Building Financial Infrastructure for Africa’s Future

Victoria Olayide Adesanya, founder of VOA Venture Partners, takes a unique approach to venture capital. Instead of making investment decisions based on pitches and traditional due diligence, she insists on spending six months working inside potential portfolio companies.

VOA focuses on financial infrastructure startups that facilitate the movement of money into and out of Africa—the often-overlooked backbone of the digital economy. Adesanya argues this immersive approach provides insights that conventional methods miss, allowing her to identify founders with the resilience and vision to build truly transformative businesses.

Beyond Consumer Fintech

Adesanya’s thesis centers on B2B financial solutions rather than consumer-facing apps, targeting gaps in infrastructure that enable broader economic participation. Two illustrative portfolio companies demonstrate this focus:

• Blockradar allows fintechs to offer stablecoin wallets through APIs—expanding access without requiring specialized blockchain expertise.
• REasy facilitates cross-border payments for small businesses trading with suppliers in China and Dubai.

This approach addresses a critical need in Africa’s evolving financial landscape, where early-stage funding is increasingly scarce. According to data from Africa: The Big Deal, the number of African startups raising between $100,000 and $1 million fell by 44% in the first half of 2026.

The VOA Build Program

Adesanya’s commitment extends beyond capital. Through VOA Build, the firm provides hands-on support as an additional go-to-market strategist—with no investment required upfront. In return for this assistance, VOA earns a share of revenue generated and a small equity stake that vests over time.

This model addresses a key challenge for African startups: access to expertise alongside funding. By providing both, VOA aims to accelerate growth while ensuring alignment with founders’ long-term vision.

A Deeper Perspective on Africa’s Potential

Adesanya’s experience spans finance roles at Barclays and Credit Suisse, as well as advisory work for investment banks like Morgan Stanley. She believes the continent is poised for greater global economic integration but requires targeted investments in foundational infrastructure to realize its full potential.

“We want to change that,” she explains, “and we want more global businesses to set up on the continent.” By backing the financial rails that enable seamless transactions and cross-border commerce, VOA seeks to unlock new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and accelerate the continent’s economic transformation.