While the spotlight often shines on headline-grabbing mega-rounds, the bedrock of Africa’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem lies in the consistent flow of smaller (or missed bigger rounds), yet equally vital, investments. This month’s edition of the African Startup Deal Tracker delves into these under-the-radar transactions, encompassing pre-seed funding, angel investments, and strategic acquisitions that collectively paint a picture of sustained growth and investor confidence across the continent. These deals, spanning diverse sectors from agri-tech to legal tech, highlight the ingenuity of African startup founders and the breadth of opportunities being seized.

Here’s a closer look at the notable under-the-radar investment activity we’re tracking this month:

Ridelink Inc.

• Investment: An undisclosed investment amount (joining the Fuzé portfolio).
• Investor(s): Digital Africa (Fuzé portfolio).
• Sector/Focus: Logistics Tech / AI. An AI-powered, asset-light logistics marketplace that connects businesses to reliable transporters, aiming to digitize logistics, cut costs, and enable cross-border trade for SMEs.
• Country of Operation: Uganda.
• Purpose: To scale faster, empower more entrepreneurs, and drive the continent toward a smarter, more connected future by digitizing logistics.

develoPPP Ventures Investments (Côte d’Ivoire)

• Investment: €100,000 in equity investment per company.
• Investor(s): develoPPP Ventures (funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ).
• Sector/Focus: Five high-potential startups in various sectors across Francophone Africa.
• Country of Operation: Côte d’Ivoire (and Francophone Africa).
• Purpose: To support business growth and help the companies scale their social and economic impact.
• Startups Funded (The Five Companies):
• Sikili (Recycling/E-commerce): Certified refurbished tech marketplace to reduce e-waste.
• Trenderz (Ad-Tech): Influence marketing platform connecting venues with creators.
• WARIBEI (FinTech): Connects merchants and banks through digital credit and procurement solutions.
• JOBO (Job-Tech/HR-Tech): Digitalizes temporary work and recruitment, promoting formal employment.
• djoli (AgriTech): Digital fresh produce supply platform for hospitality, connecting chefs directly to local producers.

Jobomax Homes

• Investment: A strategic investment of an undisclosed amount.
• Investor(s): Nimba Fund (managed by Niandan).
• Sector/Focus: Real Estate / Affordable Housing / Fintech. A homebuilder focused on delivering affordable housing solutions and developing housing finance structures for diaspora and local communities.
• Country of Operation: Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone.
• Purpose: To accelerate the expansion of affordable housing and facilitate the creation of a local-currency housing finance structure in Guinea to increase access to homeownership.

WildyNess

• Investment: An undisclosed value in a pre-seed round.
• Investor(s): Bridging Angels (co-lead) and the African Diaspora Network (co-lead).
• Sector/Focus: Traveltech / Tourism. A B2B2C marketplace connecting conscious travelers with authentic local experiences and community-based tourism (CBT).
• Country of Operation: Tunisia.
• Purpose: To drive regional expansion into Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, and to strengthen the startup’s technology infrastructure.

Sawa Energy

• Investment: EUR 2.5 million (USD 2.9 million) in equity investment.
• Investor(s): ElectriFI initiative (EU-funded, channelled through its Uganda Country Window).
• Sector/Focus: Renewable Energy / Clean Tech. Provides fully-financed solar PV and battery storage systems to commercial and industrial (C&I) clients through long-term contracts.
• Country of Operation: Uganda and Rwanda.
• Purpose: To scale solar and energy storage solutions across the region, replacing polluting diesel generators with cleaner, cost-effective alternatives.