How many funding rounds did startups in Africa raise in 2018?

11 disclosed rounds are on the StartupList Africa record for this view as of 17 Oct 2026, listed newest first.

How often is funding data updated?

Our funding database is updated daily. We track disclosed rounds from press releases, regulatory filings, investor announcements, and verified startup submissions.

What funding stages are tracked?

We track all stages including Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A through Series E+, as well as alternative capital types like angel investments, grants, debt financing, and convertible notes.

How is the funding amount determined?

Amounts shown are the disclosed USD equivalent at the time of announcement. Where the round was denominated in local currency, we convert using the exchange rate on the announcement date.

FundingsUpdated daily

Startup funding in Africa, 2018

Name: Startup funding in Africa, 2018 — SLA Funding Index
Creator: StartupList Africa
License: https://www.startuplist.africa/attribution-policy

11 disclosed rounds on the record for this view, newest first.

Updated 17 Oct 20266,697 rounds on recordSource: SLA Funding IndexHow we count →Submit a round →

Year · 2018

Size · $20M – $50M

11 rounds · 2018 · $20M – $50M

Startup funding in Africa, 201811 · newest first

All 6,697 rounds →

#	Startup	Round	HQ	Investors	Amount	Date
1	WakanowTravel & Tourism · Lagos	Private Equity	Nigeria	The Carlyle Group	$40M	20 Dec
2	d.lightEnergy · Nairobi	Series E	Kenya	Inspired Evolution Investment Management, FMO +2	$41M	18 Dec
3	Zola ElectricEnergy & Environment Resources · Lagos	Debt Financing	Nigeria	FMO, Symbiotics Group	$33M	11 Dec
4	SunFunderAsset Management · Nairobi	Grant	Kenya	OPIC - Overseas Private Investment Corporation	$25M	26 Sep
5	African Leadership AcademyE-Learning · Johannesburg	Series B	South Africa	Omidyar Network	$28M	05 Jul
6	CellulantFinancial Services · Nairobi	Series C	Kenya	The Rise Fund, Endeavor Catalyst +3	$48M	14 May
7	TalaFinancial Services · Nairobi	Series C	Kenya	Revolution, DCVC +6	$50M	17 Apr
8	CitiE-Learning · Cape Town	Venture	South Africa	Not disclosed	$21M	16 Apr
9	d.lightEnergy · Nairobi	Debt Financing	Kenya	European Investment Bank, responsAbility +2	$50M	13 Apr
10	d.lightEnergy · Nairobi	Debt Financing	Kenya	European Investment Bank	$25M	27 Mar

SLA Funding Index · as of 17 Oct 2026

Your view shows the first 10 rounds of each search.

Questions about startup funding in Africa, 2018

How many funding rounds did startups in Africa raise in 2018?: 11 disclosed rounds are on the StartupList Africa record for this view as of 17 Oct 2026, listed newest first.
How often is funding data updated?: Our funding database is updated daily. We track disclosed rounds from press releases, regulatory filings, investor announcements, and verified startup submissions.
What funding stages are tracked?: We track all stages including Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A through Series E+, as well as alternative capital types like angel investments, grants, debt financing, and convertible notes.
How is the funding amount determined?: Amounts shown are the disclosed USD equivalent at the time of announcement. Where the round was denominated in local currency, we convert using the exchange rate on the announcement date.

Cite this page

StartupList Africa, “Startup funding in Africa, 2018”, updated 17 Oct 2026.

startuplist.africa/fundings/2018