Justina Salami

Stablecoins dominate as African startups raise $53 million in May

African startups raised $228 million in May 2026, but $175 million came from Paymentology. Excluding that deal, startups raised just $53 million, making May the slowest funding month of the year. Three stablecoin infrastructure companies accounted for roughly 70% of all disclosed venture activity.

Ten years after Paystack: what Y Combinator’s African portfolio looks like

Ten years after Paystack joined Y Combinator, the accelerator’s African portfolio reveals a story of fintech dominance, concentrated funding, and an ecosystem gradually building alternatives to Silicon Valley validation.

Inside Asaba computer village: A bustling gadgets hub 

Inside Asaba Computer Village, a sprawling network of technicians, parts dealers, and apprentices keeps Nigeria’s smartphone economy running as inflation and currency depreciation make repairs cheaper than replacements.

A double designer building a fashion tech to end the “what I ordered vs what I got” problem in Africa

Eazyfit founder Olamide Adeyi grew up in a family of fashion designers in Kwara State. Now, he is building a fashion-tech platform that connects customers with verified tailors and tackles Africa’s “what I ordered versus what I got” problem.

Recap: How to secure alternative financing for your business in 2026

As debt financing overtakes equity in Africa’s startup ecosystem, founders are rethinking how to fund growth. Here’s what operators and investors say about securing alternative financing in 2026.

11 investors to know in the African startup ecosystem

Africa’s startup ecosystem now counts more than 5,000 angel investors and 75 active networks. Here are 11 investors deploying capital and shaping the continent’s tech future in 2026.

Spiro hits 95,000 motorcycles and enters Cameroon

African e-mobility startup Spiro has deployed 95,000 electric motorcycles across seven African markets and expanded into Cameroon while launching a women-focused e-mobility initiative with ESP.

South Africa’s GoTyme Bank makes all 2,000 staff shareholders

GoTyme Bank has extended equity ownership to its entire workforce as it scales past 21 million customers and moves closer to a public listing.

This multiple award-winner is building a proptech for the student community

After being scammed while searching for accommodation as a fresher at Obafemi Awolowo University, Stephen Adeyemo built Resavation to help students find verified housing without relying on exploitative agents.

Cross-border payment startup, Chimoney, shuts down after raising only $1 million in four years

After four years and less than $1 million raised, cross-border payment startup Chimoney is shutting down. The company’s closure exposes the capital intensity of global fintech infrastructure and the consequences of weak distribution despite early growth signals.

Recap of the state of startup funding in Africa webinar by Condia

A recap of BD Talks on "the State of Startup Funding in Africa"

BFREE closes growth round to acquire non-performing loans across Africa

BFREE has raised an undisclosed growth round led by AfricInvest to scale its acquisition of non-performing loans across Africa, positioning itself as critical credit market infrastructure.