Five African founders who staged major comebacks in 2025
- Venture funding into African startups climbed back across the $3 billion threshold in 2025, marking a 36% increase from the previous year.
- The market has shifted from funding numerous early-stage experiments to making larger, more deliberate investments, often exceeding $50 million.
- 68% of African founders typically exit the startup scene after failure, but in 2025, the stigma of failure is less pronounced among returning founders.
The evolution of Africa's tech ecosystem towards a more disciplined and evidence-based approach is promising. It reflects a maturation that could lead to sustainable growth and innovation. However, the challenge remains in balancing risk and opportunity, especially in a landscape still recovering from past failures.
