Preparing for Africa's Upcoming Technological Era: Strategies for the Next Ten Years in Technology
In an exciting development, Bridge And Value, in partnership with Alex Boyo World (ABW), has announced a Bespoke Trade Mission to Paris from September 22 to 26, 2025. This mission is aimed at Nigerian companies and startups seeking to expand their footprint into France and the broader European market.
The past two decades have seen significant growth in Africa's digital tech history, with approximately $20 billion in venture capital and venture debt investment poured into the continent. This investment has grown substantially over the past 20 years, with startup investments soaring from roughly $50 million between 2000 and 2005 to over $4.6 billion by 2022, representing a massive increase of approximately 9000%.
As we look to the future, it is clear that there is no silver bullet for the success of tech startups in Africa. However, Strategic Direction is crucial to define the goal boundaries of the game. African founders, investors, and enablers now have the best opportunity to define the future of startup building and investing.
The need for strategic coherence in the African tech ecosystem is paramount. The author proposes a planning process to kickstart the future of technology startups with people and planet at the centre. This includes local nuance and strategically coherent partnerships with local financial institutions for better financing opportunities.
The author also encourages key leaders to share and learn to create the next 10 years of technology startups in Africa. In line with this, a conference titled "Moonshot 2025" is scheduled to take place on October 15-16 in Lagos.
Moreover, between September 2025 and October 2026, Bridge And Value, in collaboration with ABW and other organizations, will launch initiatives focused on creating cross-continental innovation hubs, facilitating investment networks, and organizing business exchange programs to expand the European market access for African companies and startups.
A local pilot project in Rwanda has already connected startups to over $3 million in local currency financing, demonstrating the potential for such initiatives.
The author emphasizes that the goals for building and financing technology startups in Africa should not be limited to raising more money or creating unicorns, as these objectives can be misleading and lack strategic coherence. Instead, the focus should be on creating sustainable, people-centric startups that contribute positively to the African continent.
As we move forward, it is crucial that we remember the lessons of the past. The last five years have demonstrated the fickleness of monogamous opportunism married to global hype cycles. Therefore, a planning process that prioritizes people and planet is necessary to ensure the long-term success of tech startups in Africa.
The author invites you to share your thoughts and feedback about this article. Let's work together to create a brighter future for tech startups in Africa.
This article was first published on September 14, 2025, by Africa's foremost technology publication. The conference is organized by Norrsken East Africa.
