African startups secured $1.35 billion in funding during the first half of 2025, marking a 78% increase compared to the $800 million raised during the same period in 2024, according to new data from Africa: The Big Deal.
June emerged as the strongest funding month in nearly a year, bringing in $365 million and rounding off a six-month stretch of sustained investor interest.
Four of those months saw funding exceed $250 million, pushing the monthly average to $237 million—up from $133 million in H1 2024.
Equity investment remained dominant, totaling $950 million—up 79% year-on-year. Though slightly behind H2 2024’s equity levels, the surge reflects renewed venture capital interest, especially in fintech, health tech, and logistics.
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Debt financing also rebounded, led by a $137 million deal from Senegal’s fintech giant Wave in June. Debt deals for H1 reached $400 million, a 55% increase over the same period last year.
The current trajectory places H1 2025 nearly on par with H2 2024’s $1.37 billion, signaling growing investor confidence in Africa’s startup ecosystem.
Image credit: The Black Examiner