Fintech and Logistics Dominate African Start-up Funding in H1 2026
African startups raised $1.35 billion in the first half of 2026 (excluding exits), but the headline figure masks an
• 7 min read
The founder's reference library
How African startups raise money
Guides, analysis and a deal archive on startup funding, venture capital and policy across Africa. South Africa first.
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Every piece is dated, so you can judge how current it is.
Seed, Series A and B, valuation, convertible loans, SAFEs, cap tables, ESOPs and exits: how the money works.
- African Startup Exit Strategies: A Guide for Founders and Investors
- How to Build a Startup ESOP in Africa: A Complete Founder’s Guide
- Anti-Dilution Strategies for Startups: A Complete Guide
How African VCs decide, who they are, and what they look for in founders.
- How SA Startups Can Scale into Africa: What Investors Want
- Top Funded Startups in Africa (2019–2025): Key Trends and Insights
- The 'Founder’s Test': How VCs Assess Startup Founders
Funding, sectors and startup laws across the continent's main ecosystems.
- African Startup Ecosystems 2026: South Africa Leads as Cape Town Surges Ahead
- Top African Startup Sectors to Watch in 2026: A VC and Investor Guide
- 2025 Guide to the Tunisia Startup Act: Benefits, Funding & Investor Opportunities
Building a tech startup in Africa and growing it across markets.
- Top 10 African Startups to Watch in 2026: Fintech, AI & Climate Leaders
- How to Start a Tech Startup in Africa (2025 Guide)
- How SA Startups Scale: Lessons from Top Founders
Incubators and accelerators worth knowing, plus an archive of past calls for applications.
- Giga Accelerator Opens Applications for African Tech Startups
- Google for Startups Accelerator Opens for SA AI Startups
- Sanlam Fintech Accelerator Now Open
Arguments about African startup funding: what the numbers mean and where the conventional wisdom is wrong.
- Why South Africa Has Become Africa's Digital Infrastructure Investment Capital
- South Africa’s SME Funding Problem Isn’t Capital — It’s Execution
- Kenya Leads African Startup Funding in 2025 as Big Four Dominate
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Analysis
South Africa’s SME Funding Problem Isn’t Capital — It’s Execution
For years, the dominant narrative in South Africa’s startup and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem has been that businesses struggle because they cannot access funding. While access to capital remains a
Funding rounds, new funds and acquisitions reported in 2025 and 2026.
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The newest pieces, with dates.
Fintech and Logistics Dominate African Start-up Funding in H1 2026
African startups raised $1.35 billion in the first half of 2026 (excluding exits), but the headline figure masks an
• 7 min read
African Startup Funding Hits $1.4 Billion in H1 2026 as June Sparks Recovery
African start-ups raised close to $1.4 billion in funding during the first half of 2026, delivering a funding
• 6 min read
African Startup Ecosystems 2026: South Africa Leads as Cape Town Surges Ahead
South Africa has retained its position as Africa’s leading startup ecosystem on a per-capita basis, according to the
• 9 min read
African Startup Exit Strategies: A Guide for Founders and Investors
Africa’s startup ecosystem is entering a more disciplined phase, where African startup exit strategies are becoming as important as
• 6 min read
Why South Africa Has Become Africa's Digital Infrastructure Investment Capital
When the global investment community talks about Africa's technology moment, the conversation gravitates predictably towards Lagos fintech unicorns,
• 7 min read
South Africa’s SME Funding Problem Isn’t Capital — It’s Execution
For years, the dominant narrative in South Africa’s startup and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem has been
• 6 min read