VivaTech has named the 30 startups shortlisted for its 2026 AfricaTech Award, with Nigeria accounting for more than a third of the list. Kenya and Egypt placed second and third with 4 startups each, across a field drawn from 11 countries.
Now in its fifth year, the award received more than 260 applications from 34 African countries, a 13% increase on 2025. The selection was made with Deloitte as knowledge partner, based on criteria including technology maturity, scalability across the continent, team quality, and business model viability.
Who made the list
Fintech dominates the cohort with 12 of the 30 startups, followed by healthtech (8) and HRTech (4). The remaining places span AI and big data, agri-fintech, greentech, and industrial tech.
The Nigerian contingent includes Billboxx, PressPayNg, Trade Lenda, XChangeBOX, and Scandum in fintech and AI; Eight Medical, Famasi, Lifebank, and Trashcoin in healthtech; and 10mg Health, which straddles both sectors. Kenya is represented by Flexpay, Ndovu, iFunza, and Shamba Records. Egypt’s four selections are Sahl, Bwell, SURGiA, and PraxiLabs.
South Africa has two entries: Ubiquity AI (fintech) and Job Crystal (HRTech). Other countries represented include Zambia (eShandi), Rwanda (Exuus), Ivory Coast (Leya Labs), Morocco (DeepEcho, AgriEdge), Tunisia (Cure Bionics, Instaware), Mauritania (Breedj), and Angola (Anda).
Diversity and scale
Half the selected startups are founded or co-founded by women. Three-quarters are classified as scaling-stage companies rather than early-stage ventures, reflecting VivaTech’s focus on businesses with proven traction and international growth potential.
Six finalists will be invited to pitch at VivaTech in Paris on 17 June 2026, with the winner announced at the Startup Winners Ceremony on 19 June. VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, marks its 10th anniversary this year.
“This fifth edition makes it possible to recognise those who are driving innovation on the African continent across a plurality of strategic sectors,” said François Bitouzet, Managing Director of VivaTech.
