Some of the continent’s most impactful startups aren’t necessarily the most visible. As others chase headlines, these emerging ventures are quietly solving real problems and building the foundational infrastructure for Africa’s digital, financial, and industrial future.
This spotlight highlights startups across the continent with minimal media coverage but immense potential. From redefining cross-border remittances to transforming logistics, communications, healthtech, and AI, these companies are carving out novel paths and delivering real value through local context, deep problem-solving, and unconventional approaches.
The startups making bold moves across the world include;
- Vaulfi (Fintech, Algeria)
Founded by Safa Korti and Karim Khattaby in 2023, Vaulfi enables international money transfers for Algerians via a compliant multicurrency wallet. Users can send and receive funds globally and access both physical and virtual debit cards. With only 20% debit card penetration in Algeria, Vaulfi is a pioneer in a rural neobank space. - Revwit (SaaS, Nigeria)
Built by Chinedu Ossai, Dayo Adekanmbi, and Damilola Aluede (veterans of Interswitch, Microsoft, Bolt, and the London Stock Exchange) Revwit is a CRM and revenue management platform for African sales teams. The tool automates lead capture, email outreach, deal tracking, and team collaboration, all while supporting local workflows and currencies. It processed $800 million in deals within six months of its MVP launch. - Apexloads (Logistics, Kenya)
Founded by Charles Thuo in 2019, Apexloads tackles the issue of empty return trips in logistics by matching truckers with cargo in real time. It also offers a transport management system, CRM, and invoice factoring to increase efficiency and unlock working capital for logistics businesses across Kenya and Nigeria. - Zimi (EV, South Africa)
Launched in 2021 by Michael Maas, Zimi is developing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) infrastructure, allowing EVs to double as energy storage units. In power-strapped South Africa, this innovation enables fleet operators to mitigate fuel costs and electricity outages. Zimi received $320,000 in grant funding from EEP Africa to pilot the solution. - Caantin (AI, Zambia)
Caantin is deploying AI-powered voice agents to replace human sales calls for African businesses. In a region where voice is more accessible than chat due to low smartphone use and limited literacy, the startup offers deeply localised voice AI that handles orders and customer interactions in local dialects. - Stylebitt (SaaS, Nigeria)
Ibrahim Gana and Precious Aleaji co-founded Stylebitt in 2021 to digitise Nigeria’s informal tailoring industry. The platform stores customer measurements, manages orders, generates invoices, and offers real-time performance tracking, professionalising a traditionally chaotic sector. - SpitchAI (AI, Nigeria)
Founded in 2023 by Temiloluwa Babalola, SpitchAI creates voice AI models specifically for African languages and accents. It currently supports Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Nigerian-accented English, with plans to expand across West and East Africa. Its APIs can help businesses automate multilingual support and reach rural audiences. - Wayak (Healthtech, Egypt)
Dr. Khaled Ismail launched Wayak in 2019 to provide affordable medications and virtual healthcare services for chronic illness patients in Egypt. The app offers 24/7 access to doctors and pharmacists, discounted diagnostic services, and digitised medical records, serving rural areas by Egypt’s public healthcare system. - Vendy (Social Commerce, Nigeria)
Vendy enables Nigerian merchants to run shops entirely on WhatsApp, streamlining everything from inventory to invoicing and payments. In a country where WhatsApp is the go-to commerce platform, Vendy taps into a $1.55 billion social commerce opportunity. - Inalipa (E-commerce, Tanzania)
Founded by Hafiz Juma in 2020, Inalipa bridges the gap between B2B and B2C commerce by connecting Tanzanian micro-retailers and consumers to FMCG suppliers. The platform provides inventory access, delivery, and digital payments, serving both ends of the supply chain.
