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Startups

17% Rise in Number of African Tech Startups Funded in 2016 – Report

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African tech startups raised funding in excess of US$129 million in 2016, with the number of startups securing funding up by 16.8% year-on-year, according to data from the recently released African Tech Startups Funding Report 2016.

According to the report, published by Disrupt Africa, 146 startups from across Africa raised $129.1 million between them during the course of 2016. That represents a substantial increase in the number of startups that raised funding during 2015, according to Disrupt Africa, although the total amount of funding declined.

South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya remained the three most popular investment destinations on the continent, accounting for 80.3% of funds secured. Meanwhile, Egypt experienced a more than 100% growth in fundraising, making it the fourth-ranked destination for startup investment funds.

Of the nine sectors analyzed in the report, the fintech sector received the most backing in 2016, with startups in this space raising a combined $31.4 million, about 24% of the total.

New to the 2016 edition, the report also makes available data on the startup acquisitions that took place during 2016, in addition to the results of surveys relating to preferences and trends within the entrepreneur and investor communities on the continent.

"2016 was another great year for African tech startups and investors. Our ecosystem progressed in leaps and bounds over the course of the year, which is evidenced by strong growth in the number of startups raising funding, and an encouraging expansion of ecosystem activity across the continent. We're excited to present the Disrupt Africa Tech Startups Funding Report 2016, and hope it helps chart the rise of Africa's entrepreneurs," said Gabriella Mulligan, co-founder of Disrupt Africa.

"The general theme of 2016 has been more rounds, but with fewer standout tickets than in 2015. The African tech space has not been immune to the economic pressures faced by other sectors, but it is proving extremely resilient. The fact more startups raised funding in 2016 than ever before demonstrates the vitality of this sector, and we expect investor interest to grow and grow over the course of 2017," added Tom Jackson, co-founder of Disrupt Africa.

Registered readers of Connecting Africa are eligible for a 25% discount when they purchase the Disrupt Africa report. To register (for free), go to the Connecting Africa registration page. For those already registered, click on this link to find out about how to get the 25% discount.

— The staff, Connecting Africa

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