Justina Salami

African startups raised over $1.5 B in H1 2026 as equity stages a comeback

African startup funding reached $1.5 billion across 137 deals in H1 2026 as equity rebounded, Kenya led funding, and Nigeria lagged in capital raised.

Providus and Unity Bank complete merger, begin operations as ProvidusUnity Bank

Providus Bank and Unity Bank have completed their merger and officially commenced operations as ProvidusUnity Bank, creating a larger institution as Nigeria's banking sector consolidates.

Return founder, Tomiwa Lasebikan, raises $2.4 million for stablecoin startup Daya

Daya, the stablecoin payments startup founded by return entrepreneur Tomiwa Lasebikan, has raised $2.4 million in pre-seed funding to expand cross-border payment infrastructure.

5 African startup sectors set to benefit from the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is creating opportunities beyond football. Here's how African fintech, media, travel, e-commerce, and sports-tech startups stand to benefit.

Is the African Monetary Union 2030 target achievable? Ugo Umeseaka, COO of Redtech, shed light on this

Redtech COO Ugo Umeseaka explains why Africa's 2030 monetary union target is unlikely and why cross-border payments matter more than a single currency.

11 African stablecoin-focused startups that raised money in H1 2026

These are the African stablecoin-focused startups that attracted investor funding in the first half of 2026 as digital dollar infrastructure gained momentum across Africa.

Stablecon Salon: Africa Series’ completes three-city run, brings conversation to Johannesburg

Paschal Okeke is hosting an invite-only Stablecon Salons: Africa Series, convening operators, builders, and policymakers in intimate settings that are helping shape how institutions approach stablecoin adoption across Africa.

How Africa is being priced out of the creative economy

Africa's creator economy is growing rapidly, but rising platform subscriptions, data costs, and low payouts are making success harder.

Swoop wants Nigerians to trust them to deliver food 

Swoop says its mission in Nigeria is simple: earn customer trust. After raising $7.3 million and attracting over 20,000 users in six weeks, the food delivery startup is betting that operational efficiency, transparency, and lower prices can win over Nigerians who have been disappointed by food delivery services.

The DOA Business Series 2026 convenes industry leaders on Nigeria’s digital future — Bunce wins NGN 10M at the Next Big Bet Pitch Competition

The fifth edition of the DOA Business Series brought together regulators, investors, and technology leaders to discuss Nigeria's digital future, while startup Bunce secured ₦10 million as winner of The Next Big Bet 2026 pitch competition.

Where are Africa’s 24 Y Combinator startups three years later?

In 2022, Y Combinator backed 24 African startups in a record-breaking cohort dominated by Nigerian founders. Three years later, some have raised major rounds and made acquisitions, while others have faded from public view.

4 industry experts say what has changed in raising a Series A in Africa 

Raising a Series A in Africa looks very different from the boom years of 2021 and 2022. Four investors explain why profitability, governance, debt financing, and local capital now matter more than growth at all costs.