Sid Ali Zerrouki’s Post

Africa's Booming Startup Ecosystem: $15 Billion in Investments Since 2019 A recent report by Africa-The Big Deal has revealed impressive growth in Africa's startup ecosystem, with a staggering $15 billion in investment transactions since 2019. Nigeria has emerged as the leader, attracting $4.4 billion, which represents 30% of the total investments between 2019 and 2023. The "Big Four" countries—Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt—have collectively secured 84% of all startup funding in Africa during this period. Here’s a quick breakdown: - Nigeria: $4.4 billion - Kenya: $2.9 billion - South Africa: $2.4 billion - Egypt: $2.3 billion Notably, more than three-quarters of all startups that raised $1 million or more are based in these four countries. South Africa slightly edged out Kenya in this category, with Senegal and Ghana emerging as the closest runner-ups to the Big Four. Ghana, in particular, shows promise as a potential Big Five contender, with a significant number of startups raising $1 million+. Beyond the Big Four, several other markets have shown notable activity: - 🇲🇦 **Morocco**: Nearly 40 startups raised $1 million+ - 🇹🇳 **Tunisia**: Home to a dozen ventures, with InstaDeep capturing over two-thirds of the capital - 🇩🇿 **Algeria**: Yassir claimed 98% of the total amount raised East and North Africa also feature prominently, with startups in Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco raising over $100 million since 2019. However, 19 markets in Africa have not registered any deals at all. This data underscores the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of African startups. The continent's innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are attracting significant global attention and investment, paving the way for a bright future in technology and business. #AfricanStartups #Investment #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #TechInAfrica #StartupEcosystem #Nigeria #Kenya #SouthAfrica #Egypt #BigFour #AfricaTheBigDeal

#Day28 The importance of incubators and accelerators in Africa for startups Incubators and accelerators play a vital role in the success of African startups, offering mentorship, resources, and crucial access to funding and business networks. In a continent where access to financial and technical resources is often challenging, these structures provide essential support to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses. Initiatives such as #MEST Africa (operating in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa) and #CcHub in Nigeria and Kenya, have become launchpads for tech startups, providing hands-on training, continuous guidance, and even initial funding to support growth. I had the opportunity to work with an incubator in Nigeria focused on clean tech startups. Their support went beyond training, encouraging entrepreneurs to innovate sustainably while addressing environmental needs. Similar incubators, like #Savannah Fund in Kenya, which funds and trains startups across East Africa, and #iHub in Kenya, empower the growth of a generation of entrepreneurs focused on sustainable development and local impact. In a project in Senegal, I saw how #Orange Fab supported local startups in developing innovative solutions in fintech and digital services. By giving startups access to markets and connecting them with strategic partners, they enabled these businesses to secure substantial funding and create products tailored to local needs. Lesson 28: Incubators and accelerators are strengthening Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by giving young talent the foundation to build sustainable enterprises. Beyond financial and logistical support, they foster the exchange of ideas and collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and local institutions. 📒Supporting these initiatives is a powerful lever to accelerate innovation and boost economic growth across Africa. Investors, the diaspora, and African governments play a crucial role in helping incubators and accelerators thrive, giving entrepreneurs the best chances for success.📒#Startups #Africa #Incubators #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment #AfricanEconomy #Growth

🚀 Morocco's Startup Landscape: Are We Aiming High Enough? 🇲🇦 Despite the incredible potential of Morocco’s youth and the drive for innovation, the country's Digital 2030 strategy raises important questions. With youth unemployment at 22.6%, startups could provide much-needed opportunities. Yet, the government’s aim to support jus t 3,000 startups by 2030 seems modest compared to global standards. Countries like Nigeria and Egypt are outpacing us in startup ecosystems, and Morocco's dependence on foreign capital leaves us vulnerable to global economic shocks. Is this strategy ambitious enough to meet the challenges and tap into the potential of our young entrepreneurs? 🤔 #Morocco #Startups #Innovation #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalTransformation #Economy

AFRICAN STARTUP FUNDING LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS The heartbeat of Africa's innovation ecosystem is growing stronger. For entrepreneurs with a desire to scale, here is a snippet of the funding landscape in Africa as detailed by Africa: The Big Deal, 2023 report. Uganda secured $5 million, Zambia $17 million, Ethiopia $3 million, and Ghana $57 million alongside Kenya's impressive $880 million in 2023. This growth reflects the dynamic nature of Africa's innovation ecosystem, with diverse sectors and regions contributing to the evolving narrative of startup success on the continent. Curious about the financial landscape? Dive into the key stats: ✅️Venture capital impact:  31% of African startups are fueled by venture capital, driving innovation across diverse sectors and regions. ✅️Average funding triumph:  African startups are experiencing a funding wave, with an average of $800 million propelling their ambitions. Notably, Kenya's $880 million in 2023 showcases the economic giant's appetite for growth and scale. ✅️Funded vs. non-funded success rates:  Funding transforms the game! Funded startups boast a remarkable 72% higher success rate compared to non-funded peers. Innovation investments are proving to be the secret sauce for success. Africa's startup journey is not merely a financial venture; it's a strategic collaboration shaping the future. The surge in funding is a testament to the continent's thriving innovation, inviting all entrepreneurs to join this transformative expedition.  In the face of adversity, the ability to pivot and innovate remains the key to thriving in the dynamic world of startups. Read more of the funding raised in Africa in 2023 here: https://lnkd.in/eG2cqSqd. #GrowthAfrica #StartupInsights #VentureCapital #InnovationEconomy #AfricanStartups #Entrepreneurship

Funding landscape in Africa..!!

Great insights

Global Startup Awards Africa with more than 11,000 startups and Ecosystem. GSA has provided a platform for startups with high impact potential to connect with investors. The Northern Africa Startup Awards will reward and support those entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystem leaders making an impact in the key areas of: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH NOTABLY HARNESS DIVERSIFIED EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATION STIMULATE CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION #africa #innovation #startup #sustainability #growth #technology #digitaltransformation #entrepreneurship #SDG

🚀 Exciting Times for the Egyptian Startup Ecosystem 🚀 I had the privilege of attending a fascinating panel "Leapfrogging with Technology and a Growing Entrepreneurship Ecosystem," featuring the inspiring Mounir Nakhla Nakhla CEO of MNT-Halan, H.E. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Hossam Heiba, Head of General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Mathieu Bousquet, Director of DG Near, Amal Enan from 500 Global and Ibrahim Ramadan from Sawari Ventures. The insights shared were a testament to the dynamic shift happening in Egypt's startup market. 🌟 The Egyptian startup ecosystem is now a lucrative landscape for investors, founders, and employees alike. We're witnessing a remarkable trend where top talent is increasingly drawn to startups rather than traditional corporate giants. This shift is fueled by a robust talent pool that's essential for companies to thrive and expand beyond our borders. 🌍 Over the past decade, the landscape has transformed significantly. Private investors are playing a pivotal role, and there's a growing recognition that the EU needs to collaborate with the private sector to support enterprises on their journey. Innovation centers are needed, facilitating the expansion of Egyptian startups into Europe and welcoming European startups into Egypt as a gateway to Africa are different areas where Egypt and EU can collaborate. 🇪🇬🇪🇺🤝 There's a burgeoning culture of entrepreneurship in Egypt. Instead of chasing the 'dream job,' many are now focused on building solid businesses that disrupt and grow. The entrepreneurial mentality has matured, shifting from a quick path to wealth to a sustainable approach to business growth. All the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, creating a resilient market that is committed to sustaining its recent gains. 📈 It's time to attract significant investment—let's aim for $5 billion to fuel our startups, as Dr. Ayman Ismail is pushing for. Accelerating financial inclusion through startups, as MNT Halan has exemplified, is the fastest route to growth. Egypt is poised to be an anchor for growth in the EU, Africa, and the Middle East. 🌍💡 #EgyptianStartups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Investment #TechLeapfrogging #EUCollaboration #AfricanGateway #SustainableGrowth #FinancialInclusion

The world is digitalizing rapidly and tech startups are among the pioneers that are continuously bringing about innovation and disruption in the business world. Financing & Scalability are among the crucial elements required for startups to thrive in the cutthroat world of business. Looking at what's happening in the African continent, recorded debt and equity financing for startups has grown by more than 13 fold to USD 2.4 Billion over the past 9 years with the number of startups funded up by 224% during the same period. With Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt having the largest share of Startups produced and money raised across the continent. Tanzania on the other hand has generally lagged behind it's African peers as far as funding is concerned and its ability to create competent startups. This report explores what the trend for startups have been in Africa as a whole as well as with Africa's startup giants, why we need to embrace the creation and fostering of startups in Tanzania as well as what we can learn from Africa's Silicon Valleys and what we need to do in order to foster disruptive startups Enjoy!!! Aika Shauri Disrupt Africa Tanzania Startup Association John Haule Fintech Association Of Kenya #startups #fintech #finance #economy #kenya #nigeria #southafrica #egypt #bigfour #tech #africa #education

Innovation Ecosystems in Africa builds upon the work of the African Innovation Summit (AIS), by further examining how the innovation systems environments in Africa function (or not) to address the most basic conditions of socio-economic and institutional development required on the continent. In the vast landscape of global innovation and entrepreneurship, Africa’s startup ecosystem emerged as a beacon of promise and potential. Over the past decade, the African continent witnessed an electrifying surge in entrepreneurial dynamism. This has created a vibrant mix of innovation-driven companies that have captivated investors, markets, and the world’s attention. The future, it seemed, was brighter than ever for African startups. Investors from around the world were pouring capital into African startups, fueling their growth and igniting the flames of innovation. However, as 2023 arrived, a new dawn broke. The African startup ecosystem found itself caught in the midst of a chilling and unexpected reality—a funding freeze that would send shockwaves across the continent. In 2023, some African startups have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid a challenging business landscape. Confronted by economic uncertainties, these innovative ventures have showcased remarkable agility and adaptability, redefining conventional models to ensure sustained growth. Therefore creating a supportive environment for knowledge-sharing and mentorship initiatives to flourish. Such as the launch of a mentor-led angel community and investment syndicate by Startup bootcamp. This initiative is designed to link startups with mentors who can provide operational assistance and capital.