The year 2020 was a very tough one no doubt. Thus, making it a bit challenging for people to find startups to work for in Africa. While the impact of the pandemic on the global economy is still being felt world over, we all suspected many African startups will feel it more than others. Many companies had to lay off staff and reduce operations and many companies could not survive the challenges that came with the pandemic.
In the midst of this, a lot of companies have managed to weather the storm and come out stronger on the other end. Although funding for startups across Africa slowed, investors continue to show faith in a lot of startups addressing major issues in the African market. Fintech is still the big winner and has attracted the most investment on the continent with the acquisition of Paystack by Stripe the highlight of the year in the startup ecosystem on the continent.
As a company, we are working with some of the fastest growing startups on the continent to identify and hire top people for their teams. Here is our list of the best startups to work for in Africa in 2020.
PAYSTACK
Year of establishment: 2015
Founders: Ezra Olubi, Shola Akinlade
Amount raised: $11.7M
Company Size: 51-200
Specialties: Online Payments, Card payments, digital payments, fintech, and mobile money.
“If one of the most sophisticated companies in Silicon Valley can acquire a company from our ecosystem, that is just going to unlock a lot of opportunities. This is going to tell people that you can make things and it can work. You can build your dreams and you can get it done.”
These are the words of Shola Akinlade, the CEO of Paystack while speaking about their recent acquisition by Stripe for over $200 million.
Paystack is a Lagos based Fin-tech startup that was founded in 2015. They serve as a payment gateway for businesses in Africa by making it possible for them to accept payments anywhere in the world.
A good company is defined by 3 things; People, Product, and Purpose. Paystack doesn’t fall short of any of these. They have a great culture, an excellent product as evident by their recent acquisition, and people who are committed to the growth of one another.
Here’s what Stephen Amaza, a Customer Success Manager at Paystack had to say about working at Paystack: “One of my favorite things about working at Paystack is the people. I work with people who are rockstars in their respective fields, yet are kind, helpful and genuinely care.”
Paystack is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
SKYNAMO
Year of establishment: 2012
Founder: Sam Clarke
Amount raised: $30M
Company Size: 51-100
Specialties: Sales Management, Sales Solutions, Mobile CRM, Sales App, Field Activity Management, Mobile workforce management, CRM, Sales Tracking Software, Sales Analytics, Sales Insights, Field Sales Management, and Field Sales app.
Skynamo is the field sales app used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors with field sales teams who sell to an existing customer base. The company helps transform the sales conversation between managers and their teams from one based on fear and uncertainty to one based on transparency and trust. Through its transparency and trust, managers are transformed from micro-managers to coaches, and sales representatives are transformed from order takers to value-adding consultants to their customers.
A review on Glassdoor describes Skynamo as “A company with a great culture and friendly staff. People's opinions are always valued and grievances are seen too early and efficiently.
Skynamo is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
EASY SOLAR
Year of establishment: 2015
Founders: Alexandre Tourre, Eric Silverman, Nthabiseng Mosia
Amount raised: $7.8M
Company Size: 251-500
Specialties: Renewable Energy, Off-Grid Solar, Pico Solar, Pay-As-You-Go Energy, Last Mile Distribution, Residential Solar, Sierra Leone, West Africa, and Liberia.
Employed 600 people and provided reliable electricity to over 450,000 people via 300 sales outlets. This is summary of the impact report of the Sierra Leonean startup; Easy Solar - a startup that focuses on making energy, financial services and life improving products, affordable and accessible for all.
The CEO of Easy Solar, Alexandre Tourre spoke about their plans to expand operations into other West-African countries after raising $5m Series A round. Expansion means hiring more people to manage operations, especially in these new regions. If you want to work at a place where the work you do directly help other people lead better lives, the Easy Solar team is one you should join.
Here’s what some employees have to say about working at Easy Solar:
Karima Bah - HR Officer:
"Working at Easy Solar is like being in the midst of my family whom I can rely on discussing anything personal or work-related at any given time. At Easy Solar your problems, sorrows, and happiness are not yours alone. During my work career of over 10 years, only at Easy Solar, I have been visited by a Director at my home when in a sickbed with words of courage and hopes. Easy Solar is home, and here to stay."
Menah Mansary - Shop Coordinator Kamakwie:
"Easy Solar offers a lot of direct and indirect benefits to its people. Directly, they offer fair salaries and pay them on time (something I had difficulties with in the past at a previous employer). They also offer us performance bonuses, allowances and regular training which helps us to continually grow. They encourage and bring us together at events like the annual meeting and beach outing. With all these benefits, I'm sure I'll stay with Easy Solar as long as the company is operating in Sierra Leone.”
EasySolar is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
AFRICA FORESIGHT GROUP (AFG)
Year of establishment: 2016
Founder: Yasmine Kumi
Amount raised: $700K
Company Size: 11-50
Specialties: Consulting.
After winning the inaugural price of The Authenticity Project in 2017 with a 10,000 Ghana Cedis reward, the Africa Foresight Group has acquired over 100 consultants in its network and completed more than 140 engagements.
AFG is the largest network of freelance management consultants in Africa. Founded in 2016 by Yasmine Kumi who says her biggest passion is helping to build African multinationals, AFG has raised over $700,000.
AFG’s pitch to people willing to join them highlights the work they do and their level of impact. On their careers’ page, you’re informed that you will be joining a team that is building the future of work and puts Africa on the global map.
Keisha Fredua-Mensah, a Research Associate at AFG shared what she loves about working at AFG;
“I think what excites me most about AFG (Africa Foresight Group) is that it allows us to dream and to be purposeful, and to be impactful in our work, while at the same time being fully integrated in the real world of business and policy. I think on one hand that’s very bold and brave, because of the tough world, and on the other hand I think it’s extremely rewarding and it’s a gift.”
AFG is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
KUDA BANK
Year of establishment: 2018
Founders: Babs Ogundeyi and Mustapha Musty
Amount raised: $11.6M
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Specialties: Digital Bank and Free Banking.
According to Nairametrics, Kuda bank is modeled for the Millennial and the Gen ‘z’ internet-savvy population, providing them the same banking services irrespective of location, but without the time and stress that comes with conventional banking.
It is an all-round improvement of the banking services. For instance, users can open a Kuda account by simply downloading the app and signing up, after which they get a free debit card delivered at no cost nationwide within two weeks.
With these perks, one can easily save the time of queuing in the bank and resolve complaints from a mobile device without having to visit any bank. To make it easy for users to resolve transaction issues that may occur while using the app, Kuda provides the 30-digit session ID for every transaction. This isn’t an industry standard and normally, you have to call your bank to request this reference number when things go wrong.
If you work at Kuda you enjoy the following:
- An exciting and flexible work environment
- Competitive pay
- Smart and kind coworkers
- Reliable health insurance
- Gym and spa passes.
Kuda is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
CHIPPER CASH
Year of establishment: 2017
Founders: Ham Serunjogi, Maijid Moujaled
Amount raised: $52.2M
Company Size: 51-100
Specialties: Payment and Financial Services.
Chipper Cash is an across border money remittance platform that allows users across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to send, receive, and request money for free. The startup was founded in San Francisco in 2018 by two Africans; Maijid Moujaled from Ghana, and Ham Serunjogi from Unganda.
When asked how Chipper Cash plans to sustain its free mobile-money business, Ed Mugema, the Executive Director at Chipper Cash likened their business model to Facebook. Facebook being a social media platform that is free for all. They provide their services for free and recoup the costs in other ways by providing business solutions. For Chipper Cash, they have Chipper Checkout. Techcrunch describes Chipper Checkout as a merchant-focused, fee-based payment product that generates the revenue to support Chipper Cash’s free mobile-money business.
Chipper Cash’s biggest goal is to close the gap for financial inclusion amongst Africans. If you are passionate about working in a company that helps your growth, offers amazing benefits, and one that challenges you to be better, you should consider joining Chipper Cash.
When asked about working at Chipper Cash, one of their Software Engineers had this to say;
“I get to work from home as are all the other employees, even before Covid hit. Really good benefits. 2 Smart cofounders that have passion for making lives better in Africa. The mission is my favorite out of the last 4 startups I have worked at thus far. ”
ChipperCash is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
RENSOURCE
Year of establishment: 2015
Founders: Ademola Adesina, Jussi Savukoski
Amount raised: $27.8M
Company Size: 51-100
Specialties: Renewable Energy
Despite a boasting of a rapidly growing economy and resources, the Nigerian power sector hasn’t been able to provide adequate electricity supply to businesses and households. This is a problem that cuts across a few other countries. Rensource was founded in 2015 by Ademola Adesina. They identified a major gap in the system and they’ve set out help solve Nigeria's Power Problems and by extension, transform the energy sector in Africa.
Lately, companies have started aligning their goals with social impact because they’ve come understand the role it plays in attracting talents and how it sends signals about the company's values and culture. Rensouce has lots of initiatives that effortlessly places them in the top ranking of companies that are actually making social impacts in Nigeria.
When Prince Ojeabulu was asked to share what motivates him as the Head of Market Operations at Rensource Energy Rensource, here’s what he had to say;
“Right from being a kid, I’ve always wanted to make an impact. On getting to Rensource, I knew we were making an indelible mark in the world. Seeing that power is a need across African countries and the world at large. I’m excited to be a part of Rensource. Such that when I wake up every morning, I know that I’m a part of a movement that is bringing clean energy into the world, one that is as innovative as Rensource. This is what gets me going everyday.”
Rensource is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
BAMBOO
Year of establishment: 2019
Founders: Richmond Bassey, Yanmo Omorogbe
Amount raised: $150K
Company Size: 11-50
Specialties: Financial services, Fintech, Information Technology, Stock Exchange
Bamboo’s proposition is very simple and clear - We want to help Nigerians make dollars. They do this by making it easy for Nigerians (and Africans at large) to buy stocks in the global market, invest in a stable currency, and build wealth.
Founded in 2019 by Yanmo Omorogbe and Richmond Bassey, Bamboo has raised $150,000. With the inconsistencies that come with earning in Naira, Bamboo makes it easy for Nigerians for diversify their income and build wealth in a more stable currency.
When asked what problem Bamboo is solving, Yanmo said it could be described in two folds; They are giving access and making the access easy. If you’re interested doing work helps Africans invest their money in a more stable currency, Bamboo is the place to be. Asides doing work that matters, Bamboo has a great corporate culture coupled with amazing benefits.
Bamboo is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
GET IT
Year of establishment: 2014
Founder: Lauren Russell Nkuranga
Amount raised: > $1.5M
Company Size: 1-10
Specialties: Logistics, Deliveries, Food Delivery, E-Commerce.
Founded in a country whose economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture by local farmers, the Rwanda based startup, Get It, has established itself has a major player in the African food logistics market. They are the first food service delivery company in the Rwanda to receive ISO 22000 food safety certification - an internationally recognized standard for the assurance of food safety at all levels.
Get It was founded by in 2014 by Lauren Russell Nkuranga. Here’s what she had to say about the hiring culture at Get It;
“We are very picky in terms of who we hire. We have a long recruitment process and probation period before someone becomes an employee. We look for people who are self-starters; who don’t need a lot of hand-holding in order for things to happen and can take direction to get things done. We are in a particularly great period now where we have a critical mass of staff who are reliable and able to manage themselves.”
They have raised nearly over $1.5M and they are looking to expand.
Get It is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
FLUTTERWAVE
Year of establishment: 2016
Founders: Olugbenga Agboola, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji
Amount raised: $64.7M
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Specialties: API, Enterprise Solutions, Financial Services, Banking Solutions and Merchant Service.
Flutterwave is a Nigerian Financial Technology startup that provides a platform for seamless payment solutions for banks, merchants, and their customers across Africa. The Flutterwave platform has helped connect Africa to the global market. With their platform, businesses can now operate across Africa and the World due to the ease at which it is to receive funds.
According to a review on Glassdoor, this is what it feels like working at Flutterwave.
“The leadership structure is very flat and what this means is that you can hit the CEO up with his nickname, give him this idea you have and why it will work. He will definitely reply and consider your ideas. If your ideas are good, you get credit, if they are not good enough, it is refined. If they don't fit the purpose, they are kept for the future.”
Also, another review says the environment is fast paced and you need to be self motivated to deliver as nobody would police you.
Flutterwave is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
SWVL TECHNOLOGIES
Year of establishment: 2017
Founders: Ahmed Sabbah, Mostafa Kandil
Amount raised: $106.5M
Company Size: 201-500
Specialties: Transportation, travel
Swvl is an Egyptian bus transportation startup that is over $160 million in value. Founded in April 2017 by three young entrepreneurs - Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh, SWVL’s growth has been one of the fastest in the history of African startups.
If someone asked us to define product-market fit, we would ask them to study SWVL. They made a product that satisfies a strong market demand out of a common problem amongst many African countries - Transportation. This explains how they were able to acquire over a million users in less than 4 years.
3 months after they launched in 2017, SWVL ran an Ad on a Facebook post. The post was accompanied by simple but convincing copy that defines their USPs ;
✅ Better than a public bus
✅ Cheaper than an Uber
✅ WiFi equipped
✅ Comes on time, every time
We’re all part of the traffic problem. Become part of the solution. Use Swvl. 🚌
When you work for a company that solves day to day problems of people that look like you, your job feels more like that of a super hero than only a source of livelihood. SWVL knows this, and that’s why when you visit their Career Page, they remind you that they are your dream company, that you need them to get your dream job.
SWVL gives career growth opportunities for the employees excelling at their work , which happens a lot in such a dynamic environment.
This is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
PRINTIVO
Year of establishment: 2014
Founders: Oluyomi Ojo, Ayodeji Adeogun, and Ibukun Oloyede
Amount raised: $162.5K
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Specialties: Online Printing, Business cards, Letterheads, Envelopes, Gift Items, Paper Bags, Stickers, Rollup Banner, Magic Mugs, Logo Mugs and Photo Mugs, Handbills, Greeting Cards, Invitations, PostCards, Graphic Designs, and Wedding Products Invitations, Gift Items and more.
In Nigeria, Printivo is one of the leading startups in digital printing. In order to address the printing needs of SMEs and individuals, it was introduced in 2014. Printivo is an online print shop where clients can upload their designs or customize a ready-made prototype and have the outcomes printed and sent to them.
It delivers high-end customized items on the doorstep of the client, such as calendars, posters, photo books, diaries, large prints on paper and many more.
According to an Employee review on Indeed, here's what it feels like to work at Printivo;
“A day in Printivo is what any business environment should be like. Getting to the office to follow up on outstanding print orders in the production department to proceed to my table to work on my To-do list for the day. Making phone calls and sending emails to my clients. I would attend meetings If I had any scheduled. All of these are being done effortlessly as the environment is very much relaxing.”
There is also free lunch , and religion festival gifts.
Printivo is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
OVER
Year of establishment: 2011
Founders: Aaron Marshall, Matthew Winn
Amount raised: Recently acquired by GoDaddy in an undisclosed amount
Company Size: 51-200
Specialties: Apps, Mobile, Photography, Typography, iOS, Lean, UX, App Store, Mobile Creativity, Design, and Marketplaces.
Over is a visual communication solutions provider that helps users create visual content without the need for any design experience.
With a library of hand-curated templates, layouts, videos, graphics and font collections, users can customize designs, or choose from integrated stock photography libraries or their own photos to create content from scratch. Users can then post their designs on social media channels such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Over is designed to provide a platform for users to create inspiring content, build a brand, or grow their business, regardless of their design background. After acquiring the App, Lauren Antonoff, president of GoDaddy Experiences, said “Together, we'll help entrepreneurs succeed online by building an engaging online and social presence that fuels business growth. Over has an incredibly talented team and we can't wait to get started. "
Over is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
COWRYWISE
Year of establishment: January 1, 2017
Founders: Edward Popoola and Razak Ahmed
Amount raised: $300k
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Specialties: FinTech, Wealth Management, Asset Management, Savings, Portfolio Management, and Investment.
Cowrywise is a financial technology company digitizing the investment management industry in Africa and democratizing access to savings and investment products for the growing population of the underserved African middle class and millennials. With over 200,000 users, Cowrywise is building the next-generation wealth management platform for Africans. Cowrywise is a Y Combinator company and the first Nigerian company to be accepted into the Catalyst Fund program, backed by JP Morgan and UKAID.
Feranmi Ajetomobi had this to say about working at Cowrywise;
“They patiently helped us grow—investing time and money. Why? They were more passionate about the people than the product. They still are. Does that make sense? Absolutely! You need the right people to take your product to greater levels.”
Cowrywise is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
ANGAZA
Year of establishment: 2010
Founders: Bryan Duggan, Bryan Silverthorn, Lesley Marincola, Victoria Arch
Amount raised: $29.9M
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Specialties: Pay-As-You-Go, Software as a Service, Solar Energy, Clean Energy, Micro-Payments, Human-Centered Design, and Mobile Technology.
Angaza's mission is to create the technology that allows businesses to offer life-changing products to anyone, anywhere. Their comprehensive Pay-As-You-Go platform is used by manufacturing and distribution companies around the world to sell life-changing products to the next billion off-grid consumers.
Their mission is to create the technology that allows businesses to offer life-changing products to anyone, anywhere. Angaza believes that they can end poverty by enabling universal access to transformative products, services, and information.
According to Anthony Akivembe, a Sales Specialist, the best part about his job is connecting with people from different backgrounds and hearing their stories.
Angaza is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
HELIUM HEALTH
Year of establishment: 2015
Founders: Adegoke Olubusi, Tito Ovia, and Dimeji Sofowora
Amount raised: $12M
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Specialties: E-Health, Healthcare Technology, and Emerging Markets.
Helium Health is taking hospitals and clinics digital in Africa with a suite of software tools. It specializes in developing hospital software to manage patients’ health records and data. It helps hospitals digitize medical records, manage operations, and apply for financing; while providing a telemedicine solution to doctors. Using tech to build a modern and affordable health care system, Helium aims to be the largest healthcare data exchange in Africa.
Founded in 2015 with a vision of radically elevating the quality of healthcare across Africa, Helium Health's EMR/HMIS solution has the largest reach in West Africa serving 5,000+ medical professionals as they care for over 2 million patients annually in the most notable private and public sector facilities across the region.
Helium Health has been described as the place to work if you're excited about making impact through technology and innovation.
Helium Health is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
SENDY
Year of establishment: 2014
Founders: Evanson Biwott and Don Okoth and American Malaika Judd.
Amount raised: $26.5M
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Specialties: Logistics, Deliveries, Courier, Packages, Food Delivery, E-Commerce, Mobile Apps, and On demand courier solutions.
Sendy is an end-to-end logistics solution enabling thousands of businesses to move any type of goods using any type of vehicle: motorcycle, pick-up, van, truck, or trailer.
Sendy was established in 2014 as a way to provide easy tools to empower and enrich people. Prior to Sendy, there was no reliable package delivery service to peoples’ doorsteps. People were spending hours in exhaustive commutes trying to collect packages from the city center.
Sendy’s core is a belief that everyone should be to trade and thrive in Africa. No one should be left out of trading because the cost is too great or the tools are inaccessible. Sendy continues to build empowering solutions that make it easier for individuals and businesses to trade.
Based on reviews on Glassdoor, Sendy is a fast-paced environment with company stock options. There is a lot of innovation, they provide a good environment for learning and sharpening skills. They have a good salary package, flexible working hours, supports Working from home
Sendy is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
Ulesson
Year of establishment: 2019
Founder: Sim Shagaya
Amount raised: $3.1M
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Specialties: E-learning.
uLesson is an app to help African students be the very best they can be. It seeks to build a learning experience unprecedented in its richness, scope, interactivity, and effectiveness.
uLesson service is built to specifically serve African needs across the board. They seek to engage African students in a manner that is culturally-relevant and responds to the syllabi in their respective countries.
Learning should be a personally fulfilling and exciting journey for every student. uLesson employs an individualistic approach to learning, applying simplified teaching methods designed to amplify each student’s learning ability with quality lesson plans from the best tutors.
Ulesson is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
CARRY 1ST
Year of establishment: 2018
Founders: Cordel Robbin-Coker, Lucy Parry, Tinotenda Mundangepfupfu
Amount raised: $4M
Company Size: 11-50
Specialties: Social Games, Casual Games, Mobile Games, Technology, In Person Distribution, Fintech, Digital Entertainment, and Publishing.
Carry1st is an interactive content platform leveraging mobile technology to delight and serve the first generation of African smartphone users.Carry1st is the leading mobile games publisher in Africa - bringing global titles to Africa and Africa to the world. They have over a million users, and have produced the number one game in Africa.
In an Interview with Tech crunch, Robbin Cooker said “We’re looking to be the number one regional publisher of [gaming] content in the region…the publisher of record and the app store.”
Carry1st is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
54 GENE
Year of establishment: 2019
Founders: Abasi Ene-Obong, Damilola Oni, Gatumi Aliyu, Ogochukwu Francis Osifo
Amount raised: $19.7M
Company Size: 11-50
Specialties: Genetics, DNA, Sequencing, and Health.
54gene is a healthcare startup unlocking the African genome to fuel genetic research and development that may lead to new discoveries and benefit all populations. The company addresses the significant gap in the global genomics market: Nearly 90% of genetic material used in pharmaceutical research is caucasian. Only 2% is African, despite the fact that Africans and people of African ancestry are more genetically diverse than all other world populations combined. As a result, pharmaceutical research and development is lacking the diverse data that may hold the key to medical discoveries and new healthcare solutions.
In an interview with Forbes, Abasi Ene-Obong had the work they are doing at 54 Gene;
“We’re on a mission to build the world’s largest pan-African biobank, which means we’re planning to collect 40,000 data samples by the end of 2019, with a view to this being 100,000 over the next 12 months. On top of this, we’ll be expanding into a number of African countries and looking to start piloting clinical trials with pharmaceutical partners.”
54Gene is one of the best startups to work for in Africa. Check out their Careers' Page to view job openings.
With so many fast-growing companies coming up, we hope this list has exemplified where to begin in your job search. Found one? We'd love to know in the comments.
With so many fast-growing companies coming up, we hope this list has exemplified where to begin in your job search. Found one? We'd love to know in the comments.
With so many fast-growing companies coming up, we hope this list has exemplified where to begin in your job search. Found one? We'd love to know in the comments.