Yet in recent years, Africa has seen the rise of startups that have conquered their markets and attracted major international investors.
We often hear about Silicon Valley, China, or Israel as hubs of innovation. Yet in recent years, Africa has seen the rise of startups that have conquered their markets and attracted major international investors. These success stories show that the continent is bursting with opportunities. And the diaspora has a key role to play in accelerating this momentum.
🟢 Paystack (Nigeria)
Founded in 2015 by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, this startup made online payments seamless across West Africa. In 2020, it was acquired by Stripe for over $200 million.
Lesson: Solving structural problems can attract global giants.
🟢 Flutterwave (Nigeria)
Launched in 2016, Flutterwave has become one of Africa’s highest-valued fintechs. It enables cross-border payments for millions of businesses.
Lesson: Building regional—not just national—solutions scales your impact.
🟢 M-KOPA (Kenya)
Since 2011, M-KOPA has provided solar energy to low-income households using a microfinance model. It has already equipped over 3 million homes.
Lesson: Frugal innovation can transform millions of lives.
These founders didn’t succeed alone. They had early believers—often diaspora investors or mission-aligned funds—who backed them from the start. The African diaspora has a unique role to play: it understands local realities while having access to capital, expertise, and global networks.
- Invest in early-stage startups (love money)
- Offer mentorship and strategic guidance
- Open doors through your network and visibility
- Fund startups through dedicated platforms
The next Airbnb, the next Stripe, or even the next Tesla could be African.
And it might grow because of you.
Investing in African entrepreneurs today means helping to shape a future where the continent doesn’t just catch up—it leads.
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