Grace Ashiru
The fintech sector in Africa has witnessed impressive growth in recent years, with startups thriving. However, the funding landscape for 2023 shows signs of change, hinting at potential challenges ahead.
As outlined in “Finnovating for Africa,” a biennial publication by Disrupt Africa in collaboration with AZA Finance and Curacel, which monitors the development of the fintech ecosystem across Africa, 2023 is expected to see a decline in funding as the sector grapples with the effects of a global capital shortage.
A prior report highlighted by Techloy indicates a 21% decrease in African fintech funding during the year’s first half. This trend suggests that we brace for lower overall figures by the conclusion 2023 in the African fintech funding landscape.
Interestingly, a few funding rounds played a significant role in reaching that total. Notably, Egypt’s MNT-Halan’s $400 million investment round made a substantial contribution to the overall amount.
Examining the funding background of the continent, the Disrupt Africa report has emphasized a consistent upward trend in total yearly investments since 2016, with a minor dip in 2019. Meanwhile, another report by Africa: The Big Deal has showcased a remarkable surge in funding for the ecosystem, particularly between 2021 and 2022, witnessing an influx of over $4.3 billion into the fintech sector during this period.
However, despite this steady annual growth in investments, it’s evident that 2023 is poised to witness a decline. Intriguingly, the majority of fintech funding in Africa is expected to remain concentrated in the “big four” startup hubs: Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, which collectively attracted approximately 90% of investments in the first half of 2023.
Clearly, the African fintech sector is undeniably flourishing, driving financial inclusion and fostering a commercial revolution across the continent. Nevertheless, the evolving funding landscape in 2023, influenced by global economic factors, implies that fintech stakeholders may need to adapt and innovate to successfully navigate the impending challenges.
