Startups On Our Radar highlights innovative African startups addressing local challenges. In our last issue, we showcased five transformative ventures revolutionizing finance, transportation, music, and logistics. Look out for our next update on September 26, 2025.
This edition spotlights seven promising African startups in fintech and logistics/mobility sectors that deserve your attention. Let’s explore them:
1. Swiftway: Streamlining Cross-Border Cargo for African Enterprises (Logistics, Ghana)
While logistics often conjures images of delivery bikes weaving through urban streets, Swiftway Shippers is focusing on the broader challenge of moving cargo internationally by air and sea. Many African importers and exporters face a disjointed process, with separate fees and paperwork at each step. Swiftway’s platform consolidates these elements, enabling businesses to schedule pickups or drop-offs, clear customs, and monitor shipments live-all from one interface.
Their digital shipping solution also offers detailed tariff and route data, promoting transparency through a network of partners including airlines, freight companies, customs agents, last-mile couriers, and warehouses. Within just four months, Swiftway has facilitated shipments worth over $44,000 and generated $5,000 in revenue.
Why it matters: The logistics sector in Africa has faced funding challenges and investor skepticism recently. For instance, Nigeria’s Kobo360 relied heavily on short-term financing and ceased operations by late 2024 after investors withdrew. Similarly, Kenya’s Lori Systems saw its valuation plummet from $120 million to $5 million due to unmet growth expectations. Swiftway is taking a cautious approach by solidifying its presence in Ghana before expanding, supported by a $100,000 pre-seed funding round.
2. Vendai: The AI-Powered Retail Assistant for African Small Businesses (AI, Kenya)
Vendai offers an AI-driven assistant tailored for small-scale retailers, especially those selling fast-moving consumer goods. Leveraging large language models, Vendai provides shop owners with instant analytics on sales trends and stock levels. Retailers can upload product images to update inventory and receive actionable advice to optimize operations. Currently in beta with over 250 users, Vendai plans a full launch in December 2025 and is raising $10,000 in pre-seed capital. It has also partnered with distributors like Nairobi’s Mahitaji Enterprises.
Why it stands out: Unlike competitors such as Market Force and Twiga, Vendai aims to remain a software-only platform. Co-founder Timothy Liede notes that rivals struggle with narrow profit margins due to their involvement in logistics and physical distribution. By staying asset-light and focusing on software, Vendai hopes to maintain lower costs. Additionally, the platform is developing offline capabilities to serve retailers without reliable internet access.
3. Tiny Fund: Simplifying Investment for Novices Without Copy Trading Complexity (Fintech, Nigeria)
Tiny Fund connects everyday investors, especially beginners, with vetted professional traders across stocks, cryptocurrencies, forex, and other markets. Users fund their wallets, select traders aligned with their risk preferences, and see trades mirrored on their dashboards. Since launching its pilot in August 2025, Tiny Fund has attracted 17 subscribers and generates $425 in monthly recurring revenue.
Why it’s noteworthy: Copy trading democratizes access to complex financial markets for those lacking time or expertise. Tiny Fund positions itself as a beginner-friendly alternative to platforms like OctaFX and AvaTrade by offering a less technical, more accessible experience.
4. Case Radar: Making Legal Information as Accessible as a Web Search (LegalTech, Nigeria)
Case Radar leverages AI to revolutionize legal research, eliminating the need to sift through court records or voluminous texts. The platform delivers Nigeria-specific legal answers and documents while instantly connecting users to legal professionals. Since its September 2024 launch, it has attracted over 2,000 active users. Access costs as little as ₦1,000 ($0.67) per hour, with new users receiving three free AI-assisted trials. Legal aid organizations also utilize Case Radar’s tools to streamline case preparation.
Why it’s important: Many Nigerians face barriers in understanding their legal rights and obtaining legal aid. Case Radar addresses this gap by simplifying access to legal knowledge, aiming to boost legal literacy nationwide.
5. Paycita: The Comprehensive Business Management Platform for African Enterprises (SaaS, Nigeria)
Paycita offers an all-in-one solution for businesses to handle payroll, inventory, vendor payments, expense tracking, and even airtime purchases for employees. It enables SMEs and larger companies to onboard staff, monitor attendance in real-time, manage performance reviews, and issue loans-all within a single app. Subscription plans start at ₦7,500 ($49.93) monthly, making it affordable for small teams.
Why it’s promising: SMEs constitute 96% of Nigerian businesses, provide 84% of jobs, and contribute 48% to GDP, yet over half fail within their first year due to infrastructure and operational challenges. Paycita’s integrated SaaS platform aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Africa’s SME sector.
6. Midupay: Enabling Seamless Crypto and Naira Payments for Businesses (Fintech, Nigeria)
Midupay is a cross-border payment platform that allows merchants to create free online stores and share product links with customers. Vendors can accept payments in naira or cryptocurrencies (for USD-priced items) via bank transfers or wallets like Binance. Beyond payment processing, Midupay offers dashboards for inventory management, sales tracking, customer engagement, and AI-driven sales forecasting and marketing insights. Since its August 2025 debut, it has onboarded 18 businesses and charges a 1% transaction fee.
Why it’s relevant: Nigeria’s crypto market is projected to reach $2.5 billion in 2025. With recent regulatory approvals, opportunities are expanding rapidly. Midupay fills a critical gap for SMEs struggling to access multi-currency wallets and sell internationally.
7. Timeless Healthcare: Nigeria’s Virtual Hospital for Accessible Medical Care (Healthtech, Nigeria)
Launched in June 2025, Timeless Healthcare offers round-the-clock virtual consultations connecting Nigerians with doctors via video and audio calls. Patients can upload test results, receive electronic prescriptions, and collect medications from partner pharmacies. The service operates on a subscription model starting at ₦1,800 ($1.20) per month. The platform has attracted 100 sign-ups, with 50 paying subscribers.
Why it’s critical: Nigeria faces significant healthcare access and affordability challenges. A 2022 report showed a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:8,836, and over 190 million Nigerians lack health insurance, relying on out-of-pocket payments. Timeless Healthcare’s affordable subscription model aims to provide consistent medical access to everyday citizens.
That wraps up this edition. Our next update arrives on September 26th. Know a startup that deserves a spotlight? Submit your nomination here.
Save the date! Moonshot by TechCabal returns to Lagos on October 15-16. Join Africa’s leading founders, creatives, and tech innovators for two days of inspiring talks, networking, and forward-thinking ideas. Secure your tickets now at moonshot.techcabal.com
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