How many startups are there in Africa?

StartupList Africa lists 12,820 African technology companies as of 15 Nov 2026, with $46.4B in disclosed funding between them. 17 have a latest known disclosed valuation of $1B or more.

Which African countries have the most startups?

Nigeria (3,414), South Africa (2,374), Kenya (1,727) and Egypt (1,121). Together they account for 8,636 of the 12,820 companies listed.

What are the largest startup sectors in Africa?

SaaS (2,789), FinTech (2,663), Marketplace (1,839), Artificial Intelligence (1,388) and E-Commerce (1,311), 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

12,820 technology companies listed, with $46.4B in disclosed funding between them. Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt account for 67% of them.

Companies: 12,820; +865 this week
Total raised: $46.4B; disclosed
Unicorns: 17; latest disclosed $1B+

12,820 companiesSource: SLA Startup IndexHow we count →Submit a startup →

All startups12,821 · by momentum

#	Startup	Sector	Last round	Raised	Founded	Employees
1	Aspen PharmacareDurban, South AfricaEst. 1850	Pharmaceuticals	Post-IPO Debt	$3.8B	1850	5,001–10,000
2	TabbyCairo, Egypt	Financial Services	Series F	$2.1B	2019	51–200
3	MNT-HalanGiza, Egypt	Financial Services	Private Placement (capital increase)	$1.2B	2018	10,001+
4	Sun KingNairobi, Kenya	Energy	Venture	$994M	2007	1,001–5,000
5	ZepzMogadishu, Somalia	Financial Services	Series F	$961M	2010	1,001–5,000
6	JumiaLagos, Nigeria	Consumer Goods	Post-IPO Equity	$955M	2012	1,001–5,000
7	d.lightNairobi, Kenya	Energy	Receivables Financing	$815M	2007	201–500
8	BoltKenya	Transportation	Funding Round	$711M	Not disclosed
9	MooveLagos, Nigeria	FinTech	Series C	$697M	2020	1,000+
10	Steinhoff InternationalGauteng, South AfricaEst. 1964	Consumer Goods	Post-IPO Equity	$654M	1964	10,001+
11	IHS TowersLagos, NigeriaEst. 2001	Infrastructure	Private Equity	$652M	2001	10,001+
12	bolttechKenya	InsurTech	Series C	$603M	Not disclosed
13	M-KOPANairobi, Kenya	FinTech	Debt Financing	$593M	2011	501–1,000
14	SpiroNairobi, Kenya	Transportation	Debt Financing	$575M	2019	501–1,000
15	OPayIkeja, Nigeria	Financial Services	Series C	$570M	2017	501–1,000
16	dLocalAfrican connection: African operations	Financial Services	Post-IPO Secondary	$548M	2016	501–1,000
17	PromasidorBryanston, South AfricaEst. 1979	Consumer Goods	Secondary Market	$532M	1979	1,001–5,000
18	TymeBankJohannesburg, South Africa	Banking	Series D	$528M	2012	51–200
19	PayJoyAfrican connection: South African operations	FinTech	Debt	$500M	2015
20	TalaNairobi, Kenya	Financial Services	Debt Facility	$499M	2011	501–1,000

SLA Startup Index · as of 15 Nov 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 12,820 African technology companies as of 15 Nov 2026, with $46.4B in disclosed funding between them. 17 have a latest known disclosed valuation of $1B or more.
Which African countries have the most startups?: Nigeria (3,414), South Africa (2,374), Kenya (1,727) and Egypt (1,121). Together they account for 8,636 of the 12,820 companies listed.
What are the largest startup sectors in Africa?: SaaS (2,789), FinTech (2,663), Marketplace (1,839), Artificial Intelligence (1,388) and E-Commerce (1,311), 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 15 Nov 2026.

startuplist.africa/startups