Egypt's MNT-Halan has become the standard-bearer for North African fintech, a region that recorded its strongest performance in five years with 26% of all continental deals.
Egypt's MNT-Halan has become the standard-bearer for North African fintech, a region that recorded its strongest performance in five years — accounting for 26% of all African deals and $248 million raised.
The consolidation underway across North Africa mirrors a continental pattern: a few well-capitalised platforms absorbing smaller players as the market matures.
With Algebra Ventures, Partech and Flourish among the backers active in the market, Cairo has cemented its place in the continent's top tier.
North Africa's fintech story is no longer emerging. It has emerged.
Amara Okafor covers startups, investment and enterprise across Africa, reporting from Lagos and Johannesburg.
African startups raised $2.10 billion across 275 deals in the first eight months of 2026, with electric vehicles dominating July at $224 million.
Kenyan startups captured nearly a third of all venture capital raised on the continent in 2026, yet the country is still waiting on its first homegrown billion-dollar valuation.
Fintech maintained its lead in early 2026, raising $131.6 million in January alone, as the sector continued to control more than 40% of capital deployed across the continent.