Kenyan tech start-ups scoop half of Africa’s funding in six months

By Rawlexx79

Five Kenyan start-ups are among the top 10 companies that secured the highest amount of capital in the first half of 2018 – according to a report by research and publishing firm, Weetracker.

Kenya’s Cellulant, which closed a record $47.5 million (Sh4.8b) investment, led other Kenya-based start-ups including mobile lender app Branch, M-Kopa Solar and software firm Africa’s Talking at the top of the most funded start-ups in the last six months.

The four, plus Agritech startup WeFarm, raised $91 million, which is more than half of the $168.6 million (Sh17b) capital that went to 118 deals across Africa during the period.

Overall, 2018 is already looking up for African start-ups compared to 2017 which saw 72 deals valued at Sh5 billion, representing a jump of 3.5 times in amount invested.

FinTech start-ups have continued their good run sweeping 25 deals – followed by HealthTech, AgriTech and e-commerce that managed to hit 13, 10 and 9 deals, respectively.

Nigeria had the highest number of start-ups securing funding at 31, followed by Kenya (23), Egypt (21) and South Africa (19).

“Nigeria which managed a higher number of deals, could only get a gross of $29.41 million, while Kenya with lesser deals amassed, almost three times of the total funding received by Nigeria,” notes the report.

The Half Year 2018 has also seen the establishment of 15 funds including African Guarantee Fund, Goodwell Investments, A24 Media and AFDB fund – to spur the development of start-ups.

 

Source: African Strategic-Ventures (ASV) Wee-tracker & Capital-Business.