Economy
Nigerian Startups Attract $1.2bn from $4.8bn Inflow to Africa in 2022
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria remained the most dominant force when it came to funding raised in 2022 as the country saw a total of $1.2 billion injected by investors in startups, according to estimates seen by Business Post.
In a report, Africa: The Big Deal, Nigerian startups, in the year under review, saw 286 deals worth more than $100,000.
This is even as there was a 29 per cent drop in funding into the country compared to $1.7 billion recorded in 2021. For context, Nigeria recorded $440 million in 2020 and $704 million in 2019.
The country recorded two $100 million+ mega deals in 2022, led by Flutterwave’s $250 million Series D in February and Interswitch’s $110 million round announced in May. This is a drop compared to five deals on record in 2021.
“Nigeria is still the largest market by far in terms of funding (286 $100k+ deals, +14% YoY | $1.2bn, -29% YoY),” the report noted.
In 2022, Western Africa was the region that attracted the largest share of both fundings as it recorded 37 per cent of the investments that came into the continent. It also held the lead in the number of $100,000+ deals (37 per cent also) on the continent.
Overall, Nigeria has seen its regional hegemony further challenged in 2022, with its share of regional funding down 17 percentage points to 68 per cent. In 2021, it had 85 per cent, and it was 88 per cent in 2020, while it stood at 92 per cent in 2019.
The West African region topped the charts in 2021, with 37 per cent of deals and an even higher share of funding then (43 per cent). However, last year, the numbers went down 12 per cent to $1.8 billion compared to $2 billion in the preceding year.
East Africa continued in the second spot as it raked in $1.2 billion.
However, the report fingered noted that most of this dip recorded by Nigeria is due to Ghana’s very strong performance in 2022. The country recorded 47 deals over $100,000 for a total of nearly $400 million (estimating PEG Africa’s acquisition by Bboxx at $200m), nearly 8x times more than in 2021. Ghana ranked #5 at the continent level in terms of funding raised in 2022.
Senegal (#6) followed with 19 $100,000+ deals (same as 2021) and $112 million raised (-50 per cent Year-on-YearoY). Its unicorn, Wave, continued to dominate the numbers, though with 82 per cent of the amount raised in 2022 (with $90 million+ in debt secured), and 90 per cent in 2021 (through its $200 million Series A round).
Further behind is Côte d’Ivoire, with a stable amount of $100,000+ deals (12) but saw a 300 per cent increase in funding to $34 million compared to $11 million.
Togo recorded $10 million following Gozem’s $10 million deal with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The report noted that while Mali, Sierra Leone, and the Benin Republic also raised some funding, seven countries in the region recorded no deal at all over $100,000 in 2022.
“Finally, it is worth noting that Western Africa punches above its weight with a higher percentage of funding (37%) than its share of the continent’s population (30%) or GDP (27%). The same goes for its heavyweight Nigeria (25% of Africa’s funding vs. 15% of its population and 17% of its GDP).
“The region averages $4.2 of funding raised per capita, which is over the continental average ($3.2pc). For Nigeria, this number stands at $5.5pc,” the report noted.
Continent-wide, the total amount of funding recorded by African startups amounted to $4.84 billion in 2022, a 7.6 per cent increase from $4.46 billion recorded in 2021.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given the power to arrest and detain six promoters of the troubled investment scheme operator, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).
The EFCC, through its counsel, Ms Fadila Yusuf, filed an ex-parte motion to keep the suspects in its custody pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.
The suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and on Thursday, Justice Emeka Nwite, allowed the anti-money laundering organisation to further detain the sextet of Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim as 1st to 6th defendants, respectively.
The commission asked the court to grant it “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.”
“The defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case,” she added.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant, EFCC. I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I hold that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited would soon commence, but did not give a specific timeline.
He made this disclosure while speaking at the Nigerian Investor Forum, which is holding on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington D.C, the US, also attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso.
He explained that the recent rejigging of the management of the NNPC was part of the cleansing the federal government has taken to audit the company
Addressing a group of investors drawn from renowned global financial institutions, including J.P. Morgan, the Minister outlined critical reforms the federal government has implemented to reset the economy and restore confidence.
Mr Edun told the foreign investors that the government, through its veracious reforms, have laid the foundation that would make the country the desired destination for private investors as he said the country is on the road to 7 per cent annual growth, calling for investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and agriculture.
The Minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has implemented foundational reforms that are now yielding results, with the Nigerian economy expanding 3.84 per cent in Q4 2024 and 3.4 per cent overall for the year.
“Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this,” he stated.
The finance minister further emphasized the significance of the reforms, noting they are “unprecedented” and have drawn praise from multilateral partners during ongoing discussions in Washington.
“We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course,” Mr Edun added.
He noted that with macroeconomic stability gradually returning as reflected in narrowing budget deficits, improved trade balance, and a stabilizing exchange rate, adding that the government is now shifting its focus to targeted sectoral growth.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, the minister revealed the rollout of 90,000km of fiber optic cable to enhance digital connectivity, a move seen as critical to empowering Nigeria’s youth and tech entrepreneurs.
In addition, 4,000km of roads have been tendered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already signed off for delivery.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has reiterated its commitment to prioritising shipping activities and promoting importers and exporters in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Pius Akutah, in a statement on Wednesday, said this after a familiarisation visit to the North East Zonal Directorate in Bauchi State.
The visit marked a strategic step in assessing the activities of the council in the region and reinforcing its role in trade facilitation and port economic regulation.
“The purpose of the visit was to promote regional integration in shipping activities and support exportation.
“This aligns with the current administration’s goal of enhancing the nation’s resources through the blue economy.
“We have had interactive meeting with stakeholders aimed at advancing shipping activities in the region and the role of shippers’ association in representing the interests of importers and exporters.
“The NSC is committed to improving ease of doing business,” he said.
On the Inland Dry Ports project in Bauchi, an initiative by the state government, Mr Akutah said it was laudable as it would attract both import and export activities to the area.
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