Last week (October 27 – November 2, 2025), you probably missed something big in Africa’s startup space.
It was that kind of week with startups launching bold ideas, others bowing out, and a few surprise funding wins that got everyone talking again.
There’s a certain rhythm to it now; the rise, the fall, the pivot, all playing out in real time.
Let’s catch up.
African tech news highlights
MyBitSecure launches IoT-enabled solution for African farms
South African startup MyBitSecure has unveiled an IoT-powered solution that integrates smart irrigation, soil monitoring, and cybersecurity to protect farm data. The system includes retrofittable sensors and dashboards that modernize existing irrigation networks, improving productivity and sustainability. Founder Trevor Murimba says the goal is to make African agriculture both smart and secure in the era of connected farming.
5 winners named of Orange Social Ventures Prize in Africa, Middle East
Orange has announced the winners of the 15th Orange Social Ventures Prize (OSVP) for Africa and the Middle East, celebrating startups driving sustainable and inclusive innovation.
Morocco’s Sand to Green won the top prize for its regenerative agroforestry model, followed by DRC’s E-Blood Bank Makila and Ivory Coast’s N’Zassa Fund.
Other winners include Tunisia’s Proverdy for the International Women’s Prize and Botswana’s Maarifa for the Coup de Coeur award, all set to receive support from the Orange Digital Centre to scale their impact.
Lidya shuts down after 10 years
Lidya, a well-known Nigerian fintech, confirmed it had closed operations after 10 years. That’s a useful reminder that longevity does not guarantee indefinite survival, and it will be a talking point for founders reassessing margins and funding strategies.
Infrastructure and regulatory moves
- Airtel Africa announced major capex and partnerships to expand network and digital capabilities. Moves like that shift the runway for many startups that rely on better connectivity and digital payments.
- South African crypto exchange VALR received key licences from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, a notable regulatory milestone for crypto infrastructure in the region.
Key funding rounds (October 27 – November 2, 2025)
Velents raises $1.5m in funding
- Sector: Artificial Intelligence (enterprise automation, language technology)
- Lead investor(s): Angel investors including senior executives from Google, BCG, and other global firms
- Why it matters: Introduces the first fully autonomous Arabic-speaking AI employee, bridging the language gap in enterprise automation across the Middle East.
Founded by Mohamed Gaber and Abdulaziz Almuhaydib, Velents has evolved from a recruitment platform into an enterprise AI company serving private firms, universities, and government bodies. Agent.sa can handle customer calls, WhatsApp chats, data analysis, and task execution, all in natural Arabic, marking a major step toward language-inclusive automation for businesses in the region.
Trends to watch
1. Infrastructure and rails are taking priority
Telco capex and strategic partnerships show that networks and settlement rails are getting fresh attention. For startups, improved connectivity and payment rails lower friction and expand market reach.
2. Regulation matters more than ever for crypto infrastructure
Regulatory approvals like VALR’s licences are a sign that the market is moving toward formalisation. That’s good for institutional flows but it also means startups must recheck compliance roadmaps.
3. Founder survival remains fragile
The Lidya shutdown underscores that longevity and brand recognition are no guarantee when unit economics and funding dry up or strategic assumptions fail. Founders should be diligent about runway and margins.
5. Accelerators and prizes still seed the funnel
Programs from Google for Startups and prizes like Orange Social Ventures continue to surface companies that may be the next round’s story. They are small but consistent inputs into the pipeline.
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