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💰African Startups Raise $174M in January 2026

💰African Startups Raise $174M in January 2026

Plus: 🥶 Crypto Winter – Bitcoin Price Falling

Innovation Village
February 10, 2026

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Nigeria’s corporate landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant cleanup. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has struck off 400,000 inactive companies, a move aimed at reducing clutter, improving regulatory oversight, and making it easier to identify businesses that are truly active and compliant.

For entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday business users, this action has practical implications. It clarifies the business registry, reduces the risk of dealing with dormant or fraudulent entities, and reinforces the importance of maintaining compliance. Beyond the numbers, the move signals a broader push toward transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s corporate sector—a reminder that staying active on paper is just as important as running a business in practice.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💰 African Startups Raise $174M in January 2026
🥶 Crypto Winter – Why the Bitcoin Price Is Falling in 2026
📶 Nigeria Updates 26-Year-Old Telecom Policy
🏦 CBN Supports BOI’s Interest-Free Loans for Muslim Entrepreneurs
💼 CAC Strikes Off 400,000 Inactive Nigerian Companies
🤖 Egyptian CX Startup Tactful AI Raises $1M
💰Talk360 Secures $1.4M Secondary Investment

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💰STARTUPS

African Startups Raise $174m in January 2026 as Fintech Leads Funding

African startups raised approximately $174 million in January 2026, showing steady activity amid cautious global venture markets. Funding remained concentrated in Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya, with Egypt leading thanks to large fintech rounds like valU ($63.6M), NowPay ($20M), and Knot Tech ($1M). Nigeria’s funding focused on mobility and fintech, including MAX ($24M), Cardtonic ($2.1M), and energy and industrial tech plays like Terra Industries ($11.75M).

Other sectors attracting investment included climate, agritech, and consumer services, with startups like Kenya’s Sanivation ($3.3M), Morocco’s Yakeey ($15M), and Ghana’s Kuapa Kokoo ($2.4M) receiving capital. Fintech remained the most dominant sector, reflecting investor confidence in payment platforms, payroll solutions, and financial access initiatives across Africa....….continue reading

🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

Crypto Winter – Why the Bitcoin Price Is Falling in 2026

Bitcoin entered 2025 on a strong upward trajectory. Around January 2025, close to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Bitcoin traded above $100,000, reaching approximately $109,000. Later in mid-to-late 2025, the price climbed further, with multiple market reports confirming all-time highs in the $120,000–$126,000 range.

By early February 2026, Bitcoin had fallen sharply, trading below $65,000, wiping out a significant portion of its 2025 gains. This decline places Bitcoin more than 45–50% below its peak, a scale of drawdown consistent with previous bear phases in its history..........….continue reading

📶TELECOMS

Nigeria Updates 26-Year-Old Telecom Policy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a review of the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP), which has not been meaningfully updated in 26 years. The 2000 policy, created before smartphones, 4G, and social media, no longer addresses today’s digital and telecom landscape, including 5G, AI, satellite networks, and internet streaming.

🏦 BANKING

CBN Supports BOI’s Interest-Free Loans for Muslim Entrepreneurs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the Bank of Industry (BOI) to offer Non-Interest Banking (NIB) financing, enabling faith-sensitive entrepreneurs to access loans without paying interest. Using Islamic-compliant models like Murabaha (asset sales) and Musharakah (profit-sharing), the BOI can now serve businesses that previously avoided conventional loans due to religious concerns.

The move opens funding for small and medium enterprises across Nigeria—textiles in Lagos, leather in Kano, and agricultural processors in the Middle Belt—unlocking liquidity in the faith-sensitive market while tying financing to tangible assets or projects, reducing risk for the bank. This initiative strengthens financial inclusion and supports Nigeria’s industrial growth.........….continue reading

💼 BUSINESS

CAC Strikes Off 400,000 Inactive Nigerian Companies

In 2025, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) removed over 400,000 inactive companies from Nigeria’s business register to improve transparency and ensure the register reflects active businesses. The move froze associated bank accounts and freed up company names.

The delisting targeted firms that failed to submit annual returns, a legal requirement even for dormant companies. Meanwhile, CAC registered 250,000 new businesses for free, encouraging new entrepreneurs while emphasizing that staying compliant with annual filings is now critical.......….continue reading

🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Egyptian CX Startup Tactful AI Raises $1M

Mohamed Elmasry & Mohamed Hassan

Egyptian customer experience startup Tactful AI has raised $1 million in Pre-Series A funding to scale its enterprise platform leveraging Agentic AI. The round was co-led by Foras AI and M Empire, with support from deep-tech angel investors.

Agentic AI goes beyond scripted chatbots, autonomously understanding customer goals and completing requests end-to-end, such as checking orders, processing refunds, and escalating issues—while keeping humans in control of approvals and sensitive decisions.

Tactful AI has recorded 100x growth in platform usage over the past year and serves enterprises like Elaraby Group, Raneen, Lucky App, valU, and Bosta. The funding will support growth in Egypt, regional expansion across EMEA, and further R&D to enhance scalability and agentic capabilities. The startup is targeting a Series A round within 12 months, reflecting strong confidence from founders and investors in its CX-focused AI platform.........….continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

Talk360 Secures $1.4M Secondary Investment

Hans Osnabrugge (Talk360) & Ian Lessem (HAVAÍC)

Global calling app Talk360 has raised $1.4 million in a secondary investment led by HAVAÍC, with support from Universum Wealth, marking confidence in the company’s sustainable growth and profitability. Unlike primary rounds, this deal allows existing shareholders to partially cash out while retaining exposure to future upside.

The funding will support product development, including the new Shop360 feature for sending airtime and data bundles internationally, and improvements to overall user experience. Talk360, founded to serve African diaspora communities, now connects over six million users worldwide and has transitioned from rapid scaling to profitable operations.

The investment reflects growing maturity in Africa’s startup ecosystem, enabling early investors to realise returns while supporting continued expansion into global markets....…..continue reading