DRC puts Central Africa on continental startup funding map

Key Takeaways

Although the startup scene in the DRC is in its early stages and may not be prominently featured in global startup ecosystem rankings, noteworthy startups are beginning to emerge, contributing to the country's growing reputation as a potential startup hub. In contrast, other startup hubs in Central Africa, such as Cameroon and Chad, recorded significantly lower figures, with Cameroon securing just $4 million and Chad less than $2 million in startup funding. Despite its nascent stage, the DRC stands out, ranking sixth on the continent in terms of startup funding. This places it ahead of countries like Benin, which attracted less than $100 million in startup funding in 2023. The remarkable performance of the DRC, even in comparison to countries in Africa's 'second tier' of startup rankings, such as Ghana, highlights the country's increasing influence and potential to become a notable player in the broader African startup ecosystem.