7 East African Tech Startups to Watch

East Africa’s Tech Boom: A Rising Force in Africa’s Startup Ecosystem

The East African tech startup ecosystem is experiencing an unprecedented surge, attracting both regional and international attention. From career and recruitment platforms to software infrastructure for emergency response teams, startups in this region are solving pressing challenges and enhancing user experiences across various industries.  

While Nigeria and West Africa continue to lead in tech investments, East Africa is not far behind. The region is emerging as a major player in Africa’s innovation space, powered by strong incubators and innovation hubs. Notably, Nairobi has become the region’s tech epicenter, accounting for 26% of total tech investments in Africa.  

Key Sectors Driving Growth

The most prominent sectors witnessing innovation in East Africa include:  

- Agriculture (AgTech)

- Financial services (FinTech) 

- Healthcare & Medicine (HealthTech)

Game-Changing Startups from East Africa

SafeMotos – Rwanda

Tackling road safety in Rwanda, SafeMotos launched in 2015 as a ride-hailing platform that rewards safe driving. Only drivers with at least three years of experience can join the platform. Using GPS, gyroscope, and speed monitoring, SafeMotos analyzes driving behavior in real time to rate safety levels.  

📌 Milestones:

✅ 5,000 registered users  

✅ 20,000+ trips completed  

✅ 500,000+ km tracked  

✅ $130,000+ raised in funding  

Mozambikes – Mozambique

With many rural areas in Mozambique lacking formal transport systems, Mozambikes provides affordable bicycles as a sustainable solution. The startup operates on an advertising model, where companies sponsor branded bikes, making them more affordable for low-income earners.  

📌 Key Features: 

✔️ Corporate social responsibility (CSR) bike branding  

✔️ Direct sales to organizations for employee/community use  

✔️ Charitable donations via website  

BRCK – Kenya

Founded in 2013, BRCK has built rugged, cloud-powered internet connectivity solutions tailored for Africa. From the original BRCK v1 to the Kio Kit (education) and SupaBRCK (enterprise connectivity), the startup provides solutions for internet access in challenging environments.  

📌 Innovation Focus:

✔️ Remote device management  

✔️ Cloud-syncing platforms for data storage  

✔️ IoT solutions for frontier markets  

Safari Yetu – Tanzania

Safari Yetu revolutionizes travel across East Africa by digitizing bus ticketing. Instead of visiting bus stations, travelers can now book seats, pay online, and receive tickets via SMS or email—a game-changer in East African intercity transport.  

📌 Impact: 

✔️ Saves time & eliminates the hassle of in-person ticketing  

✔️ Reduces monopolies in the transport sector  

✔️ Recognized with multiple awards for innovation  

Sokowatch – Kenya & Tanzania

Sokowatch empowers informal retail shops by allowing them to reorder inventory via SMS or app . With over 10 million small shops across Africa selling $180 billion worth of goods annually, Sokowatch streamlines supply chains and offers:  

📌 Value Proposition:

✔️ Real-time inventory trackingor shopkeepers  

✔️ Data-driven product recommendations to boost sales  

✔️ Micro-credit access based on purchase history  

💰 Total Funding: $2 million  

Mawingu – Kenya 

Bridging the digital divide in rural Kenya, Mawingu delivers solar-powered WiFi using underutilized TV white space frequencies. Schools, clinics, and small businesses are now getting affordable internet access, thanks to Mawingu’s groundbreaking approach.  

📌 Why It Matters: 

✔️ Expands digital literacy in rural areas  

✔️ Enables e-learning, telemedicine, and e-commerce

✔️ Utilizes clean energy for sustainable connectivity  

PesaPal – Kenya

Dubbed the “PayPal of Kenya”, PesaPal offers a secure online and mobile payment platform for businesses and individuals. Supporting M-Pesa, credit cards, and Zap, the platform simplifies digital transactions across multiple African countries.  

📌 Key Features:

✔️ PCI/DSS Level 1 compliant security  

✔️ Works both online and at Point-of-Sale (PoS)

✔️ Recently launched ‘Sabi’ PoS system in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe  

Final Thoughts: Is East Africa the Next Tech Powerhouse?

With its booming startup scene, strong investment climate, and thriving innovation hubs, East Africa is proving to be a hotbed for tech-driven solutions As more funding flows into the region, the future of East African tech looks promising—but can it challenge West Africa’s dominance in the long run? Only time will tell.