WSO2 Africa has taken a major step with the opening of the company’s first Africa-based office in Johannesburg, South Africa. WSO2 is an enterprise digital infrastructure technology company. The move underscores the continent’s growing importance to its global business.

The investment comes at a busy time. Governments, banks, telecommunications providers and retailers across Africa are speeding up efforts to modernize legacy systems. They are also preparing their digital foundations for AI.

The Johannesburg office marks the next phase of WSO2’s expansion across Africa. Over the coming years, the company plans to enter more markets across East, West and North Africa. It says it will take a measured approach focused on long-term value creation and strong local partnerships.

The announcement also precedes WSO2Con Africa, which takes place in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 22 to 24. It is the first time WSO2 has brought its flagship technology conference to the continent. Business and technology leaders will discuss modernization, integration, digital sovereignty and the emergence of agentic AI.

“Africa isn’t a peripheral market for WSO2. It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of our business, and this office launch reflects our long-term commitment to the region,” said Dinal Gooneratne, WSO2’s Vice President and General Manager for Africa. He added, “Organizations across the continent are moving from experimentation to execution. Establishing a permanent presence in Johannesburg allows us to work more closely with customers and partners as they modernize critical systems and adopt AI at scale.”

The numbers back up that commitment. Africa has been one of WSO2’s fastest-growing regions over the past two years, with approximately 30% year-on-year revenue growth. Its customer base has grown from around 40 to more than 65 organizations. As a result, its footprint now covers 25 countries across the continent, including recent growth in Benin, Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire.

Public-sector adoption has been a key driver of this momentum. Uganda’s National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U), Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and the Government of Malawi use WSO2’s technology. So do the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Uganda Revenue Authority and Lesotho Revenue Services. They use it to deliver secure, connected digital services for citizens and businesses.

WSO2 attributes its growth in Africa to three converging trends. First, demand for digital-first experiences is rising across industries. Second, investment in legacy modernization is increasing. Third, interest is growing in AI initiatives that need secure, connected and governed digital infrastructure.

The platform is built on an open-source foundation. Organizations can deploy it across cloud, on-premises and hybrid environments while keeping control of their data and digital infrastructure. This approach aligns with the growing emphasis on digital sovereignty and open standards in the region. That includes principles outlined in Kenya’s recently unveiled draft AI policy.

Regional partners have also enabled the expansion. WSO2 Africa plans to invest further in these relationships to provide localized expertise and support across the continent.

Partners have welcomed the news. Steven Grundlingh, Business Development Executive at DeARX, said, “WSO2’s decision to establish a permanent presence in Johannesburg sends a strong signal to the market. We’ve seen firsthand how its open-source, API-first approach enables organizations to modernize and digitally transform into and within the new interconnected business ecosystems. Having WSO2 on the ground will accelerate collaboration and deliver even greater value for our shared customers.”

Shailendra Yadav, CEO at Sybyl Kenya, also commented. “As governments and financial institutions across Africa increasingly prioritize data sovereignty and open standards, WSO2 is well positioned to support those ambitions. This investment strengthens our confidence in bringing WSO2 into more public-sector engagements across the region,” he said.

To learn more about WSO2 Africa, attendees can join WSO2Con Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 22 to 24. Participants will take part in hands-on workshops. They will also hear customer stories on how organizations are building, governing and scaling AI agents.

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