Africa’s startup ecosystem is on fire, fueled by innovation, resilience, and a growing wave of young entrepreneurs who are redefining industries across the continent. From fintech disruptors and healthtech pioneers to climate-conscious ventures and AI-powered platforms, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of bold growth and groundbreaking ideas.
In this article, we spotlight 10 African startups to watch in 2026, companies that are not only attracting investor attention but also solving real challenges, creating jobs, and shaping the future of business in Africa. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, these are the names you’ll want to keep on your radar.
1. Klasha (Nigeria)
Founded in 2021 by Jess Anuna, Klasha is addressing one of Africa’s most persistent business challenges: foreign-exchange transactions. With issues like currency volatility, dollar shortages, and fragmented payment systems, cross-border trade can be difficult for many small businesses.
Klasha provides a cross-border payment solution that connects African countries to Asia, particularly China, enabling transactions to be completed in under two days. Its mission is to make it easier for African businesses to convert local currencies such as the naira into yuan, dollars, or pounds seamlessly.
The company’s innovative approach has attracted strong investor interest, including backing from American Express Ventures, Greycroft, and Seedcamp.
2. Freezelink (Ghana)
Founded in 2018 by Owusu Akoto, Freezelink is tackling one of Africa’s most pressing supply chain challenges, the lack of reliable cold storage infrastructure. According to the Rockefeller Foundation, more than a third of food produced in Africa is wasted due to inadequate cooling systems.
Positioning itself as a “cooling-as-a-service” provider, Freezelink aims to reduce this waste by offering sustainable cold storage and transportation solutions. The company plans to raise $3 million to build solar-powered cold storage facilities across Ghana, ensuring that food stays fresh and vaccines remain safely chilled.
Akoto, who previously worked with global companies such as Diageo and Unilever and holds an MBA from Imperial College London, has steered Freezelink into new territory, expanding beyond food to strengthen its pharmaceutical distribution network.
3. Zuri Health (Kenya)
Founded in 2020 by Daisy Isiaho, Ikechukwu Arthur Anoke, and Titilola Olaolu Hassan, Zuri Health is transforming access to medical care across Africa through the power of mobile technology.
The startup delivers health care services via WhatsApp and other text-based platforms, reaching rural communities where smartphones and reliable internet connections are often scarce. By leveraging simple messaging tools, Zuri Health connects patients with doctors, pharmacies, and laboratories, bridging the gap between underserved populations and essential medical services.
Backed by Bayer, the company is seeking $4 million in seed funding to expand its reach. Through partnerships with local telecommunications providers, Zuri Health continues to scale its mission to make affordable, accessible health care a reality for millions across the continent.
4. Anka (Ivory Coast)
Founded in 2016 by Moulaye Taboure, Kadry Diallo, and Luc Perussault Diallo, Anka is building a global marketplace that empowers African businesses to connect with international buyers and grow beyond borders.
Backed by Alibaba Group co-founder Joe Tsai, the company positions itself as a commerce aggregator for entrepreneurs, helping them manage the entire trade process from finding buyers to shipping products (through a partnership with DHL) and receiving payments.
In a continent where foreign-exchange regulations often restrict cross-border transactions, Anka offers flexibility: buyers can pay via multiple methods, while African sellers can conveniently withdraw funds via mobile money services.
The company has expressed confidence that it will achieve profitability soon, signaling strong growth potential in Africa’s expanding digital trade ecosystem.
5. ThriveAgric (Nigeria)
Founded in 2017 by Uka Eje and Ayo Arikawe, ThriveAgric is a digital platform transforming Africa’s agricultural value chain by empowering small-scale farmers. The company provides an integrated solution that helps farmers map their farms, access financing, and connect with buyers and transporters, ultimately boosting productivity by over 300%.
A proud Y Combinator alumnus, ThriveAgric currently supports more than 800,000 farmers across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. With its ambitious growth plans, the company aims to expand its reach to 10 million farmers by 2027, strengthening food security and rural livelihoods across the continent.
6. Weego (Morocco)
Founded in 2020 by Saad Jittou and Mor Niane, Weego is revolutionizing urban mobility across Africa by helping commuters navigate public transportation with ease. Often described as “the Citymapper for Africa,” the platform provides real-time transportation data and digital ticketing to make city travel more efficient and reliable.
Recognizing that over 400 million Africans rely on public transport daily, and that 81% struggle to plan their journeys, Jittou was inspired to create Weego after encountering the uncertainty of catching a bus in Dakar.
Backed by Morocco’s CDG Invest and US venture capital firm SOSV, the company plans to raise $5 million in 2026 to expand operations across Morocco, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast, improving access to more intelligent, data-driven mobility across the continent.
7. WiSolar (South Africa)
Founded in 2016 by Tonye Irims, WiSolar is transforming access to clean energy in Africa by making solar power as common as Wi-Fi. The company provides prepaid solar electricity on demand, allowing users to easily manage and monitor their energy consumption through a mobile app.
WiSolar stands out as the only company in South Africa currently offering prepaid solar electricity directly to homes. With an installed capacity of nine megawatts, the startup is helping households and businesses transition toward affordable, sustainable power solutions.
To support its expansion, WiSolar secured $9 million in revolving credit from Chinese financial institutions, positioning it to further scale its mission of making clean energy accessible to all.
8. Zeraki (Kenya)
Founded in 2014 by Isaac Nyangolo and Erick Oude, Zeraki is transforming education in Africa through digital learning and school-data analytics platforms. The company helps students assess their academic performance, identify areas for improvement, and track their progress across subjects using interactive tools and personalized metrics.
Backed by the Save the Children Impact Fund, Zeraki has also partnered with Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecom provider, to deliver online remedial learning to secondary school students nationwide. Beyond Kenya, the company has expanded its footprint to nine other African countries, strengthening access to quality digital education across the continent.
Zeraki offers a flexible subscription model, allowing schools and parents to choose daily, monthly, or annual payment plans for access to its innovative learning tools and services.
9. SwiftVee (South Africa)
Founded in 2019 by Russel Luck and Christine Nel, SwiftVee is an online livestock trading platform that connects African farmers to global buyers. The platform empowers over 249 million women across Africa who rely on livestock as a primary source of financial security, helping them monetize their cattle and access international markets.
Co-founders Luck and Nel, both lawyers, with Nel specializing in cryptocurrency regulation, are leveraging technology to bring transparency and efficiency to Africa’s agricultural trade.
Backed by South African venture capital funds, SwiftVee has raised $2 million in seed funding to scale its operations and further digitize livestock trading across the continent.
10. Thalia Psychotherapy (Kenya)
Founded in 2017 by Antony Okungu, Dennis Mwangi, Mercy Mwende Nduva, David Okello, and Adeola Akinyode, Thalia Psychotherapy is dedicated to expanding access to mental health care across Africa, where more than 116 million people live with mental health conditions but often lack access to quality support.
The startup partners with local health facilities in Kenya, equipping them with the technology, systems, and professional expertise needed to also serve as mental health centers. By integrating mental health care into existing medical infrastructure, Thalia is helping to close a critical gap in the region’s healthcare system.
Backed by MIT Solve, the Gates Foundation, and other global partners, Thalia Psychotherapy is driving a movement toward accessible, tech-enabled mental health care for all.
Conclusion
Africa’s startup scene continues to prove that innovation thrives where challenges exist. From revolutionizing health care and clean energy to transforming agriculture, education, and finance, these startups are shaping the continent’s future one bold idea at a time.
As we move into 2026, it’s clear that Africa isn’t just participating in the global tech revolution; it’s defining it. With growing investor confidence, strong leadership, and a focus on impact-driven solutions, the continent’s entrepreneurs are turning local problems into global opportunities.
The next wave of world-changing innovations may very well come from Africa, and these startups are leading the way.