Nigerian court blocks sale of 54gene’s assets, as founder claims investor wrongdoing
In Lagos, the Federal High Court blocks the sale of 54gene’s assets, preserving the integrity of one of Africa’s most ambitious biotech ventures. The ruling comes amid an explosive legal dispute between 54gene’s founder, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, and its major investors—Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund and Adjuvant Capital—over allegations of corporate
What Investors Look for in African Startups
The days of winning over investors with flashy user numbers and rapid growth alone are over. In 2021, that may have sealed the deal. In 2025, the conversation starts with fundamentals. “Talk me through your unit economics,” an investor now asks as a baseline question. Across Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa,
8 African Startups that Raised Series A in H1 2025
In the first half of the year alone, startups on the continent raised over $1.35 billion, representing a 78% increase from the same period in 2024. At the heart of this funding surge are Series A rounds—critical for startups ready to move beyond seed funding and scale their operations across
8 Ways African Women Entrepreneurs Are Accessing Global Funding
African women entrepreneurs are rising as innovators and leaders, launching businesses that address real-world problems while supporting their communities. Despite their potential, many face major funding challenges due to structural inequalities, limited networks, and cultural barriers. However, a growing number are now accessing global funding through grants, equity financing, accelerators,
MTN Nigeria’s net income grows 180%, hits N414.9bn in H1 2025
The country’s largest telecom operator, with 84.7 million subscribers, MTN Nigeria’s net income grows 180%, reaching N414.9bn in H1 2025, reversing steep losses sustained amid macroeconomic headwinds last year. The rebound was driven by currency stability, improved FX liquidity, and tariff adjustments. The company’s revenue grew 54.5% to ₦2.3 trillion
Grant vs Loan: How to Decide for Your Small Business in Africa
Starting or scaling a small business in Africa comes with a lot of challenges — and at some point, almost every entrepreneur will ask: “How do I fund this next big step?” Whether you’re launching a tech startup, expanding your agribusiness, or opening a creative hub, your dreams need fuel
Captain Ibrahim Traoré: The Transitional Leader Transforming Burkina Faso
Captain Ibrahim Traoré emerged as a defining figure in Burkina Faso’s turbulent political landscape following a series of coups that underscored the country’s deepening security and governance crises. At just 34 years old, Traoré became the world’s youngest head of state when he seized power in a military coup on
Inside M-Pesa’s Journey: An Idea That Changed the Way Africa Moves Money
Inside M-Pesa’s journey lies one of the most remarkable stories of technological innovation reshaping the financial industry of Africa and beyond. Launched in Kenya in 2007 by Safaricom and Vodafone, M-Pesa (short for “mobile money” in Swahili) emerged as a bold experiment to address the limited access to banking services
10 Reasons Why Startups Fail (& How to Avoid Them)
The startup world is full of ambition, innovation, and opportunity, yet the startup failure rate statistics paint a much harsher reality. According to studies, 90% of startups fail, with 10% collapsing within the first year alone. The dream of building a unicorn company is often shattered by challenges ranging from
Today Africa Weekly: Tech news recap | July 21–27, 2025
Africa’s startup ecosystem continued to gain momentum during the week of July 21–27, 2025, driven by fresh capital inflows, infrastructure investments, and ecosystem shake-ups. From a landmark data centre launch to high-profile funding rounds and competitive entrepreneurship programs, the week’s developments reflect a tech landscape in transition — resilient, diversified,
