Côte d’Ivoire’s startup ecosystem is booming, driven by a young population, government incentives, and international investments. Here are five standout startups transforming industries in 2025:
- Djamo: A fintech leader offering digital banking services, with 750,000 accounts and $14M in funding.
- Coliba: Tackling waste management with a tech platform, processing 10,000+ tons of waste and creating jobs.
- Seekewa: Supporting small farmers with digital tools, boosting crop yields by 20% and incomes by 30%.
- Lifi-LED: Innovating smart lighting and public Wi-Fi solutions for urban areas.
- Afrikrea: Empowering online sellers with tools to connect African artisans to global markets.
These startups showcase how technology is solving local challenges while scaling globally. Côte d’Ivoire is emerging as a key player in Africa’s tech revolution.
Top 10 Most Funded African Startups in 2024 – Breaking Down the Trends
1. Djamo: Transforming Financial Services
Djamo’s success highlights Côte d’Ivoire’s growing role as a center for tech-driven solutions to financial challenges. This digital bank has made a major impact in a region where fewer than 25% of adults have access to traditional banking [2].
Since its launch, Djamo has opened 750,000 accounts and its app has been downloaded over 2 million times [2][4]. The platform provides a variety of services, including Visa-enabled payments, salary accounts, cross-border transfers, and automated savings. In 2022, Djamo secured $14 million in funding and became the first Ivorian startup to join Y Combinator‘s well-known incubator program.
What makes Djamo stand out is how it bridges the gap between traditional banking and mobile money services – an issue that has long plagued West Africa’s financial system [2][4]. As the top distributor of bank cards in Côte d’Ivoire, Djamo is changing how people interact with financial tools [2]. Its easy-to-use interface and practical features have made digital banking more accessible, especially for the younger, tech-savvy population.
Looking ahead to 2025, Djamo is well-positioned for further growth. Its ability to tackle financial inclusion challenges while adhering to regulatory requirements solidifies its role as a leader in West Africa’s digital shift [2][4]. Djamo’s efforts not only showcase the potential of Côte d’Ivoire’s fintech sector but also set an example for other startups, such as Coliba, to tackle issues in their own industries.
2. Coliba: Transforming Waste Management
Coliba is making waves in Côte d’Ivoire by revamping waste management through a tech-powered platform that connects users with recyclers. With more than 10,000 tons of waste processed and a growing network of over 50,000 households and businesses, Coliba is addressing the urgent need for better waste solutions in urban areas.
Backed by a $500,000 investment from Miarakap [3], the startup has ramped up its operations and upgraded its technology, setting ambitious goals for 2025. Coliba’s approach tackles two major issues: it improves waste management while also creating jobs through formalized recycling and collection systems.
By teaming up with local municipalities, Coliba has delivered tangible results:
- Processed over 10,000 tons of waste
- Built a community of 50,000+ users
- Reduced reliance on landfills
- Generated employment in waste collection
Coliba highlights how technology can solve urban challenges while driving progress toward global sustainability goals. Its model not only supports responsible consumption but also helps build greener cities. As Côte d’Ivoire continues to urbanize, Coliba’s forward-thinking approach positions it as a key player in the country’s shift toward a greener economy, proving that tech-based solutions can deliver both environmental and economic benefits in emerging markets.
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3. Seekewa: Supporting Small Farmers
Seekewa has made a name for itself in Côte d’Ivoire’s agritech sector by using digital tools to reshape small-scale farming. Since launching in 2018, the platform has changed how local farmers gain access to important resources and connect with markets.
Through its platform, Seekewa has supported over 1,000 farmers, helping them boost crop yields by 20% and increase incomes by 30%. Its efforts focus on three main areas: providing financial services like loans and banking, offering market insights such as price data and trends, and delivering technical training to improve farming techniques.
With support from German development agencies BMZ and GIZ [1], Seekewa has broadened its reach and improved its offerings. By leveraging mobile technology, the platform links farmers with buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions, making it easier for rural communities to access these critical resources.
Seekewa has plans to expand its services to neighboring West African countries, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in transforming traditional industries. While Seekewa focuses on agriculture, other startups in Côte d’Ivoire, like Lifi-LED, are tackling urban challenges with equally inventive approaches.
4. Lifi-LED Côte d’Ivoire: Advancing Smart Lighting
Lifi-LED Côte d’Ivoire is at the forefront of smart lighting, blending light-based data transmission with energy-saving illumination. Their advanced lighting systems, tested in pilot projects across Ivorian cities, provide public Wi-Fi and connect IoT devices – making them a top choice for both public authorities and private businesses looking to modernize.
The company has created solutions tailored to local needs, improving safety in public spaces and offering data-driven tools for businesses. Their pilot projects have shown clear results, delivering better lighting quality while cutting operational costs.
By leveraging government incentives for ICT companies, such as tax exemptions [5], Lifi-LED is addressing vital infrastructure challenges in urban areas. The startup is also working with regulators to incorporate its technology into smart city plans, contributing to more advanced urban infrastructure. With growing interest from investors in the region [6], Lifi-LED’s scalable approach and practical solutions are solidifying its role in Côte d’Ivoire’s tech ecosystem.
As Lifi-LED focuses on transforming infrastructure, Afrikrea is making strides in e-commerce, supporting online entrepreneurs across the region.
5. Afrikrea: Supporting Online Sellers in Côte d’Ivoire
Afrikrea has carved out a niche in Côte d’Ivoire’s digital space as an e-commerce platform focused on African fashion and crafts. This startup connects local artisans and small businesses with customers worldwide, tackling key hurdles in the region’s e-commerce industry.
With $2 million in funding from Saviu Ventures [3], Afrikrea has built a platform that simplifies online selling. It offers tools for product listings, payment processing, and logistics, allowing merchants to handle their operations smoothly.
Here’s what the platform provides to sellers:
- Tools for listing products and managing inventory through an analytics dashboard
- Payment processing that supports multiple currencies
- Coordination for shipping and tracking international deliveries
- Insights for monitoring and improving business performance
Afrikrea integrates with existing systems like Orange Money and MTN Mobile Money, making it easier for merchants to scale their businesses. By solving issues like limited market access and logistical difficulties, it opens doors for local sellers to compete globally.
What sets Afrikrea apart is its focus on more than just being a marketplace. It equips sellers with the tools and resources to grow their businesses online. This approach directly addresses the obstacles African merchants face when trying to reach international buyers.
Afrikrea’s achievements highlight how technology can drive progress in Côte d’Ivoire’s economy. Alongside other startups, it’s playing a role in reshaping industries and creating opportunities across the country.
Conclusion
These startups showcase the creativity and determination fueling Côte d’Ivoire’s growing tech scene. From fintech to waste management, they are using technology to tackle pressing local issues while also developing solutions that can compete on a global scale. Their progress highlights Côte d’Ivoire’s rising influence in Africa’s tech evolution.
The range of industries represented by these ventures points to the growing sophistication of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Collectively, the top 10 startups have raised $19 million across 23 deals [3], signaling increasing confidence from investors in the region.
Programs like the Startup Act and seed funding initiatives, along with international backing from organizations such as develoPPP Ventures, are helping to create a strong base for further growth. Investors are stepping up, offering up to €100,000 in funding to help scale these businesses [1].
"Our collaboration with GIZ is an exciting step to support Ivorian entrepreneurs with tailored financial resources and expertise."
Success stories like Djamo, which secured support from Y Combinator, and Coliba, known for its impact on waste management, illustrate how government initiatives and global investment are driving local innovations forward. As Abidjan cements its role as a gateway to West Africa [7], these startups are seizing opportunities to address regional needs while solving local problems.
With their current growth and creative strategies, these startups are set to make 2025 a landmark year for Côte d’Ivoire’s tech ecosystem. Their progress will likely inspire future entrepreneurs and reinforce the country’s position as a leader in Francophone Africa’s digital revolution.
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