Top 10 E-Commerce Startups in Africa 2025

In Summary 

• Investor funding for African e-commerce startups fell to $11.3 million in Q1 2025, a 47.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
• The decline in funding is attributed to factors such as tightening private markets, increased investor caution, and concerns about competition and growth within the e-commerce sector. 
• No seed rounds were recorded in Q1 2025, whereas $3 million was raised in seed funding in Q1 2024. 
• Despite the overall decline, some deals did occur, including a $6.8 million Pre-Series B round for Taager (Egypt) and $2 million in Pre-Series A funding for Kapu (Kenya). 

Deep Dive!!

Africa’s e-commerce sector has evolved from fledgling digital storefronts into a powerful force reshaping retail, logistics, and financial services across the continent. Within the last decade, more innovative startups are bridging the gap between traditional retail and modern consumer demands by integrating logistics, fintech, and supply chain technologies. 

Across the continent, these e-commerce disruptors are not just meeting the needs of Africa’s growing digital consumer base, they are redefining the rules of online trade and creating scalable, sustainable models for digital commerce. 

However, according to Statista, funding for e-commerce startups in Africa experienced a significant drop in the first quarter of 2025, decreasing by 47.2% year-on-year to $11.3 million. This decline reflects a broader trend of investor caution and tighter private markets. Despite this, the African e-Commerce market did not experience a huge defect. For example, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous and one of the biggest economies, is projected to reach $7.04 billion in 2025, with a further growth to $9.51 billion by 2029. 

Here, we highlight the Top 10 e-Commerce Startups in Africa in 2025, featuring their founders, country of origin, funding milestones, and impact across the continent.

10. Cokodeal – Nigeria

Founded by Mike Dola in 2012, Cokodeal is a Pan‑African B2B marketplace enabling African traders to create online stores and sell globally. The startup operates across Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya; and supports export of African-made goods internationally.

9. Taeillo – Nigeria

Taeillo was founded by Jumoke Dada in 2018 and has received funding of approximately $3 million across pre-seed and seed rounds, including $2.5M in 2022. The startup is an online furniture platform offering Afro-inspired designs with AR-enhanced shopping. Recently, it showcased at Lagos Design Week; expanding into Kenya, and promoting African craftsmanship globally.

8. Sweepsouth – South Africa

Sweepsouth is a South African start-up founded by Aisha Pandor & Alen Ribic in 2014. The startup received Series B in 2022; backed by Naspers Foundry, 500 Startups, etc. often referred to as the “Uber for domestic cleaning”, they are known for connecting workers and customers via their mobile app, powered by a team of over 6,500 active professionals, 250,000+ clients, and 2 million+ services delivered.

7. Hubtel – Ghana

Hubtel was founded by Alex Bram, Ernest Apenteng & Leslie Gyimah in 200. The e-commerce and mobile payments platform has evolved over the years from an SMS platform into a full-blown digital financial service. They are licensed as a Payment Services Provider; and were recognized as Ghana’s fastest‑growing company in 2022.

6. Cartona – Egypt

Cartona was founded in 2020 and has received $20.1 million in Series A funding between 2022 and 2024. The startup operates mainly as a B2B FMCG e‑commerce marketplace that digitizes traditional trade for retailers and suppliers. Today, they serve over 20,000 businesses; integrating AI for inventory management to streamline supply chains.

5. OmniRetail – Nigeria

OmniRetail supports over 200 manufacturers, 5,000 distributors, and 140,000 retailers. The startup has grown into a profitable brand and is expanding into Ghana & Ivory Coast. It was founded by Deepankar Rustagi in 2019 and has received approximately $20 million in debt and equity since then,

4. Vendy – Nigeria

Vendy was founded in 2021 by Kayode Disu & Peter Ekunkoya, and they received pre-seed funding in 2022 backed by Y Combinator, Ventures Platform, Voltron. The startup enables merchants to sell and manage orders/payments entirely via WhatsApp, thereby simplifying e‑commerce setup for millions of SMEs without requiring separate apps.

3. Supplya – Nigeria

The startup was founded by Opeyemi Kehinde and Joy Adeniran in 2021 and has received equity and inventory credit-backed funding. They are a B2B supply chain platform giving SMEs interest-free credit and direct sourcing access and are poised to serve 100,000 retailers, addressing critical credit and distribution gaps.

2. MaxAB & Wasoko – Egypt & Morocco

MaxAB was founded in 2018 but merged with Wasoko in 2024. As a result of the merger, they became Africa’s largest B2B network, connecting suppliers to over 450,000 informal retailers. With over 150,000 stores in Egypt; the brand plans to scale across North and West Africa; and is currently generating $180 million in annual sales.

1. Chari – Morocco

Chari was founded by Ismael Belkayat and Sophia Alj in 2020 and has received huge amounts in seed funding, and secured undisclosed rounds including venture investment. The startup is a B2B FMCG marketplace enabling 24-hour delivery to small retailers, paired with micro-finance tools. It currently boasts of housing over 15,000 active shopkeepers monthly; maintaining a 50% penetration rate in Moroccan urban retailers; and expanding into Tunisia & Côte d’Ivoire.