African female startup founders stepped into 2025 with the same strong determination that has always helped them stay active in the continent’s tech industry.
Even though they work in markets where investors are sometimes unsure and funding is hard to get, these women still managed to secure important investments. Their achievements were quiet but steady, standing out in a sector that often underestimates them.
Data from Africa: The Big Deal shows that in the first quarter of the year, only about 2% of total startup funding went to companies led by women — just US$10 million out of US$460 million raised.
Between January and September 2025, female-led startups collected a total of $45.4 million. While this is small compared to the biggest funding rounds in Africa, it is still impressive in a year when many investors were cautious and overall interest in funding had dropped.
This amount also shows how wide the funding gap still is. These women are building companies against the odds, creating solutions for African markets and pushing forward in environments where they are often overlooked.
Below is one of the female founders who raised $1 million or more by September 2025:
Jetstream Africa
Jetstream Africa is a Ghanaian e-logistics and trade-finance company that helps make cross-border trade easier for African importers and exporters. It was co-founded in 2018 by Miishe Addy (CEO) and Solomon Torgbor (COO).
The company offers a platform that combines logistics, freight forwarding, and trade financing. It allows cargo owners to book and track shipments and provides working-capital loans for entire shipments. Jetstream pays service providers directly — such as shipping lines, customs agents, warehouses, and transport companies — instead of relying on slow traditional letters of credit. This helps speed up trade and reduces stress for businesses operating across borders.
In June, Jetstream raised US$13 million in a pre-Series A round made up of both equity and debt. The debt came from Cauris Finance, while additional support was provided by Proparco through its bridge fund. Equity investors included Octerra Capital, Wuri Ventures, Seed9, The MBA Fund, and others.
The new funding will help Jetstream expand further across West Africa and support more businesses dealing with limited working capital.
