Africa’s Fundraising Momentum 2025: Fintech Faces New Rivals as Climate And Energy Contend For Share of Funds

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October 21, 2025

As 2025 enters its final quarter, Africa’s start-up ecosystem continues to evolve, reflecting shifting investor priorities and sectoral momentum.

A review of year-to-date (YTD) fundraising data from January to September 2025 by Africa: The Big Deal reveals key trends shaping the continent’s innovation landscape. While Fintech continues to command significant attention, Energy and Climate-focused ventures are rapidly catching up.

Fintech Still Dominates

Fintech remains the dominant force in African start-up fundraising, but its share is narrowing. So far in 2025, the sector has attracted 33% of total funding, equivalent to $725 million out of $2.2 billion, excluding exits. Of this, fintechs accounted for 33% of equity funding and 29% of debt funding.

While this performance underscores fintech’s enduring appeal, the proportion is relatively lower than the historical average. Between 2019 and 2024, fintech captured around 45% of total funding, reaching a peak of 56% in 2021. The last time its share dipped to 33% was in 2020.

Among the 11 start-ups that raised more than $50 million in 2025, five are fintechs which are; Wave, secured $137 million in debt financing, Bokra, raised $59 million (also in debt). Stitch and LemFi completed Series B rounds of $55 million and $53 million, respectively, and Tasaheel (MNT-Halan) issued a $50 million corporate bond.

Energy Sector Surges, Matching Fintech in Funding Share

For the first time since 2019, the energy sector is nearly neck-and-neck with fintech in total funding raised, accounting for another 33% of the total so far in 2025. This is largely driven by a wave of debt financing, with energy start-ups raising $585 million this year, almost as much as all sectors combined in the entirety of 2024.

Four of the top 11 largest fundraisers this year are in the energy space which are, d.light ($300 million debt), Sun King ($156 million debt), Burn ($90 million debt), and PowerGen ($55 million equity).

Energy ventures have been particularly active in the debt market, capturing 63% of all debt raised in 2025, compared to 29% for fintech. However, their share of equity funding remains more modest at 11%, well below fintech’s 33%.

Climate Tech Gains Momentum

The strong performance of the energy sector has also boosted the profile of climate-focused start-ups, which now account for 39% of total funding in 2025, the highest share on record. This reinforces a trend first identified in 2023, as investors increasingly prioritize sustainability and green innovation.

Since 2019, over $5 billion has been invested in African climate tech start-ups, including $2.7 billion in just the past three years. This underscores the sector’s growing maturity and its critical role in Africa’s economic and environmental future.

Debt Financing on the Rise

Another defining feature of 2025 is the continued growth of debt financing in African start-up funding. So far this year, start-ups have raised $935 million in debt, surpassing the totals for both 2022 and 2024, and putting the ecosystem on track to exceed the $1.1 billion record set in 2023.

Debt now represents 42% of all funding raised in 2025, the highest share since 2019. This shift reflects a maturing ecosystem where:

Start-ups with stable revenues are increasingly turning to debt.
Debt instruments are becoming more available.
Energy and infrastructure ventures require larger debt packages.
Start-ups are more transparent about their debt financing, and
Media reporting on debt rounds has improved.

Since 2019, Africa’s start-ups have raised an estimated $3.9 billion in debt, with energy ventures accounting for nearly half ($1.9 billion). Fintech follows with 32%, and logistics and transportation with 11%. In 2025, the dominance of energy in debt financing has reached new heights, at 63% of all debt raised.

Outlook

The report suggests that while fintech continues to lead Africa’s start-up scene, the funding landscape is becoming more diversified. Energy and climate tech ventures are emerging as major contenders, backed by rising investor confidence in sustainable infrastructure.

Overall, Africa’s start-up funding in 2025 paints the picture of a maturing and diversifying innovation economy, one that balances profitability, sustainability, and long-term impact.

What Is Your Platform Risk?

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

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October 21, 2025

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More than 25 startups collapsed or pivoted in Nigeria when WhatsApp banking faded in Nigeria. Yes, that your big bank’s WhatsApp banking solution suddenly disappeared in the channel. That is one of the perils of building on some of these platforms. Simply, one change in the Terms & Conditions can break business models.

Meta which owns WhatsApp has one this week and it has to do with using WhatsApp to distribute AI agents: “Starting next year, Meta will ban some chatbots from WhatsApp… Meta said businesses using AI to serve customers on the platform won’t be affected. So, for example, a travel company won’t be barred from running a bot for customer service on the app. Rather, the move aims to prevent companies, besides Meta, from using WhatsApp to distribute AI agents. ” -LinkedIn News.

In other words, Meta wants to keep WhatsApp for the distribution of only Meta’s AI agents! So, OpenAI, Perplexity, etc must find new ecosystems to distribute their agents. And that brings to my question: “What Is Your Platform Risk?”

PayPal Mafia Rift Deepens as Reid Hoffman, David Sacks Clash Over AI and Politics

By

Samuel Nwite

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October 21, 2025

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Two of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures — LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist David Sacks — have reignited their long-running feud, this time over artificial intelligence and its regulation.

The exchange between Hoffman and Sacks, both early members of the original “PayPal Mafia,” spilled into public view on Monday after Hoffman publicly defended Anthropic, a leading AI startup that Sacks had accused of “fear-mongering” and pushing a “regulatory capture strategy.”

“Anthropic, along with some others (incl Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI) are trying to deploy AI the right way, thoughtfully, safely, and enormously beneficial for society,” Hoffman wrote on X. “That’s why I am intensely rooting for their success.”

Hoffman, who has served on Microsoft’s board since 2017 following the company’s acquisition of LinkedIn, revealed that his venture capital firm, Greylock, has invested in Anthropic. He said he typically avoids commenting on individual AI companies but felt compelled to speak because “in all industries, especially in AI, it’s important to back the good guys.”

The comment appeared to be a direct response to Sacks, who last week criticized Anthropic after Jack Clark, the company’s co-founder and head of policy, published an essay titled “Technological Optimism and Appropriate Fear.” Sacks accused the company of orchestrating a “sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering,” saying Anthropic was “principally responsible for the state regulatory frenzy that is damaging the startup ecosystem.”

Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives and researchers who left over safety concerns, has been at the center of U.S. debates about AI oversight. The company has resisted federal efforts to block state-level AI regulation — including a Trump-backed provision that would have barred states from passing their own AI rules for ten years.

Sacks, who serves as President Donald Trump’s AI and crypto czar, has argued that such state regulations would stifle innovation and entrench large firms. Anthropic has taken the opposite view, warning that the rapid deployment of generative AI tools without guardrails could pose safety risks and public harm.

The policy divide between the two former PayPal colleagues quickly escalated into a personal and political clash.

“The leading funder of lawfare and dirty tricks against President Trump wants you to know that ‘Anthropic is one of the good guys,’” Sacks wrote on X in response to Hoffman’s post. “Thanks for clarifying that. All we needed to know.”

“Indeed,” Elon Musk replied, amplifying Sacks’ comment. Musk, another PayPal alumnus and founder of xAI, has also become a prominent figure in the Trump administration’s second term.

Hoffman fired back: “Shows you didn’t read the post (not shocked). When you are ready to have a professional conversation about AI’s impact on America, I’m here to chat.”

The exchange marked another chapter in the ideological split between Hoffman and Sacks — one that mirrors Silicon Valley’s broader political realignment. Hoffman, a major Democratic donor, poured millions into Kamala Harris’ unsuccessful presidential bid. Sacks, by contrast, emerged as a key Trump supporter ahead of the 2024 election and hosted a fundraiser for him at his San Francisco mansion.

Hoffman and Sacks were both early employees at PayPal, joining in 1999 and helping shape the online payments firm that later produced some of Silicon Valley’s most powerful entrepreneurs. Alongside Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Max Levchin, they became part of the so-called “PayPal Mafia,” a group whose members went on to found or fund major technology companies including Tesla, SpaceX, YouTube, Palantir, and LinkedIn.

The AI argument between the two, however, underscores a deeper policy divide emerging in the post-PayPal generation. AI development has become one of the most politically charged issues in Washington, dividing companies and policymakers over questions of safety, innovation, and control.

Hoffman, who was also an early investor in OpenAI and remains a shareholder, has positioned himself as an advocate for what he calls “responsible progress” in AI. His view aligns with that of major technology firms such as Microsoft and Google, both of which have publicly supported safety frameworks and risk assessments in deploying advanced AI systems.

Sacks, on the other hand, has used his government role to promote a lighter regulatory approach that prioritizes innovation and market freedom. His criticism of Anthropic reflects a broader skepticism among Trump administration officials who argue that AI companies are exaggerating safety risks to secure favorable regulations that would limit competition from smaller firms.

The public exchange between Hoffman and Sacks drew reactions from other Silicon Valley figures, including Jason Calacanis, co-host of the All-In podcast with Sacks. Calacanis invited Hoffman to join the show for another discussion, writing, “Come on the pod.”

Hoffman, who appeared on the podcast at the end of August — roughly two months before the presidential election — replied that he was “open to coming back on” but added, “this week is packed.”

The renewed tension between two of PayPal’s most influential alumni comes against the backdrop of intensifying scrutiny in the AI industry, over how new technologies interact with laws, labor, and democracy itself. For Hoffman, AI’s benefits depend on what he calls “deploying it the right way.” For Sacks, the threat lies in overregulation — and in his view, companies like Anthropic represent precisely that danger.

Their disagreement captures a broader collision between Silicon Valley’s libertarian past and its new era of political entanglement — where the question of who gets to define “the good guys” in AI may ultimately shape the technology’s future.

Global Firms Report $35bn in Tariff Costs as Trump’s Trade Deals Ease Worst Fears

By

Samuel Nwite

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October 21, 2025

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Global corporations have flagged more than $35 billion in costs linked to U.S. tariffs heading into third-quarter earnings, according to a new Reuters analysis, but a growing number of firms are paring back their initial projections as new trade deals brokered by President Donald Trump begin to reduce exposure to his sweeping import levies.

Trump’s trade war, which has pushed U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s, initially triggered widespread uncertainty across supply chains. But executives say that a clearer framework is emerging following the president’s bilateral agreements with major economies such as the European Union and Japan. The resulting stability has allowed many companies to recalibrate their forecasts, adjust pricing, and revive stalled investment plans.

Between July 16 and September 30, global companies reported a combined financial hit of between $21 billion and $22.9 billion for 2025, with an additional $15 billion expected for 2026. The total, which exceeds $35 billion, represents a modest increase from the $34 billion tallied in May, shortly after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs jolted global trade.

However, the rise in aggregate figures masks a trend toward downward revisions. Much of the increase stems from Toyota’s updated $9.5 billion estimate, while several other multinationals — particularly in Europe and Japan — have cut their earlier, more dire forecasts after Trump’s recent lower-rate trade agreements reduced their tariff exposure.

French spirits producers Rémy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard, for instance, trimmed their expected losses following the EU deal, while Sony revised its August forecast downward. Trump has also carved out exemptions for certain countries; only about one-third of Brazil’s exports, for example, are now subject to the steep 50 percent tariff rate initially announced.

“Tariffs are getting clearer and clearer,” Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa told Reuters in mid-October. “We believe that tariffs will be just another variable of our business equation that we need to be ready to manage — and we will.”

Filosa spoke as Stellantis rolled out details of a new $13 billion, four-year investment plan for U.S. manufacturing, signaling that auto giants are adapting to the shifting trade landscape.

The International Chamber of Commerce’s Deputy Secretary General, Andrew Wilson, said the flurry of bilateral deals has provided a “landing point” for many companies previously paralyzed by uncertainty.

“There will continue to be much greater complexity and this massive uncertainty,” Wilson said, adding that while some stability has returned, Trump’s unpredictable trade posture still looms large over boardroom planning.

Indeed, earlier this month, Trump floated the possibility of new 100 percent tariffs on China — a move that rattled markets before he later conceded that such rates “would not be sustainable.”

Corporate Earnings Reflect Mixed Impact

S&P 500 firms are projected to report 9.3 percent earnings growth for the July–September period, down from 13.8 percent in the second quarter, according to LSEG data. Analysts attribute the slowdown partly to tariff-driven costs and inflationary pass-throughs to consumers.

Europe’s Stoxx 600 index is expected to post just 0.5 percent earnings growth, compared to 4 percent in the prior quarter, further reflecting the trade-related drag on multinational profits.

The hardest-hit sectors remain consumer goods and manufacturing — particularly companies that rely heavily on suppliers in nations lacking trade agreements with Washington.

Nike, which sources much of its apparel and footwear from Vietnam and other Asian countries, raised its tariff impact estimate to $1.5 billion from $1 billion late last month. In Europe, French appliance maker SEB cut its profit outlook, citing weaker consumer demand and delayed purchases “partly due to tariffs.” Meanwhile, Swedish fashion giant H&M warned that U.S. import tariffs would weigh on profit margins through November.

“We are cautious about the U.S. heading into the fourth quarter,” said H&M CEO Daniel Erver. “Tariffs are affecting our gross margin, but equally, they are impacting consumer sentiment. We can see the price increases.”

Price hikes are indeed the most common response companies have cited in the Reuters tracker, as firms attempt to pass part of the tariff burden to consumers.

Auto and Pharma Sectors Adjust Strategies

Carmakers remain among the largest victims of Trump’s trade war, with Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, and Toyota collectively reporting billions in added costs. Ford alone expects a cumulative $3 billion impact, though optimism is building that forthcoming tariff relief for U.S. auto production could offset many of those losses.

Drugmakers, too, are adapting by negotiating exemptions tied to pricing and domestic manufacturing. Pfizer and AstraZeneca have both struck new arrangements to mitigate tariff exposure, paving the way for similar deals across the sector.

Then and Now

The $35 billion in tariff-related costs reported by global firms today recalls the financial turbulence of the 2018–2019 U.S.–China trade conflict, when corporate losses peaked above $40 billion amid tit-for-tat tariffs that hit agriculture, autos, and technology sectors. But unlike that earlier period — marked by deep supply chain paralysis and investor flight — the current phase has been tempered by targeted bilateral deals and selective exemptions.

Analysts say the difference is that companies now have clearer mechanisms to forecast exposure, even under aggressive tariff regimes, allowing them to adapt rather than freeze operations. Still, the underlying risk of escalation remains, as Trump continues to use tariffs as a primary tool of trade negotiation.

The shifting dynamics suggest that global businesses are beginning to operate with greater predictability under Trump’s aggressive trade policy — though the relief remains uneven. Companies benefiting from bilateral agreements are stabilizing, while those outside the trade pacts continue to struggle with elevated costs and logistical disruption.

Currently, the $35 billion figure captures both the lingering pain and the early signs of recalibration in a trade environment that has tested corporate agility more than any in recent memory.

5 Crypto Coins That Could Bring 2021 Dogecoin (DOGE) Gains in 2025

By

TI Partners

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October 21, 2025

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Wild cards, those unexpected tokens that immediately turn early adopters into household names, are a feature of every cryptocurrency boom. In 2021, that coin was Dogecoin (DOGE). Many new coins that tell the same story are now being developed. Little Pepe (LILPEPE) is unique among them. As of this writing, LILPEPE’s presale price is $0.0022, and early investors have already made about 120% of their money, with a predicted 36.36% gain before launch. Let’s take a look at five tokens that may bring back that DOGE energy in 2025.

Little Pepe (LILPEPE) – The Meme Coin With Real Utility

At the time of writing, Little Pepe is in presale stage 13, selling tokens at $0.0022, with over $27,137,602 raised out of $28,775,000. The presale is 95.69% filled, and more than 16.5 billion tokens have been sold. Early buyers from stage 1 are already up 120%, and those joining now still have the chance for about 36% potential gains before its launch price of $0.0030.

What makes Little Pepe unique is that it is more than just another meme token. The project is building on Ethereum with its own Layer 2 scalability plan, zero transaction tax, and a community-first model that has driven real traction. It’s already listed on CoinMarketCap and audited by Certik, giving investors confidence in its transparency. Beyond that, the team has rolled out a $777K Giveaway and a Mega Giveaway, both rewarding top presale buyers with over 15 ETH in prizes.

Social data indicates that LILPEPE outperformed PEPE, DOGE, and SHIB in terms of ChatGPT 5 memecoin search patterns from June to August 2025. That illustrates how intense the excitement is for this currency, which takes a fresh and community-driven approach by fusing humor, culture, and blockchain innovation.

Sky Protocol (SKY) – The DeFi Governance Contender

According to CoinMarketCap, Sky Protocol (SKY) has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion and is currently trading at about $0.070. With an emphasis on decentralized governance and real-world asset tokenization, SKY developed from the MakerDAO ecosystem. It’s not a meme token, but with DeFi picking up again, this coin could quietly surprise.

Kaspa (KAS) – The Fast and Fearless Network

Kaspa is known for its BlockDAG technology that allows faster block confirmations and high scalability, as it trades at $0.0519. It’s one of those projects that could attract developers and users as blockchain speeds become more important in 2025.

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) – The NFT Brand Going Mainstream

Starting with a well-liked NFT line, this endeavor has evolved its adorable penguin characters into a brand offering toys, collaborations, and community storytelling. PENGU may have a resurgence if NFTs recover in 2025, as it trades at $0.0213.

Sei Network (SEI) – The High-Speed DeFi Chain

Sei (SEI) trades at about $0.31, with a market cap of $1.8 billion. Sei Network focuses on high-performance DeFi, optimized for speed and liquidity. SEI could climb bullishly if DeFi trading volume rises once more in 2025.

Final Thoughts

Some investors are chasing that next DOGE moment, something that starts small but blows up into a global movement. Among these five tokens, Little Pepe (LILPEPE) feels closest to that mix of community magic, humor, and innovation that powered DOGE’s rise. The anticipated 36% gain still makes it one of the most alluring entries before listing, even though the presale is nearly sold out at $0.0022 and the launch is scheduled at $0.0030. It might be time to take a closer look at DOGE before it’s too late if you missed its 2021 breakout.

For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:

Website: https://littlepepe.com

Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf

Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken

Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

$777k Giveaway: https://littlepepe.com/777k-giveaway/