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
- Peach Payments partnered with RelyComply to strengthen AML and KYC, supporting scalable cross-border payments and pan-African expansion.
- BasiGo expanded Nairobi’s electric bus network with three charging depots and a service center, preparing a fourth site to boost clean transport.
- Deepecho partnered with Rosh MFM to deploy AI ultrasound for high-risk pregnancies, while researching new biomarkers and improving outcomes.
- Lifestores Healthcare appointed co-founder Pharm Gloria Udekwe as CEO, while co-founder Andrew Garza moved to an advisory role.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Solar Saversecured $10 million from Swedfund to scale affordable solar and battery systems for SMEs across Southern Africa.
- Lula Lend raised a $10 million loan from IFC to scale its digital working capital platform and expand fast, flexible financing.
- ICE Solar received $250,000 from All On to expand solar and battery systems for 2,000+ Nigerian SMEs, cutting costs and boosting energy reliability.
💰️ Notable Exits
- Rank rebranded from Moni after acquiring AjoMoney and Zazzau Microfinance Bank to digitize community savings and expand regulated financial services while deepening its focus on Nigeria.
🏦 About Investors
- Nigeria is launching two iDICE funds in 2026 to boost funding for tech and creative startups and drive innovation-led growth nationwide.
- IFC is planning to invest up to $15 million in Catalyst MENA Climate Fund II, which targets renewable energy and water projects in MENA.
- The Resilient Futures Fund backed four women-led climate-smart investors, WEAV, WIC, MSFA and Sahara, to build resilience and gender inclusion.
- MNT-Halan and Azimut Egypt launched the Halan AZ Real Estate Fund, giving investors regulated digital access to Egypt’s property market.
🚀Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Spiro
Founded in 2019 in Nairobi, Spiro has evolved from a scrappy electric motorbike concept into one of Africa’s most ambitious e-mobility infrastructure companies. The startup now operates across at least six countries, coupling its commercial-grade electric motorcycles with a vast battery swapping network, local assembly hubs, rider financing, fast charging, fleet software, and even its own ride-hailing product. Backed by more than $280 million from investors including Equitane Group, Afreximbank, FEDA, and Société Générale, Spiro recently raised $100 million to scale battery production and expand its swap network. Led by CEO Kaushik Burman alongside founder Gagan Gupta, the team is pushing to electrify African transport at scale, positioning clean mobility as both a climate solution and an income-boosting engine for millions of riders.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
Wita Ventures
Founded in 2020 in Casablanca, Wita Ventures has quickly become one of North Africa’s most active early-stage VCs, backing Morocco’s next generation of founders with a focused thesis and a regional outlook. Investing mainly in edtech, fintech, healthtech, hospitalitytech, and sportech, the firm writes flexible pre-seed and seed checks of roughly $200,000 to $600,000. Its portfolio includes Kezakoo, DataPathology, Colis, Washminute, and Talaty, reflecting a bias toward practical, scalable solutions. Led by GPs Hiba Mrani Alaoui and Omar Lemrabet, Wita Ventures differentiates itself through deep local leadership, hands-on company building, and a Morocco-first, region-next strategy. Its mission centers on turning the country’s early founder momentum into sustainable growth across Francophone Africa and the wider MENA region.
🤑Opportunity Radar
Call for Applications: The Imagine H2O Accelerator
The Imagine H2O Accelerator is now open for applications until December 19, 2025, offering a zero-equity program designed to help early-stage water and climate tech founders scale globally. Startups gain access to world-class mentorship, pilot funding, investor networks, and a strong industry ecosystem, with participation open to teams worldwide, including all African markets. The 2026 program cycle begins soon, supporting innovators developing breakthrough solutions across water management, quality, access, and sustainability. Apply now to accelerate your technology and enter new markets.
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!