INFOGRAPHIC: Startup Funding in Africa and the Middle East — Week 18, 2025
Here are the venture funding activities we tracked in the Middle East and African region this week – including Lightrun, OmniRetail, Zeepay, Erad, Fuze, LayerX, Kofa, Tuba, True Gamers, Zest Equity, Techrar, Hushday, and MYDAWA.
As financial inclusion continues to take center stage across Africa and the Middle East, fintech is proving to be more than just a big bet for investors; it's become a lifeline for millions of users. With revenues projected to surge from $1.5 billion in 2022 to between $3.5 and $4.5 billion by 2025, it’s clear that this sector is not only growing but evolving at a rapid pace.
This momentum was reflected early in the week, as Nigerian B2B e-commerce startup OmniRetail bagged $20 million in Series A funding. Supported by Norfund and Timon Capital, the investment will fuel its expansion into Ghana and Ivory Coast, while strengthening its embedded finance offerings and logistics network.
Meanwhile, in Ghana, fintech company Zeepay secured $18 million in senior secured debt, arranged by Verdant Capital IMAP. The funds will improve liquidity for mobile money and cross-border transactions, further connecting global remittance services with local mobile wallets.
In Saudi Arabia, fintech startup Erad raised $16 million in a pre-Series A round. Investors, including Y Combinator, Nuwa Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, and others, participated in this round to bridge the SME credit gap across the MENA region.
The UAE also saw fintech activity, with startup Fuze securing $12.2 million in a Series A round led by Galaxy and e& capital, and joined by Further Ventures. This funding will help Fuze bridge traditional finance with digital assets and expand its regional reach.
In addition, Zest Equity, a UAE-based platform streamlining access to private market investments, scored $4.3 million in pre-Series A funding. Led by Prosus Ventures, with support from Morgan Stanley Inclusive and Sustainable Ventures (MSISV), this capital will drive expansion in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Beyond fintech, Israel’s Lightrun, a developer observability platform, garnered attention with a $70 million Series B round, led by Accel and Insight Partners, with additional backing from Citi and others. This funding will accelerate its push into autonomous remediation, expanding its offerings beyond traditional developer tools.
In the cybersecurity sector, LayerX added $11 million to its ongoing Series A, bringing the total funding to $45 million. Led by Jump Capital and backed by Glilot Capital Partners and Dell Technologies Capital, this extension will enhance its AI-powered enterprise browser protection solutions.
Meanwhile, in the gaming space, UAE-based True Gamers raised $5 million in seed funding, bringing its total investment in the UAE to $15.5 million. This capital will support its expansion across MENA and Europe.
In the green energy sector, Kofa, a Ghana-based startup, closed an $8.1 million pre-Series A round, combining equity, debt, and grant funding. Co-led by E3 Capital and Injaro Investment Advisors, with support from the Shell Foundation and others, the funds will help expand Kofa’s battery-swapping network across African cities.
Also in Saudi Arabia, healthtech startup Tuba raised $8 million in a pre-seed round led by Al-Waalan Investment, with support from angel investors. The funding will aid early product development and market entry as Tuba addresses key gaps in healthcare innovation.
On the SaaS front, Saudi-based subscription management platform Techrar raised $1.6 million from Wa’ed Ventures (Aramco’s VC arm). The investment will enhance Techrar’s subscription and billing tools, catering to regional startups and SMEs.
Consumer-facing platforms weren’t left out, with UAE-based premium e-commerce startup Hushday securing $550,000 in pre-seed funding from undisclosed investors. This capital will support its launch in the Emirates and facilitate its planned expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Finally, Kenya’s digital health platform MYDAWA closed an undisclosed round, led by IFU and with participation from Alta Semper, AAIC Investment, Creadev, and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co. This funding will help scale its hybrid “Bricks-and-Clicks Super Pharmacy” model and integrate AI to make healthcare more accessible and intelligent.
With over $150 million raised this week across the region, the trend is undeniable: as financial tools become smarter and more inclusive, the MEA startup ecosystem is stepping up with high-impact solutions that resonate deeply with the region’s everyday needs.
