Africa's startups face challenges but secure $2.2 billion in funding

In 2024, Africa witnessed a notable drop in funding for tech startups, resulting in $2.2 billion raised in equity, debt, and grants—significantly lower than the nearly $4.6 billion collected in 2022. The report highlighting this information was published by Africa: the Big Deal, a consultancy focusing on the continent’s startup ecosystem. Interestingly, despite this downturn, the second half of 2024 showed some signs of recovery, suggesting that the market dynamics could be shifting positively. By the end of February 2025, startups across Africa managed to secure $408 million in funding, marking one of the best starts since 2019, despite the challenges faced. This moment of recovery is viewed as a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs, who are currently working on building the necessary infrastructure to support innovation and address issues arising from gaps in physical and digital infrastructure. Key players in the African tech ecosystem have pointed out that while investors often find the continent high-risk—due to political instability and other infrastructural challenges—there is immense potential for rapid growth, especially in sectors like healthcare and financial technology. Stakeholders argue that recent developments in payment technologies and other areas are paving the way for future opportunities. Consequently, the view among many industry observers is that as the economy stabilizes, there may be significant openings for entrepreneurs to innovate and grow. Amidst these funding challenges, companies are becoming more pragmatic about valuations, focusing on sustainable growth rather than just rapid expansion. Experts like Emefo and Kara emphasize the importance of laying down a solid foundation that future innovations can build upon, highlighting that this period might be seen as simply pre-early stages for African tech. Moreover, with the potential for recovery linked to key markets like Nigeria, the continental narrative is gradually transforming as new regions emerge as hubs for innovation, even as regulatory landscapes and investment climates fluctuate. As Africa's tech ecosystem begins to recover gradually, the combination of young, dynamic entrepreneurs with a purpose-driven approach is helping reshape perceptions of risk and opportunity within the continent's economic landscape. The growing optimism among investors remains tempered, however, as they await clearer signs of profitability and returns on their investments.