Venture capital leaders, startup founders, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are expected to gather virtually in January 2026 for the second edition of the Africa Startup & VC Landscape Preview (ASVLP 2026), as startup funding across the region shows clear signs of recovery.

The event comes at a time when African startups have begun to see renewed investor confidence following a challenging period marked by global economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and reduced risk appetite. In 2025, startups across the continent collectively raised an estimated $3.2 billion to $3.3 billion, reflecting a modest but meaningful rebound from the slowdown experienced in the previous year.

While funding levels are improving, the nature of capital flowing into African and MENA startups is changing. Investors are increasingly focused on sustainable growth, strong governance, and clear paths to profitability, rather than the aggressive expansion strategies that defined earlier funding cycles.

A Platform for Strategic Dialogue

ASVLP 2026 is designed as a strategic forum for venture capital firms, limited partners, development finance institutions, family offices, and regulators to assess lessons from the 2025 funding cycle and set priorities for the year ahead. Discussions will centre on how startups and investors can adapt to a more disciplined capital environment while still driving innovation and scale.

The programme will examine critical themes such as the outlook for fintech in 2026, the rise of emerging fund managers, regulatory developments, cross-border expansion challenges, and the growing importance of talent depth and institutional capacity within startup ecosystems.

Shifts in the Funding Landscape

The rebound in funding has also highlighted notable shifts within Africa’s startup landscape. Kenya emerged as the leading destination for venture capital among the continent’s major startup hubs in 2025, while Nigeria recorded a decline in funding compared to previous years. Analysts attribute this shift to macroeconomic pressures, currency volatility, and a recalibration of investor risk exposure.

Despite these changes, fintech continued to attract the largest share of funding, reinforcing its role as a foundational sector across African markets. At the same time, investors showed increasing interest in climate and energy solutions, health technology, artificial intelligence-enabled platforms, and infrastructure-related businesses.

Development finance institutions and family offices played a more prominent role during the recovery period, often anchoring funds and supporting blended-finance structures that help de-risk early-stage investments. This trend has become increasingly important for startups operating in complex or underserved markets.

Connecting Capital and Founders

A key feature of ASVLP 2026 will be its DealRoom pitch session, where a select group of high-potential startups will present directly to investors. The session is intended to move beyond theory and analysis, creating practical opportunities for capital deployment and partnership formation.

Participation in the event is free but strictly by invitation, reflecting its focus on curated, high-level engagement. Organisers say the goal is to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration rather than large-scale attendance.

Long-Term Outlook

According to the organisers, the conversation around venture capital in Africa and MENA has evolved. The focus is no longer on whether capital will return to the region, but on the quality, structure, and long-term impact of that capital. Investors are increasingly aligned around building resilient businesses that can withstand economic shocks while delivering real value.

As ASVLP 2026 approaches, stakeholders across the ecosystem will be watching closely to see how insights from the 2025 recovery translate into concrete strategies for 2026. With stronger collaboration between investors, founders, and policymakers, the forum aims to support a more sustainable and mature phase of growth for startups across Africa and MENA.

By bringing together key decision-makers and ecosystem leaders, ASVLP 2026 reflects the growing sophistication of the region’s venture capital landscape and underscores the importance of disciplined, long-term thinking in shaping the future of innovation.