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Over the course of the last 15 years, Nigerian startups and others across the African continent have collectively attracted more than $20 billion in funding, according to the H1 Africa Investment Report 2023 by Briter Bridges.
The report highlighted that the first half of 2023 alone saw over $2 billion invested in the continent’s startup ecosystem, propelling the total funding into the sector beyond the $20 billion mark over the 15-year period.
This achievement is noteworthy, given the concerns raised within the ecosystem about the future of investment in Africa amidst changing global macroeconomic conditions, Briter Bridges noted.
The report stated, “Africa’s innovation industry is now worth more than $21 billion. However, this milestone has come at a time when the change in the global macro environment is raising questions about the viability of investing in startups, let alone Africa.”
Amidst significant shifts in the funding landscape, startups and investors alike are facing challenges, leading to some startups shutting down and funds grappling with meeting their funding targets, the report highlighted.
“Some have been forced to re-evaluate their valuations and implement significant workforce reductions,” it stated.
The report indicated that investor focus is shifting from growth-stage startups to early and late-stage ones. The late-stage sub-ecosystem saw several mega-deals in fintech, logistics, and climate tech, driving a majority of the funding in the first half of the year.
Despite losing its top spot as the largest funding aggregator by volume, Nigerian startups remain highly active in the funding scene.
According to the report, Nigeria ($280 million) now ranks fifth in funding volume on the continent, following Kenya ($520 million), Egypt ($510 million), South Africa ($400 million), and Rwanda ($280 million).
The overall funding volume experienced a 26% decrease during the review period, with funding trends showing a downward trajectory.
The report highlighted that the African tech ecosystem has been navigating a downturn for about 18 months.
“Funding to startups in Africa peaked from Q3 2021 to Q1 2022, with the downturn in funding volumes starting in Q2 2022. Each quarter following Q2 saw a decline in the volume of deals, with Q4 witnessing more than a 50% drop,” the report explained.
With growing pressure on startups and investors, questions have emerged about the sustainability of venture capital in Africa. The report emphasized the need for innovative financing solutions, with debt financing already gaining traction as an attractive option for startups.
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