Gozem Raises $30M💰️

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⟹ 🚀 STARTUPS WATCH 🚀 ⟸

Here are the 5 top startups in the African eco-system we think you need to know:

Plstka is revolutionizing waste management with a mobile app that rewards users for recycling solid waste by offering discount coupons for food, drinks, medical services, transportation, and more. 🌍✨

By exchanging waste for real-world benefits, Plstka incentivizes individuals to adopt sustainable habits while enjoying savings across multiple categories. The platform also features a gamified competition where users compete to collect the most waste in their area, earning prizes at the end of each month. 🏆📊

With an expanding partner network and a mission to create a cleaner future, Plstka is making sustainability rewarding and accessible for everyone. Recycle, earn, and make a difference—one item at a time. 🚀♻️

Seekewa is the first in-kind crowdfunding platform enabling individuals and organizations to directly support agricultural projects in Africa. By funding small-scale farmers with essential resources, Seekewa helps boost productivity, improve food security, and create sustainable livelihoods.

With a farm-to-market approach in the works, Seekewa is reshaping how communities invest in agriculture—feeding better, together. 🚀🌍

GBarena is a leading online gaming and esports platform that connects gamers to global tournaments, competitive challenges, and exclusive rewards. 🚀

With a seamless tournament management system, GBarena enables organizers to create and manage competitions effortlessly while providing brands and businesses access to a rapidly growing gaming audience.

💥 100K+ gamers competing across top titles like PUBG, Valorant & League of Legends
🏆 Ramadan Legends & Prime Challenges – Bringing esports to the next level
🌍 Strategic partnerships with Riot Games, OPPO, Samsung & more

Whether you're a gamer looking to compete, a brand seeking engagement, or a tournament host, GBarena is the ultimate esports hub for the MENA region and beyond. 🎯🎮

⟹ 💼 💰️ VENTURE CAPITAL WATCH 💼 💰️ ⟸

Here’s what happened this week in the VC Space:

👉 Gozem secures $30M in Series B funding to expand its super app across Francophone Africa. The West African mobility and digital services platform will use the funding—led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services and Al Mada Ventures—to scale ride-hailing, vehicle financing, and Gozem Money, its soon-to-launch digital banking solution.

👉 Oze raises an undisclosed round from Visa, DEG, Speedinvest, and AfricInvest to scale its Lending Management System (LMS). The Ghanaian fintech, which helps MSMEs access unsecured digital loans, will use the funds to expand across Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, Benin, Rwanda, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. Oze’s credit risk algorithm ensures smarter lending decisions for small businesses.

👉 Tunisia’s Dabchy secures pre-Series A funding to fuel expansion. The second-hand fashion marketplace, backed by Janngo Capital, Renew Capital, and angel investors, will broaden its product offerings and expand into new African markets. Dabchy is part of a growing circular economy movement that makes fashion more sustainable and affordable.

👉 54 Collective shuts down its venture studio operations after failing to secure alternative funding following the end of its Mastercard Foundation partnership. The decision impacts its Gen F accelerator and Entrepreneur Academy, which have backed 40+ startups and created 17,500+ jobs. However, 54 Collective’s $40M VC fund remains active, focusing on gender-diverse investments.

👉 Hatla2ee was acquired by the UAE’s Dubizzle Group, marking another major M&A move in Africa’s digital marketplace sector. The Egyptian online car marketplace, which has 2M+ monthly visitors, will integrate Dubizzle’s advanced tech to enhance automotive classifieds across Egypt and the MENA region.

👀 This Week’s Featured Investor: The Digital Currency Group (DCG) 👀

The Digital Currency Group (DCG) is a US-based venture capital firm investing in transformative crypto and blockchain companies. With a growing presence in Africa, DCG is doubling down on Web3, AI, and fintech innovation across the continent. 🌍💰

Why DCG Stands Out?

📌 12 new African investments in 2024, driving fintech, AI, and blockchain growth.
📌 $4M+ deployed across Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.
📌 Backed some of Africa’s most promising startups, including:

🔹 NALA – Building seamless cross-border payments for African consumers.
🔹 Stitch – Powering open banking and embedded finance solutions.
🔹 Busha – Making crypto accessible across Nigeria and beyond.
🔹 Djamo – Offering modern financial services for Francophone Africa.
🔹 Kashier & TurnStay – Transforming digital transactions and business payments.

With its deep industry expertise and commitment to Africa’s next-gen tech ecosystem, DCG is shaping the future of blockchain and fintech on the continent. 🚀

👉 Explore more about DCG and its game-changing investments on SHA!

⟹ 📺️ MEDIA WATCH 📺️  ⟸

Here are the 5 key things in the news this week that you need to know:

1. West African super app Gozem secures $30m Series B funding to accelerate expansion - Disrupt Africa

2. 54 Collective to cut jobs as Mastercard Foundation partnership ends - Techcabal

3. Ghanaian fintech startup Oze secures undisclosed funding round to scale lending solution  - Disrupt Africa

4. Tunisia’s Dabchy raises pre-Series A funding to boost expansion plans - Disrupt Africa

5. Egyptian online car marketplace Hatla2ee acquired by UAE’s Dubizzle Group - Disrupt Africa

And that’s your weekly dosage of the African startup ecosystem!

If you have any comments or feedback, respond to this email. I want to engage more founders and investors in the ecosystem this year.

Thanks for reading. Have a great week ahead!

Gitonga, the Stoic Founder at StartupHub.Africa 🚀

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