African startups raise $2.16B in nine months as debt falls 33%
- African startups raised $2.16 billion between January and September 2026, a 4% decrease from 2025.
- Equity funding reached $1.5 billion, marking a 23% year-on-year increase.
- Debt funding dropped 33% to $669 million, reducing its share of total funding to 31%.
The shift from debt to equity funding among African startups reflects a maturing ecosystem, but the reliance on government grants and smaller funding rounds for early-stage companies raises concerns about accessibility and sustainability. Stakeholders should consider strategies to support early-stage ventures to ensure a balanced growth trajectory.
