Rapidly Expanding African Tech Companies to Keep an Eye on in 2025's Market
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business, Africa is making its mark with a wave of innovative startups driving digital transformation across various sectors. Here's a snapshot of some of the most promising African startups to watch in 2025, as highlighted by Bloomberg Next Africa.
Fintech
Fintech is leading the charge, with companies like PalmPay, Flutterwave, and OPay making significant strides in digital payments. VALR, a South African cryptocurrency exchange, is also making waves, serving over 1.3 million users and 1,300 corporate and institutional clients.
VALR
VALR, a key player in Africa's digital asset landscape, is pursuing regulatory approval in the Cayman Islands and Malta, and has already secured licensing in Poland and South Africa's FSCA. The company operates a network of networks, connecting over 150,000 informal retailers and 145 manufacturers with more than 5,800 distributors.
TeamApt
Nigerian fintech service provider TeamApt is another notable player, handling an impressive 68 million transactions monthly through its network of 100,000 agents, serving 14 million customers. The company is expanding across Africa, aiming to deliver digital payment and banking services to underserved regions.
Healthcare
Remedial Health is making waves in the healthcare innovation sector, while M-Kopa is reshaping financial access with its innovative smartphone financing model. M-Kopa now welcomes a new customer every 9 seconds and processes 15 payments per second, driving it toward an estimated $500 million in annual revenue by the end of 2025.
M-Kopa
M-Kopa, a Kenyan fintech startup, has extended its reach beyond Kenya, with significant growth in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa, and plans to produce 10 million smartphones by 2027. The company has invested heavily in local manufacturing and sustainability, with its Nairobi-based assembly plant producing over 1.5 million devices and creating 400 jobs, with plans to grow the workforce by 25%.
E-commerce
Jumia, Omniretail, and other e-commerce startups are transforming retail in informal markets. Jumia has expanded its logistics capabilities with Jumia Delivery in Nigeria, reaching hundreds of cities and planning to expand to Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal.
Renewable Energy
M-Kopa and eShandi are leading the charge in renewable energy, advancing solar and electric mobility across the continent.
AI and Tech Talent
Andela and Pineapple are making strides in the tech talent and AI sectors, addressing the global talent shortage by managing the entire hiring process and offering flexible options. Pineapple uses AI to simplify and speed up the insurance process.
These startups are not only driving large-scale digital payments but also improving pharmaceutical supply chains, transforming retail in informal markets, advancing solar and electric mobility, and leveraging AI for insurance services. Africa’s startup ecosystem raised $1.35 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 78% increase from 2024, with Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal emerging as key hubs.
Sources:
- Bloomberg Next Africa
- Individual startup websites and press releases
- In the digital asset landscape of Africa, PalmPay, Flutterwave, and OPay are excelling in e-commerce growth, particularly in the realm of mobile money and digital payments.
- TeamApt, another notable fintech service provider, is expanding its operations across Africa, aiming to boost financial inclusion in underserved regions through digital payment and banking services.
- Remedial Health and M-Kopa are revolutionizing the healthcare and financial sectors, respectively, with Remedial Health leading health tech Innovation, and M-Kopa reshaping financial access via innovative smartphone financing models.
- Cross-border payments are being streamlined by startups like M-Kopa, which has ambitious plans to produce 10 million smartphones by 2027, improving digital inclusion across African nations.
- Africa's startup ecosystem is thriving, expanding not only digital payments but also transforming retail, advancing renewable energy, and leveraging AI for tech talent development. This growth is evidenced by the $1.35 billion raised by African startups in the first half of 2025, marking a 78% increase from 2024, with Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal leading as key tech hubs.
