US ambassador: Nigerian tech startups raised $1.7 billion in 202
2 min readAccording to US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, Nigerian tech startups raised $1.7 billion in 2021, accounting for 60% of all money raised by tech startups in Africa.
Ambassador Leonard made the announcement at the Nigerian Tech Summit, noting that three tech unicorns were born and bred in Nigeria: OPay, Flutterwave, and Interswitch. She stated that with the right support, there is a lot more that can be done.
“African tech startups have raised over $2.9 billion in funding.” Nigerian startups, which develop new products, services, and platforms, raised $1.7 billion, or roughly 60% of the total. Africa has seven tech “unicorns,” or companies worth more than $1 billion. Three of these companies — OPay, Flutterwave, and Interswitch — are Nigerian-born and bred, which I find very exciting. “We are convinced that, with the right support, Nigeria has enormous potential to achieve even more,” she said.
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According to her, the US will continue to support Nigeria’s tech sector and work to create a conducive environment.
“The United States Mission will continue to do its part to support Nigeria’s burgeoning tech scene and encourage the creation of the enabling environment required to foster a sector that will, in turn, launch even more global businesses and contribute to a more prosperous future for all Nigerians,” Leonard said.
“I also want you to know that the pandemic had no effect on our commitment and support to such important populations in Nigeria.” Mandela Washington Fellows were still being recruited and promoted. We were ecstatic when Vice President Osinbajo met with our most recent cohort of Nigerian fellows in October, encouraging them to participate in political processes and make positive changes in their communities.”
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