African startups to watch in 2026
- Skeepy, founded by James Ogunjimi, is Nigeria's first pet health insurance provider, aiming to create a national database of pets.
- Pewbeam AI, developed by Dara Sobaloju, offers an AI tool that displays Bible passages based on keywords, accessible offline.
- Xara AI, created by Sulaiman Adewale, is an AI-powered WhatsApp assistant for financial transactions, targeting the Nigerian market.
The emergence of these startups signifies a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in Nigeria, addressing both local and global challenges. However, their success will depend on navigating regulatory landscapes and market acceptance. It will be crucial for these companies to maintain innovation while ensuring compliance with evolving laws, particularly in sectors like healthcare and finance.
