Ugandan technology startup, XenFi, is expanding its footprint across Africa after developing a digital platform that helps internet service providers (ISPs) and Wi-Fi hotspot operators manage customers, sell internet access and collect payments through a centralised system.
Founded in 2025, the company says it has become profitable, employs more than 100 people and serves customers in nearly 15 African countries, with approximately 6,000 active users in Uganda.
Its growing reach includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Gabon, highlighting its ambition to address operational challenges facing businesses that provide paid internet access.
According to General Manager Charles Wasswa, XenFi combines several essential business functions in one platform, helping operators simplify their operations, monitor transactions and manage multiple routers while preparing to enter more African markets.
What is XenFi and What Does It Do?
XenFi is a Ugandan technology startup that develops hotspot billing and management software for internet service providers and businesses selling Wi-Fi access.
Rather than operating primarily as an internet provider, the company supplies digital tools that help existing operators manage their networks, customers and payments more efficiently.
Its platform enables businesses to sell internet packages, manage customer access, issue vouchers, monitor transactions and administer multiple compatible MikroTik routers from a centralised dashboard.
MikroTik is a networking equipment manufacturer whose routers are widely used by internet providers and network administrators.
The platform also integrates mobile money payments, allowing operators to connect payment collection with their internet-selling activities. This is particularly relevant in African markets, where mobile money plays an important role in everyday financial transactions.
“XenFi brings these functions together through a centralised platform that supports mobile money payments and simplifies the management of hotspot businesses,” Wasswa said.
By combining these services, XenFi aims to provide a single management solution for businesses that would otherwise depend on separate tools or manual processes.
What Problem is XenFi Trying to Solve?
Operating a paid Wi-Fi business involves more than purchasing an internet connection and installing routers. Operators must manage customer access, determine which customers have paid, sell internet vouchers, monitor revenue, troubleshoot network equipment and keep accurate transaction records.
When these activities are handled separately, businesses can encounter administrative delays, payment-tracking difficulties and operational inefficiencies.
XenFi is designed to address these challenges by bringing essential management functions together in one system.
For an operator running several hotspots, the platform can simplify the process of monitoring transactions and managing multiple routers without requiring each location to be administered independently.
Wasswa explained that many operators struggle with fragmented systems and manual processes that make it difficult to track transactions, maintain efficiency and expand their businesses.
The company’s approach is particularly relevant to small and growing internet businesses seeking to serve more customers without proportionately increasing their administrative workload.
However, the platform’s actual impact on individual operators’ costs and productivity was not quantified in the report.
How XenFi Makes Money and Why Profitability Matters
XenFi generates revenue through platform charges, billing fees and transaction-related fees, with the amounts varying according to the service provided and the market in which it operates.
This model allows the company to earn income from businesses using its software to manage their internet services and payment activities.
As customers expand their operations and process more transactions through the platform, XenFi has opportunities to increase its revenue alongside their growth. The approach links the company’s commercial performance to the activity of the internet businesses it serves.
Wasswa said the startup was self-funded by its founders, a decision that required careful financial management from the beginning.
“Starting without relying on external investors required us to be disciplined in how we allocated resources, developed our technology and acquired customers,” he said.
The GM also disclosed that XenFi was already profitable and employed more than 100 people. Rather than treating profitability as its final objective, the company intends to reinvest in technology, operations and customer acquisition.
Although the report provides no audited financial statements or specific revenue figures, the company’s reported profitability represents an important milestone for a relatively young startup.
XenFi’s Growing Presence Across African Markets
Since its establishment in 2025, XenFi has expanded beyond its home market of Uganda to serve customers in nearly 15 African countries.
Its reported markets include Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Gabon, demonstrating its ambition to build a presence across different parts of the continent.
The company reports approximately 6,000 active users in Uganda, although the figure should not be interpreted as its total user base across all markets. It has also established a physical presence in Kenya, signalling an effort to support its expansion through a more direct local presence.
According to Wasswa, adoption beyond Uganda has been encouraging, with businesses in other African markets welcoming the platform as a solution for managing hotspot operations and payments.
The expansion reflects an opportunity for technology companies to adapt their products to the practical needs of African businesses.
Nevertheless, operating across multiple countries requires XenFi to accommodate different payment systems, customer expectations, connectivity conditions and regulatory frameworks.
The company says its next priorities include strengthening its presence in existing markets, building local partnerships and entering additional African countries.
Competition, Challenges and XenFi’s Expansion Strategy
XenFi competes with international hotspot billing platforms, regional technology providers, locally developed billing tools and operators who continue to manage their businesses manually.
Its stated competitive advantages include a focus on African market requirements, integrated payment capabilities and ease of use.
However, the company’s expansion strategy faces challenges arising from differences between national markets. Payment systems that work in one country may not be readily transferable to another, while regulatory requirements, internet infrastructure and customer expectations can vary considerably.
Wasswa acknowledged these difficulties, describing international expansion as “a continuous learning process.” He also stressed the importance of maintaining reliable services, providing effective customer support and continuously improving the product.
These priorities are particularly important because internet operators depend on reliable systems to serve customers and collect revenue. Any disruption to billing or access management could affect their daily operations and customer relationships.
XenFi therefore intends to combine geographic expansion with improvements to its technology and stronger local partnerships. Its long-term prospects will depend partly on its ability to maintain service reliability, adapt to different markets and demonstrate lasting value to operators.
“We are proud of how far we have come, but we see this as the beginning of a much larger journey,” Wasswa said.
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