Sun King is a leading provider of solar energy products in Africa, known for its innovative financing solutions for off-grid energy access.
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.
Half of Africa’s Biggest ‘Startup Rounds’ in 2025 Were Actually Bank Loans
African tech funding crossed $3 billion in 2025, a 36% increase from 2024. Five of the top ten largest capital raises in 2025 were not equity investments but debt facilities and structured finance.
Why Equity Financing Is Driving Africa’s 2025 Startup Rebound
Investments in Africa's tech startups grew 36% year-over-year, exceeding $3 billion. Equity financing now accounts for over 90% of all funding in the region.
Venture Debt Hits Record High, Surpassing Equity Investment in Africa’s Startup Scene
Venture debt has outpaced equity investment in Africa's startup ecosystem for the first time in 2025. Startups raised $1.6 billion in debt financing between January and September 2025.
Next Wave: Can African banks pick up the startup funding baton?
Sun King closed a $156 million securitization led mainly through commercial banks to finance solar products in Kenya. Stanbic Bank plans to raise $100 million through a Catalytic Fund to finance startups and SMEs across East Africa.
