Samuel Okwuada, CEO and Co-Founder of Remedial Health, a startup using technology to streamline pharmaceutical procurements, is focused on diversification in 2025. “Diversification is the mantra for 2025,” he says, acknowledging that the economic upheavals in Nigeria mean his venture cannot afford to be too dependent on a single currency. “While we continue to serve 7,500 hospitals, pharmacies, and PPMVs in Nigeria, we are accelerating our plans to explore growth and impact opportunities in other regions.” With a successful model in Nigeria, Remedial Health is now focused on scaling across Africa while keeping an eye on local currencies to mitigate financial risks.
Ayo Arikawe, CTO and Co-Founder of Thrive Agric, which leverages technology to provide profitable support for smallholder farmers across Africa, is enthusiastic about growth in East Africa and the increasing integration of AI and climate tech. “We project that the Nigerian market is back to a growth phase, and we expect to see similar growth in East Africa, with a strong focus on AI and Climate,” he shares. Thrive Agric is also building tech communities, starting with Abuja Tech Converge, aimed at fostering collaboration and accelerating agricultural innovation.
Lanre Ogungbe, CEO and Co-Founder of compliance and data infra provider Prembly (formerly IdentityPass), sees 2025 as a year of strategic expansion. “We’ll expand into more countries and release new product verticals that leverage insights we’ve gained over the years,” he says. Prembly aims to build closer relationships within the African tech ecosystem to solve compliance challenges, playing a pivotal role in enabling the growth of Africa’s startups.
Yele Oyekola, CEO and Co-Founder of Duplo, a startup helping businesses manage their financial operations, has set ambitious goals for 2025. “Our goal for 2025 is to facilitate trade by enabling quicker and more efficient international vendor payments for corporates,” he explains. By improving business productivity and focusing on economic integration, Duplo aims to enhance the financial ecosystem across the continent.
Rotimi Thomas, CEO and Co-Founder of SunFi, aims to drive broader solar energy adoption.
Diversification strategies for 2025 startups
“In 2025, we are focused on making sure consumers have affordable, reliable energy access without stress,” says Thomas.
With plans to expand solar energy access, SunFi is paving the way for transitioning from costly and unreliable petrol and diesel generators to sustainable solar solutions. Ola Oyetayo, CEO and Co-Founder of Verto, is focused on transforming cross-border payments across Africa. “Our goal is to make cross-border payments as simple as sending a text message,” he says.
Verto plans to expand into Francophone Africa, particularly Côte d’Ivoire, reduce friction in currency trade, and integrate stablecoins into its payment infrastructure to foster financial resilience. Jessica Hope, CEO and Founder of tech-focused PR firm Wimbart, sees 2025 as a critical year for startups to embrace authentic PR strategies. “Startups should continue to learn about and embrace PR,” she advises.
“Investors, strategic partners, and customers want to see ingenuity and a clear vision for tackling real-world challenges.” By communicating their purpose and showcasing tangible impact, startups can better engage with stakeholders and build long-term credibility. Uzoma Dozie, CEO and Founder of Sparkle, a digital-only microfinance bank in Nigeria, is focused on financial inclusion and literacy. “Our focus in 2025 is to formalise informal financial habits—for individuals and MSMEs—by providing them with accessible tools, digitizing group savings (like Esusu), and enabling financial literacy through intuitive platforms,” Dozie shares.
With the growing role of open banking, Sparkle aims to deliver enhanced personalization and financial inclusion through data-driven offerings. From healthcare to fintech, solar energy to PR, the founders leading these African startups are united by a common goal: to transform their industries and contribute to Africa’s tech ecosystem. As they tackle new challenges, scale across borders, and innovate at speed, 2025 promises to be a defining year for these pioneers and the broader African tech space.
