Africa is a continent with a rapidly growing tech ecosystem that has caught the interest of many major investors in recent years. With over 600 hubs (physical tech places or cities), Nigeria is the largest with 85, closely followed by South Africa (80) in second and Kenya (55) in third.
We also see countries in North Africa such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco whose tech scenes have flourished in recent years. The African tech space attracts many entrepreneurs because of its untapped potential. In this article, we review some of the largest tech hubs to look out for in Africa in 2023.
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🇳🇬 Lagos, Nigeria
Population: About 16 million
Tech companies: Andela, Flutterwave
Lagos, Nigeria's financial capital, also known as Nigeria's Silicon Valley, is a vibrant tech hub that produces several unicorns. The city, with its massive population of around 16 million is home to many tech startups such as Paystack, Flutterwave, Andela, Jumia, and Paga.
Lagos also has co-working spaces, incubators and accelerators that support budding tech talent where some ongoing tech events are Lagos Startup Week, Social Media Week Lagos, Coinference, and the Nigeria Innovation Summit. With its vibrant tech scene and entrepreneurial spirit, Lagos remains a prominent player in Africa's tech revolution.
🇰🇪 Nairobi, Kenya
Population: About 5.4 million (2021 estimate)
Tech companies: M-Pesa, BRCK
Nairobi, Kenya's capital, is at the forefront of Africa's tech renaissance. Often referred to as the “Silicon Savannah”, Nairobi has a dynamic tech ecosystem fueled by a burgeoning startup culture and a supportive government with co working spaces such as iHub, Nailab, 88mph, and Nairobi Garage.
Some notable startups that emerged from Nairobi include Ushahidi, M-Pesa, Twiga Foods and BRCK. The city is also home to 12 educational institutions that make talent readily available. Microsoft and Visa, chose the city for their African operations.
🇪🇬 Cairo, Egypt
Population: About 22 million
Tech companies: SWVL, Vezeeta
Cairo, the largest city in Egypt, is emerging as a major technology hub in North Africa and has become a gateway to the Middle East. With its massive population of around 22 million, the city's strategic location and growing community have attracted both local and international startups.
Cairo's tech scene is diverse, with a focus on artificial intelligence, blockchain and e-commerce. The government's commitment to promoting technological innovation through various initiatives further drives Cairo's position as a growing technological player on the continent.
🇿🇦 Cape Town, South Africa
Inhabitants: About 4.6 million
Tech companies: Naspers, Takealot
Cape Town, a multi-faceted coastal city in South Africa, has emerged as a prominent technological hub on the African continent. Many startups have emerged here such as JUMO, GetSmarter, Yoco, SweepSouth, PAYU, and Aerobotics
The city has seen the rise of prominent tech companies such as Naspers, a global media and technology conglomerate with significant investments in e-commerce, fintech and online markets. Takealot, a leading South African e-commerce platform, is also headquartered in Cape Town and contributes to the city's tech presence.
Cape Town's tech sector has shown potential in areas such as fintech, e-commerce, green tech and tourism technology. The city also strives to develop smart cities and sustainable solutions to meet the future challenges. They have many incubators and co working spaces such as 22 On Sloane, Workshop17, and MEST Africa.
🇿🇦 Johannesburg, South Africa
Population: About 6 million
Tech companies: JUMO, Yoco
As the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is a significant player in the African technology landscape. The city's well-established infrastructure and skilled workforce multinational technology companies, startups and investors. Johannesburg's tech ecosystem spans various industries, including fintech, e-commerce and renewable energy. With a mix of entrepreneurship and corporate innovation, Johannesburg continues to drive technological progress in the southern region of Africa.
🇷🇼 Kigali, Rwanda
Inhabitants: About 1.4 million
Tech companies: Zipline, SafeMotos
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is making impressive strides in its tech ecosystem. With a population of around 1.4 million, the city's smart city initiatives and emphasis on digital innovation have gained international attention. Kigali hosts various tech events and conferences such as the Africa Tech Summit which attracts investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world.
The government's commitment to technological advancement and the promotion of a knowledge-based economy positions Kigali as a growing technology hub in East Africa. Some startups that come from Kigali are Ampersand, Jibu, Kasha, and Zipline.
🇲🇦 Casablanca, Morocco
Population: About 4 million
Tech companies: inwi, Heetch
Casablanca, Morocco's commercial capital, has been making strides in the African tech scene. With a population of around 4 million, the city is home to a growing number of tech startups and entrepreneurs, facilitated by co-working spaces and tech incubators. The city's focus on smart cities and digital transformation further cements its position as a growing tech hub.
🇹🇳 Tunis, Tunisia
Population: About 2.8 million
Tech companies: InstaDeep, Expensya
Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, is a rising star in North Africa's tech scene. The city's focus on digital transformation and technological innovation has attracted both investors and startups. Tunis has a talented pool of technical professionals, nurtured by the country's strong education system. With a growing number of tech events and a supportive government, Tunis holds great promise as a tech hub in the Maghreb region.
In conclusion, Africa is an emerging market in IT where it has happened a lot just these recent years. If you need help outsourcing IT internationally, from EU or US - please book a free consultation with WeTal here. We have negotiated prices, help with estimates and make sure you get the best deal when outsourcing tech.
