Africa’s startup ecosystem saw a strong rebound in April 2025, with 39 startups raising a total of $343 million across equity deals above $100,000, including debt and grants, according to data from Africa: The Big Deal. This marks a sharp recovery from March’s funding dip and makes it the second-highest April on record for tech funding on the continent, trailing only the April 2022 surge.
The surge was fueled by a few standout mega deals.
The big hitters: South African healthtech startup hearX led the charge, securing $100 million through a merger with US-based Eargo. Egypt’s Islamic fintech Bokra raised approximately $59 million via a sukuk issuance, one of the largest Sharia-compliant fundraising rounds in the region. Meanwhile, South African payments infrastructure startup Stitch pulled in $55 million from existing investors as it ramps up efforts to offer end-to-end payment solutions across Africa.
April’s surge brings total funding for African startups to $803 million across 163 ventures in the first four months of 2025—up 43% from the $563 million raised by 147 startups during the same period in 2024. After a sluggish January, this rebound signals renewed investor confidence and a strengthening appetite for African innovation.
In April, over four exits were recorded, mostly involving fintechs. These exits underscore a maturing African tech ecosystem that not only builds strategic value but also attracts cross-border investor interest, reassuring stakeholders about the continent’s return potential.
Egypt’s ADVA was acquired by UAE-based Maseera; Nigeria’s Bankly was bought by C-One Ventures; and South Africa’s Peach Payments snapped up Senegalese fintech PayDunya to enter Francophone West Africa. These exits, spread across North, West, and Southern Africa, not only signal pan-African consolidation but also validate investor confidence in strategic acquisitions as a pathway to scale.
Together, these exits complement April’s $343 million funding surge, reinforcing investor confidence in Africa’s tech ecosystem. They reflect a growing appetite for sustainable growth, strategic expansion, and ultimately, the return potential that has long underpinned the continent’s innovation story.
