13 African countries in the world’s Top 100 best-performing startup ecosystems by 2026
May 21st 2026
Only two countries on the continent managed to improve their ranking this year compared to the previous edition of the ranking, while eight fell. Several African ecosystems, however, recorded growth rates exceeding 30% over the past year.
Thirteen African countries are among the world’s top 100 best-performing startup ecosystems in 2026, according to a ranking published on Tuesday, May 19 by the specialized research firm StartupBlink.
Entitled “Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026”, this ranking is based on 27 indicators divided into three main categories: quantity (number of start-ups, investors in the technology sector, coworking spaces, accelerators, meetings dedicated to start-ups, etc.); quality (investments in startups, number of unicorns, market capitalization of technology companies, presence of research and development centers established by large international technology companies, presence of subsidiaries of multinationals, number of start-ups supported by world-renowned accelerators, presence of international influencers in the field of start-ups, etc.); and the business environment in the field of innovation (Internet freedom, connection speed, cross-border banking services, rigidity of labor legislation, cost of living, etc.).
South Africa (52nd globally) has maintained its position as the African country with the most developed startup ecosystem on the continent since the index was first published in 2017. The ecosystem in this country, the most industrialized on the continent, has shown growth of 31.3% over the past year, the highest rate of progress in Southern Africa.
Kenya (61st in the world) also retains its second place on the continent, despite dropping three places globally. Nigeria (62nd in the world) completes the African podium.
In total, two African countries managed to improve their ranking this year compared to 2025: Nigeria, which gained four places, and Cape Verde (+1 place). Eight countries fell, while South Africa and Egypt maintained their positions. Mauritius rejoined the global Top 100 this year, after having left it. Somalia, which was ranked 100th in 2025, is no longer among the top 100 startup ecosystems in the world this year.
The biggest drops were in Namibia (-9 places), Ghana (-6) and Senegal (-5).
Tunisia and Uganda are among the most dynamic ecosystems
Despite this overall negative trend, several African ecosystems recorded growth rates above 30% during the past year, notably those of Tunisia (+36.6%), Uganda (+32.5%), Nigeria (+31.8%), South Africa (+31.3%) and Cape Verde (+31.3%).
StartupBlink also ranked the startup ecosystems of 1,500 cities worldwide. Only Lagos (70th globally) and Cairo (99th) made it into the Top 100, thanks to their dynamic local ecosystems that include several unicorns and major startup accelerators.
Walid Kefi
African startup ecosystems expected to be in the global Top 100 in 2026:
1-South Africa (52nd in the world)
2-Kenya (61st)
3-Nigeria (62nd)
4-Egypt (65th)
5-Cape Verde (74th)
6-Tunisia (84th)
7-Maurice (85th)
8-Ghana (87th)
9-Morocco (90th)
10-Namibia (94th)
11- Uganda (96th)
12-Senegal (97th)
13-Rwanda (100th)
Back