Startup Researcher - Africa: Week 35, 2025

This week on Startup Researcher Africa, we bring you a comprehensive roundup of the latest startup and venture capital developments shaping Africa’s innovation landscape.

00:22 Important News
01:02 Top Funding Rounds
01:48 Notable Exits
02:03 Startup of the Week
02:26 Investor of the Week
02:46 Opportunity Radar

We begin with key regulatory changes across the continent. In Kenya, the Central Bank is reforming lending practices by tying rates to the KESONIA benchmark to improve transparency and policy effectiveness. Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission has launched probes into fintech insurers and pension firms, ensuring compliance with data privacy rules. Ghana has officially classified digital credit services as non-bank financial institutions, tightening oversight in the sector. Meanwhile, the London Stock Exchange is rolling out new rules to attract African firms, as it competes with Nasdaq and the NYSE. Also in Kenya, mobility startup eBee Africa has downsized its team and scaled back e-bike operations amid weak demand and rising costs.

On the funding front, Poowa Internet secured $4 million in debt financing from Finnfund with backing from Nokia, aiming to expand affordable broadband and close Kenya’s digital divide. In Egypt, fintech startup Munify joined Y Combinator’s Summer 2025 batch and raised $3 million in seed funding to simplify global remittances. Additionally, TRANSFORM—an initiative by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY—awarded $663,000 to five East African enterprises advancing circular economy solutions and supporting local livelihoods.

In M&A news, AfriCar Group acquired Côte d’Ivoire’s Koto.ci, reinforcing its pan-African auto ecosystem that now reaches over 15 million users, while also pushing forward electric vehicle adoption across the region.

Our Startup of the Week is Nile, a B2B agritech marketplace founded in 2021. Backed by AfricInvest, Naspers Foundry, and FMO, Nile has raised $17 million, including $11.3 million in July 2025, to streamline trading, logistics, and financing for farmers across Africa.

Our Investor of the Week spotlight is on The Baobab Network, a Nairobi-based accelerator launched in 2016. The firm invests $100,000 for 12.5% equity and has supported over 65 startups, including Terminal Africa, Lemonade Payments, and Vove ID.

We close with an opportunity highlight: the Water Innovation Challenge 2025 by RootCamp and K+S, open for applications until September 7. The program targets startups working on water management, brine treatment, and salt valorization, with final pitches scheduled for October and November.

Tune in for insights that matter across Africa’s startup and VC scene.