North Africa rises on deals as MENA AI funding hits $858 million
- The MENA region's AI sector attracted $858 million in funding in 2025, nearly double the previous year's amount.
- AI funding accounted for 22% of total venture capital deployed across MENA in 2025.
- North Africa's AI visibility is primarily through deal activity rather than funding volume.
The significant increase in AI funding and deal activity in the MENA region, particularly in North Africa, suggests a burgeoning ecosystem for AI startups. However, the concentration of funding in a few markets raises concerns about equitable growth across the region. It will be crucial for stakeholders to foster a more balanced distribution of resources to support diverse innovation in AI.
