African startups raised $1.37 billion in H1 2026, according to Technext24. Fintech retains its crown with 41% of total funding, but logistics and energy are gaining fast — a sign of an ecosystem finally diversifying beyond payments.
Fintech still king
With $556 million out of $1.37 billion in H1 2026, financial technology confirms its dominant position in Africa's startup ecosystem. Flutterwave (Nigeria) closed a $100 million round, pushing its valuation to $3.2 billion, while Egypt's MNT-Halan reached a $1.4 billion valuation after raising $90 million. In Tanzania, diaspora remittance specialist Nala raised $50 million, placing the country among the markets to watch.
Logistics and energy: the new rising stars
The most notable shift this half-year is the emergence of competing sectors. Logistics and transport captured $472 million (35% of total), largely driven by Spiro — $327 million raised by Africa's leading electric two-wheeler company. Energy comes in at $94 million, boosted by off-grid and storage projects. Agritech is recovering with $93 million after a tough 2025.
Egypt and Nigeria: continental engines
Egypt and Nigeria account for the bulk of major fundraises. Nigeria leverages its 220-million consumer market and a mature Lagos-Abuja ecosystem. Egypt benefits from its hub position between Africa and the Middle East, with startups like valU ($64M) and Lucky ($23M). East and Southern Africa round out the picture, with dynamic nascent ecosystems in Kenya and Tanzania.
Why this matters
A half-year at $1.37 billion sets up 2026 to potentially exceed 2025's $2.9 billion total. But beyond volume, it is the sectoral diversification that stands out: when logistics and energy capture as much capital as fintech, Africa is investing in its economic fundamentals — transport, power supply, supply chains. An ecosystem no longer reliant on a single sector is a more resilient one.