African tech startups have seen total funding rise 33% year-on-year in 2025, marking a strong rebound following a 35% decline in 2023 and a further 25% drop in 2024, according to a report by Africa: The Big Deal.
While funding totalled nearly $3 billion in 2023, 2025 is on track to surpass $3 billion, and the year isn’t even over yet. Importantly, it’s not just overall funding that has improved; equity funding specifically has also exceeded 2023 levels.
The year has seen renewed exit activity, including Walletdoc’s $23 million acquisition, as well as the first two IPOs in over six years, showing growing investor confidence in African tech.
In November alone, startups announced $162 million in funding, 79% of which came as equity. While not a record month, it ranked as the fifth-highest in 2025 and was broadly in line with November 2024 ($181 million), though below November 2023 ($267 million).Across the continent, 32 ventures raised $100,000 or more, including 16 startups that secured $1 million or above.
Two fintech startups went public in November 2025, marking the first significant IPOs on the continent since the pre-pandemic era. South African fintech Optasia listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on November 4, raising $345 million at a market valuation of $1.4 billion.Moroccan fintech Cash Plus raised $82.5 million through its IPO on the Casablanca Stock Exchange on November 25, achieving a $550 million valuation.These developments highlight a turning point for African startups, suggesting that 2025 could be remembered as a year of renewed growth and confidence for the continent’s tech ecosystem.