Africa’s Startup Exit Activity Rises with 37 Exits in 2025, but Liquidity Remains Constrained
- There were 37 startup and scale-up exits by fund managers in 2025.
- 22 of these exits resulted from trade sales, with 40.5% involving international buyers.
- The average holding period before exits was 6.2 years.
The findings from the African liquidity index suggest a maturing ecosystem for startups in Africa, yet the persistent opacity and limited exit routes indicate that significant challenges remain. Encouraging data-sharing among fund managers could enhance market insights and foster growth, but it will require concerted efforts from all stakeholders to realize the potential of the African startup landscape.
