African startups started 2026 with renewed momentum in tech funding, which picked up in 2025. According to Partech’s latest Africa Tech Venture Capital report, total funding, across equity and debt, reached approximately $4.1 billion in 2025. This marks about a 25% increase compared to the previous year and is the highest level since 2022, with deal activity increasing to 570 transactions.
This growth was mainly driven by larger ticket sizes and record debt activity, indicating a market gaining momentum despite selective capital allocation. Debt financing increased to approximately $1.6 billion, a rise of over 6% year-on-year, making up more than 40% of total funding. Meanwhile, equity investment grew by around 8%, with deal numbers remaining relatively steady. The investment activity was primarily led by sectors including enterprise software, e-commerce, CleanTech, and mobility.
In 2025, African tech funding and deal activity stayed highly concentrated, with the leading four markets continuing to dominate the majority of capital and transactions. Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria represented 72% of total funding, up from 69% in 2024. On the equity side, Series A and Series B stages saw increases in both deal count and capital invested, along with higher average ticket sizes across funding stages.
That momentum set the tone for the opening months of 2026, as a fresh cohort of African startups secured some of the continent’s biggest funding rounds across sectors including FinTech, cybersecurity, clean energy, MobilityTech, and DefenceTech. In this list, we spotlight the 10 largest startup funding rounds announced across Africa in Q1 2026, highlighting the companies that attracted the most investor confidence in the opening months of the year. There is an added reason to pay attention: five of these well-funded startups are currently hiring.
Check them out below!
Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Founded in: 2004
Hiring: Yes, apply here
HQ: Ebene
Liquid Intelligent Technologies provides internet connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions to businesses and governments across Africa. They own and operate a fibre network spanning over 110,000 km. Beyond connectivity, they work with global technology partners to offer tailored tech solutions to both large enterprises and smaller businesses. It is a part of Cassava Technologies, which operates across more than 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Funding: The company secured $410 million in new credit facilities, and Cassava Technologies also invested an additional US$195 million in fresh capital.
SolarAfrica
Founded in: 2011
Hiring: Yes, apply here
HQ: Gauteng
SolarAfrica specialises in solar energy solutions for businesses in South Africa. The company started out focusing on solar finance through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) — essentially allowing businesses to go solar without upfront capital investment. Over the years, SolarAfrica’s offering has expanded to include battery storage, green gas, and electricity trading options.
Funding: The company secured $94 million from RMB and Investec Bank Limited.
Spiro
Founded in: 2014
Hiring: Yes, apply here
HQ: Nairobi
Spiro is an electric motorcycle company also known for its battery-swapping network across Africa. Instead of charging a motorcycle, riders swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one at any of their 2,500+ stations. With over 80,000 electric motorcycles on the road and 30 million battery swaps completed, they’ve helped clock over 1 billion km of low-carbon travel.
Funding: The company raised $50 million in debt funding from Afreximbank and two new investors, Nithio and Africa Go Green Fund.
Breadfast
Founded in: 2017
Hiring: No
HQ: Cairo
Breadfast is an Egypt-based grocery delivery platform that delivers bakeries, fruits, veggies, groceries and household essentials directly to customers’ doors. The company is focused on making everyday essentials more convenient to access.
Funding: The company raised $50 million in a pre-Series C round
Terra Industries
Founded in: 2024
Hiring: No
HQ: Abuja
Terra Industries is a defence and security technology company building systems for African governments and infrastructure operators. The company has developed integrated land, air, and maritime solutions via its own software platform, ArtemisOS, which ties it all together for large-scale security operations.
Terra Industries work across sectors like energy, mining, border security, and counterterrorism.
Funding: The DefenceTech company raised an additional $22 million in funding, led by Lux Capital. The strategic funding extends its previously announced $11.8 million round, bringing total funding in the round to $34 million.
NowPay
Founded in: 2019
Hiring: Yes, apply here
HQ: Cairo
NowPay is a FinTech company that helps corporate employees manage their finances. The firm works directly with companies to offer their workforce financial wellness tools, with a focus on payroll-related solutions.
Funding: The company secured a $20 million investment from Tas’heel.
GoCab
Founded in: 2024
Hiring: No
HQ: London
GoCab is a financial solutions company focused on empowering drivers and couriers across emerging markets. The company offers flexible vehicle leasing and ownership options, using data and credit scoring to make financing accessible to people who might not qualify through traditional means.
Besides, GoCab’s all-in-one app bundles together a digital wallet, debit card, mobile data, buy now pay later options, and health insurance.
Funding: The company secured $45 million in strategic funding, comprising $15 million in equity and $30 million in debt.
MAX (Metro Africa Xpress)
Founded in: 2015
Hiring: No
HQ: Lagos
MAX is a MobilityTech company that provides commercial drivers with vehicle subscriptions, focusing on high-performance and low-emission vehicles. The company’s goal is to give drivers the means to build income and financial independence, with an ambition to reach 100 million Africans.
Funding: The company secured $24 million in equity and debt financing.
Yakeey
Founded in: 2022
Hiring: Yes, apply here
HQ: Casablanca
Yakeey is an online real estate marketplace that makes buying, selling, and renting property simpler. The company uses data and technology to connect buyers, sellers, and renters on a single platform, called YakeeyPRO.
Funding: Yakeey raised over $15 million in Series A funding
Flextock
Founded in: 2021
Hiring: No
HQ: Cairo
Flextock is a commerce operations company, operating in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It handles the behind-the-scenes work that online businesses need to scale, from warehousing and fulfilment to delivery, cross-border shipping, and access to sales channels.
Flextock also offers embedded financing and ties it all together through a platform to make the whole process manageable.
Funding: The company raised $12.6M Series A led by TLcom Capital
