By Abdulafeez Olaitan
Nigerian startups have made a remarkable impact on the African technology ecosystem, claiming multiple spots on The Africa Report’s 20 Tech Champions list for 2025—a testament to the sector’s growing influence and innovation.
Topping the Nigerian entries is Flex Finance, ranked as the country’s #1 startup, reaffirming its influence within Africa’s booming fintech space. Other notable Nigerian startups on the list include Klas, Kredete, and TerraHaptix.
Curated through a survey of 50 leading venture capitalists (VCs) across Africa, the exclusive list highlights the most promising early-stage enterprises shaping the continent’s tech future.
The recognition comes at a time of strategic shifts in African tech funding. According to Partech Africa, although seed-stage investment in the region has fluctuated in recent years, this adjustment is paving the way for more sustainable growth models and increased investor discernment.
Despite these challenges, Nigerian startups continue to thrive, reflecting the ecosystem’s resilience and market potential. Since its inception, Flex Finance has transformed business finance management, offering SMEs and enterprises an intuitive platform to track expenses, optimize spending, and maintain financial discipline.
The 2025 list reveals that financial technology remains at the forefront of innovation in Africa, with 10 of the 20 selected companies specializing in fintech. This concentration underscores sustained investor confidence in the disruption of traditional financial services, even amid broader funding contractions.
In addition to Nigeria’s Flex Finance, other standout startups featured include Egypt’s Axis—which raised $8.25 million in funding—Kenya’s Credrails, and South Africa’s Nile (AgriTech).
Meanwhile, the biotech sector is showing significant promise, with Ghana’s Yemaachi and standout Spore Bio making the list. The latter secured an impressive $23 million in 2023—the largest funding round among all featured companies. These ventures exemplify the resilience and innovation propelling Africa’s next wave of technological advancement.
Nigeria’s strong presence on the 2025 Tech Champions list reflects the nation’s growing prominence in Africa’s startup scene.
The report also noted the rising influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the African tech landscape, with AI-powered startups in healthcare, agriculture, and logistics gaining momentum. Still, fintech remains a reliable favorite for investors—with Flex Finance leading the charge from Nigeria.
