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Nigeria Startups Face Shift in Investment Landscape Due to Foreign Investment Decline.
In 2023, Nigerian startups encountered substantial difficulties in securing funding from investors, resulting in the closure of numerous ventures.
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Foreign investors exercised caution in supporting operations, leading to a diminished pool of funds available for emerging enterprises across diverse sectors.
Causes of Funding Challenges:
The hesitancy of foreign investors had various dimensions, contributing to a 54% reduction in funding for African startups, totaling $2.5 billion from January to October 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Prominent startups, including 54Gene, Pivo, Bundle, Vibra, and others, halted operations due to difficulties in obtaining essential funding.
The shift in Investment Focus:
In response to evolving investor preferences, startup founders are now exploring domains such as Artificial Intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, automation, and blockchain. Investors are favoring startups with sustainable revenue models, emphasizing profitability, and showcasing prudent resource management.
Challenges and Insights:
Nigeria’s startup failure rate is currently at 61.07%, the highest among major tech ecosystems in Africa. Issues such as financial mismanagement, allegations of fraud, and concerns about sustainability have instilled caution among foreign investors regarding funding new startups.
Investment Recommendations:
Business leaders advise startups to establish realistic budgets, prioritize necessities over desires, adopt feasible revenue models, and maintain lean and efficient operations. They stress the importance of judicious resource management and avoiding unnecessary debts.
Areas of Investor Interest:
Investors are now exploring alternative sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, and mobility, recognizing their potential. They prioritize start-ups exhibiting signs of revenue growth or paths to profitability while steering clear of unprofitable ventures.
Government Initiatives:
The Nigerian government aims to create a conducive environment for start-ups to secure local funding, to position the country as a global leader in technology and innovation. Efforts are concentrated on increasing the local availability of patient capital.
Prospects and Challenges:
Despite the hurdles, Nigerian start-ups attracted over $1.2 billion in funding in 2023. However, fintech, once a robust investment area, witnessed a decline in investments, a trend that experts anticipate may persist into 2024.
While global economic challenges influence investment, there is optimism for sectors like payments, insurtech, and wealth tech. Investors anticipate a potential resurgence in funding as market conditions stabilize, although not reaching the record levels observed in 2021.
