After a sluggish March, Africa’s startup funding experienced a significant boost in April 2025. Over 39 startups across the continent secured $343 million, marking a substantial increase from the $50 million recorded in March 2025.
In January, African startups collectively raised $289 million; in February, the continent secured $119 million, and in March, funding sat at $50 million.
This April’s performance brings the year-to-date funding to $803 million across 163 deals, a 43% increase compared to the same period in 2024, where African startups raised $563 million between January and April. At least 225 investors have participated in deals of $100,000 or more in 2025.
One of the major deals recorded is South Africa’s healthtech startup, hearX, which raised $100 million through its merger with the US-based hearing aid firm, Eargo. This marked one of the top deals (worth $100 million or more) in Africa since January 2025.
Also, Bokra, an Egyptian Islamic fintech platform, raised $59 million via a sukuk issuance, which is a rare move for a startup just a year after its $4.6 million pre-seed round.
South Africa’s Stitch secured $55 million in follow-on funding from existing investors, doubling down on its goal to build end-to-end payment solutions across the continent.
Other significant deals include Egypt’s ADVA, which was acquired by Maseera, Nigeria’s Bankly, which was acquired by investment company C-One, and South Africa’s Peach Payments, which was acquired by PayDunna for expansion into Francophone West Africa.
Interestingly, South Africa and Egypt stood out in April 2025, with substantial funding rounds in both countries. However, Nigeria and Kenya, typically among the top funding destinations, were less prominent in the month of April.
After leading Africa’s startup funding landscape in 2024 with a remarkable $638 million raised, which was 29% of the continent’s total, Kenya experienced a subdued April 2025.
However, the rebound for startup funding in April suggests renewed investor confidence in Africa’s startup ecosystem. There was increased visibility of local African funds and diaspora-backed VCs.
