Grace Ashiru
African startups have raised more than $2 billion in 2026, excluding exits, reaching the milestone several months earlier than last year.
September is not currently on course to match the strong fundraising totals recorded in June and August, when startups raised $515 million and $455 million respectively, though a large late-stage deal could still lift the monthly total.
The $2 billion threshold was crossed only a few weeks later than in 2025 and 2023, when it was reached in August. In 2024, African startup funding did not pass $2 billion until December.
Based on fundraising patterns in recent years, total funding in 2026 could approach $3 billion by year-end.
