This week on Startup Researcher Africa: TymeBank challenges rising national ID fees in South Africa, Flutterwave expands to Cameroon, and Google for Startups unveils its latest AI accelerator cohort. We dive into: In this episode, we cover: 00:23 Important News 01:24 Top Funding Rounds 02:14 Notable Exits 02:53 About Investors 03:17 Startup of the Week 03:43 Investor of the Week 04:09 Opportunity Radar Top Headlines: TymeBank (South Africa): The digital bank is set to contest the proposed hike in national ID verification fees, warning it could hinder financial inclusion. Flutterwave (Cameroon): The fintech giant launches digital payments in Cameroon after securing a key license, deepening its presence in Francophone Africa. Google for Startups (Africa): Fifteen AI-first startups from seven African nations are selected for the latest accelerator, gaining access to mentorship and up to $350,000 in credits. Peach Payments (South Africa): A look at the new "Digit Pro" point-of-sale system, integrating buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) for omnichannel retailers. Wahu (West Africa): The e-mobility startup rolls out the "Wahu Hero" app, a super app for its electric bike riders. Funding News: Better Auth ($5M Seed): The open-source authentication platform, our featured startup, closes a major seed round led by Peak XV Partners to fuel its growth. Complete Farmer ($2.5M): The Ghanaian agritech startup secures EU-backed funding to expand its platform for smallholder farmers. Nowlun ($600k): The Egyptian logistics startup scales its AI-powered freight solutions with fresh capital. Shoptreo (Undisclosed): Rebel Seed Capital backs the e-commerce platform for artisans. Roomz.rent (Pre-Seed): The AI-driven co-living platform for MENA cities attracts pre-seed investment. Acquisitions & Exits: Lesaka Technologies & Bank Zero: Lesaka agrees to a $61.6M deal to acquire the digital bank. Amazon & Valu: Amazon takes a 3.95% stake in the Egyptian fintech following its IPO. BAS Group & Zuvy: The Nigerian investment group acquires a majority stake in the invoice financing startup. Chowdeck & Mira: The delivery platform acquires restaurant tech company Mira to enhance vendor operations. Investor & Ecosystem News: Aria Ventures (Egypt): Our investor in the spotlight, this venture studio launches a $1M program for deep-tech startups. Beltone Leasing (Egypt): Secures $20M to boost financing for MSMEs and green projects. Northern Light Accelerator (Finland): An opportunity for African startups looking to expand into Europe. Tune in to get the full story on these developments and more. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just passionate about African tech, this is your essential weekly briefing.
Startup Researcher - Africa: Week 26, 2025
June 30, 2025
