Solar and renewables are vying with fintech and payments as the top draws for African venture capital, with investors viewing energy projects as the most attractive on the continent’s startup scene, a study found. Fintech and digital remained the most-funded sector by volume and deal count, the London-based research company said in the sixth edition of its study. Solar energy was the top-funded category across 29 deals, driven by a surge in demand for off-grid power solutions as companies see opportunities to reach the almost 600 million people in Africa without electricity. The sector grew 26% from the previous year, with companies such as d.light, Sun King, CrossBoundary Energy, and SolarAfrica reaching deals. Francophone West Africa — particularly Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso — is emerging as an increasingly active hub of climate-focused companies, the report said.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 22, 2026 08:02 UTC