How many startups are there in Africa?

StartupList Africa lists 10,016 African technology companies as of 31 Oct 2026, with $48.1B in disclosed funding between them. 19 have a latest known disclosed valuation of $1B or more.

Which African countries have the most startups?

Nigeria (2,721), South Africa (1,852), Kenya (1,185) and Egypt (1,054). Together they are home to 6,812 of the 10,016 companies listed.

What are the largest startup sectors in Africa?

FinTech (2,075), SaaS (1,909), Marketplace (1,291), E-Commerce (1,051) and Artificial Intelligence (973), by number of companies listed.

How do I narrow the list?

Search by name, then filter by industry, stage and country. Every filtered view has its own link you can share.

How does a startup get listed?

Founders submit their company through the free submission form. Existing profiles can be claimed by their team from the profile page.

StartupsDirectory · updated daily

Startups in Africa

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

10,016 technology companies listed, with $48.1B in disclosed funding between them. Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt are home to 68% of them.

Companies: 10,016; +949 this week
Total raised: $48.1B; disclosed
Unicorns: 19; latest disclosed $1B+

10,016 companiesSource: SLA Startup IndexHow we count →Submit a startup →

All startups10,031 · by momentum

#	Startup	Sector	Last round	Raised	Founded	Employees
1	Aspen PharmacareDurban, South AfricaEst. 1850Post-IPO Debt	Pharmaceuticals	Post-IPO Debt	$3.8B	1850	5,001–10,000
2	TabbyCairo, EgyptSeries F	Financial Services	Series F	$2.1B	2019	51–200
3	ZiplineKigali, RwandaVenture	Logistics	Venture	$1.9B	2014	201–500
4	MNT-HalanGiza, EgyptPrivate Placement (capital increase)	Financial Services	Private Placement (capital increase)	$1.2B	2018	10,001+
5	Sun KingNairobi, KenyaVenture	Energy	Venture	$994M	2007	1,001–5,000
6	ZepzMogadishu, SomaliaSeries F	Financial Services	Series F	$961M	2010	1,001–5,000
7	JumiaLagos, NigeriaPost-IPO Equity	Consumer Goods	Post-IPO Equity	$955M	2012	1,001–5,000
8	d.lightNairobi, KenyaReceivables Financing	Energy	Receivables Financing	$815M	2007	201–500
9	BoltKenyaFunding Round	Transportation	Funding Round	$711M	Not disclosed
10	MooveLagos, NigeriaSeries C	FinTech	Series C	$697M	2020	1,000+
11	Steinhoff InternationalGauteng, South AfricaEst. 1964Post-IPO Equity	Consumer Goods	Post-IPO Equity	$654M	1964	10,001+
12	IHS TowersLagos, NigeriaEst. 2001Private Equity	Infrastructure	Private Equity	$652M	2001	10,001+
13	bolttechKenyaSeries C	InsurTech	Series C	$603M	Not disclosed
14	M-KOPANairobi, KenyaDebt Financing	FinTech	Debt Financing	$593M	2011	501–1,000
15	SpiroNairobi, KenyaDebt Financing	Transportation	Debt Financing	$575M	2019	501–1,000
16	OPayIkeja, NigeriaSeries C	Financial Services	Series C	$570M	2017	501–1,000
17	dLocalCape Town, South AfricaPost-IPO Secondary	Financial Services	Post-IPO Secondary	$548M	2016	501–1,000
18	PromasidorBryanston, South AfricaEst. 1979Secondary Market	Consumer Goods	Secondary Market	$532M	1979	1,001–5,000
19	GoTymeJohannesburg, South AfricaSeries D	Banking	Series D	$528M	2012	51–200
20	PayJoySouth AfricaDebt	FinTech	Debt	$500M	2015

SLA Startup Index · as of 31 Oct 2026 · raised is disclosed funding

Your view shows the first 20 startups of each search.

Frequently asked about African startups

How many startups are there in Africa?: StartupList Africa lists 10,016 African technology companies as of 31 Oct 2026, with $48.1B in disclosed funding between them. 19 have a latest known disclosed valuation of $1B or more.
Which African countries have the most startups?: Nigeria (2,721), South Africa (1,852), Kenya (1,185) and Egypt (1,054). Together they are home to 6,812 of the 10,016 companies listed.
What are the largest startup sectors in Africa?: FinTech (2,075), SaaS (1,909), Marketplace (1,291), E-Commerce (1,051) and Artificial Intelligence (973), by number of companies listed.
How do I narrow the list?: Search by name, then filter by industry, stage and country. Every filtered view has its own link you can share.
How does a startup get listed?: Founders submit their company through the free submission form. Existing profiles can be claimed by their team from the profile page.

Cite this page

StartupList Africa, “Startups in Africa”, updated 31 Oct 2026.

startuplist.africa/startups