News about SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa

Every business in Africa eventually reveals what animal it is, regardless of what the pitch deck claims. The Unicorn, the Mule, and the Camel are not aspirations; they are outcomes shaped by capital, markets, and discipline.
In Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, more than 600 million people live without reliable electricity, while another 300 million remain digitally disconnected. Frequent power outages disrupt businesses, students struggle to complete homework, and many communities continue to be excluded from the digital economy.
@Ninthgrid on Unsplash
Africa’s next growth story will be defined less by how many companies start and more by how many build systems that last. The future belongs to firms that endure by enabling the ecosystems around them to thrive. Every decision should leave something standing: stronger supply chains, stronger communities, stronger institutions.
Startup|Energy invites innovative entrepreneurs who are looking to transform the energy supply and livelihoods in SubSaharan Africa to apply for the Energy Camp 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your startup’s growth!
In 2024, CGAP and MFR research explored trends and challenges in trying to close the gender gap for small borrowers, specifically examining how different institutional structures link to different outcomes.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see seven Nigerian energy startups present their innovations and solutions for the energy market in sub-Saharan Africa! These dynamic companies are bringing fresh approaches to decentralised energy supply with their products and business ideas.