Female-led ventures get just 2% as Africa’s startup funding dips in March 2025
- African startups raised only $50 million in March 2025, the lowest monthly total since late 2020.
- Funding in March represents an 82.7% decrease from the $289 million raised in January 2025.
- The Big Four countries—Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa—accounted for 83% of total funding.
The significant decline in funding for African startups, particularly for female-founded ventures, highlights persistent gender biases and the need for systemic change in the investment landscape. While the drop poses serious challenges, it also presents an opportunity for startups to innovate and seek alternative funding sources, which could lead to a more resilient ecosystem in the long run.
