Hello there,
Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Africa, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍
If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.
Ready? Let’s get right into it.
📰 Important News
- TymeBank is planning legal action over South Africa's ID fee hike, warning it would hurt fintechs and block financial inclusion.
- Flutterwave launched digital payments in Cameroon after securing a BEAC license via Ecobank, expanding across Francophone Africa.
- Google for Startups selected 15 AI startups from 7 countries for its Africa accelerator, offering $350,000 in credits and mentorship.
- Peach Payments launched Digit Pro POS, enabling unified BNPL and payment tracking to support omni-channel commerce in South Africa.
- Wahu introduced the Wahu Hero app, integrating payments, maintenance, and smart mobility services with its electric bikes in West Africa.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Better Auth raised $5 million to grow its open-source authentication platform, giving developers flexible, self-hosted identity tools.
- Complete Farmer secured $2.5 million in EU-backed funding to expand its agri-platform and build fulfilment centers for smallholder farmers in Ghana.
- Nowlun landed $600,000 to scale its AI-powered logistics tools and modernize freight operations across Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
- Shoptreo secured funding from Rebel Seed Capital to digitize artisan markets and empower African makers with e-commerce tools.
- Roomz.rent closed a pre-seed round led by Qora71 to grow its AI-based co-living rental platform tackling affordability in MENA cities.
💰️ Notable Exits
- Lesaka Technologies agreed to buy Bank Zero for $61.6 million, aiming to become a fully licensed digital bank with zero-fee fintech services.
- Amazon acquired a 3.95% stake in Valu after its EGX debut, marking a strong vote of confidence in Egypt’s growing fintech ecosystem.
- BAS Group purchased a majority stake in Zuvy to scale invoice-backed SME credit and close Nigeria’s $236 billion credit access gap.
- Chowdeck acquired Mira to integrate POS and restaurant tech into its delivery platform, boosting vendor operations across Africa.
🏦 About Investors
- Aria Ventures launched a $1 million initiative to fund deeptech startups in Egypt via a venture studio and the DeepTecher competition.
- Beltone Leasing secured $20 million from SANAD and GGF to finance MSMEs and green projects, advancing inclusion and sustainability across MENA.
🚀 Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Better Auth
Better Auth is an Ethiopian open-source authentication startup founded in 2024 by self-taught developer Bereket Engida to give programmers more flexible, self-hosted identity tools. Built from his bedroom in Addis Ababa, the project quickly gained global traction, attracting over 150,000 weekly downloads and thousands of contributors and users. In recognition of its rapid growth and developer impact, Better Auth secured a $5 million seed round led by Peak XV Partners with participation from Y Combinator, Chapter One, P1 Ventures, and several angel investors.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
Aria Ventures
Aria Ventures, an Egypt-based venture studio founded by Dr. Amr Al-Awamry, has positioned itself as a key builder of early-stage deeptech startups focused on advanced fields like AI, biotech, and robotics. With its hands-on studio model, the firm supports high-tech ventures from concept to market through R&D backing, infrastructure, and expert mentoring. In 2025, Aria Ventures launched a $1 million initiative to fund science-driven startups, with plans to scale to $4 million by 2029.
🤑 Opportunity Radar
Call for applications: Northern Light Accelerator
Northern Light Accelerator is now accepting applications from international startups ready to expand into Europe. This equity-free, founder-first program runs from September 1 to November 30, 2025, at Helsinki’s Maria 01 campus, offering tailored mentorship, market access, and office space in one of Europe’s leading startup ecosystems. Targeted at early-stage founders and global teams, it includes a Demo Day during Slush and long-term support beyond the program. Apply by August 1, 2025, to secure your spot.
Thank you for joining us this week! We trust you found value in our latest edition. 🚀
Your feedback is invaluable to us, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts. We're committed to continuously improving and delivering content tailored to your interests and needs 📩
Looking forward to staying connected and bringing you more exciting content next time!