based, Africa-centric board preparation and placement programme founded by Yon in collaboration with board governance and cross-cultural strategy experts Andra Ward and Henri Ward. Designed to address challenges on both sides of the Atlantic, B-Direct supports Black professionals in the U.S. navigating a scarcity of paid board roles, while helping to scale African companies unlocking more leadership and employment opportunities.

“The programme bridges cultural and market divides, equipping African-American leaders with the tools to contribute effectively and connecting U.S. investors to trusted, on-the-ground networks in Africa,” Yon adds.

After completing the B-Direct curriculum, Williams met Audrey Verhaege, CEO of Anza Capital, at the Africa Diaspora Investment Summit, a flagship event organised by the non-profit arm of CyberAlliance, which Yon also co-founded. That meeting led to Williams’s board role at Anza.

“Something often underestimated is how valuable the African global diaspora can be to Africa’s development and to scaling businesses across and beyond Africa,” says Yon. “Black Americans should be among South Africa’s most natural international partners.”

Yon believes Africa needs smart, patient capital to fuel innovation. “The diaspora offers access to the different types of capital Africa needs. When African-Americans invest with patient capital, their trust and activity can be catalytic. It unlocks more capital from peers and institutions.”

He adds that these investors also bring practical value, such as introductions to U.S. corporate buyers. “More than money, this work advances historic U.S.-Africa relations from aid to alignment.”

Anza Capital, Yon notes, understands this deeply. Going beyond writing cheques, they build ecosystems that de-risk investments. “They understand the value of bringing people like Robert on board, people who offer expertise, market access and networks.”

Williams is optimistic, even as international partnership priorities are evolving for some U.S. leaders. “Federal investment is not the only option,” he says, noting conversations he’s had with leaders in the State of Maryland about foreign direct investment and a focus in life sciences, an industry with parallels to the Anza portfolio. “States, universities, private endowments, they still want to find growth and create global impact.”

William’s appointment to Anza Capital is reflective of an emerging parallel support network for African entrepreneurship driven by individuals who see a dual mandate: business opportunity and a shared identity.

After decades of helping large corporations grow for profit, Williams wants to help founders who reflect his heritage and are solving problems that matter. While some may retreat to a familiar status quo, Williams is leaning in – with capital, connection and conviction – toward a more collaborative, cross-cultural future.