This year, DADUPA highlights the continent’s resilience and creativity through 6 entrepreneurs who inspire Africa in 2025. These founders have turned ideas into billion-dollar companies or soonicorns despite challenges. Their journeys reveal principles, lessons, and visions that inspire future entrepreneurs.
This article draws from success stories shared by TechCrunch, Tracxn, Endeavor, and other sources to showcase six impactful leaders. From fintech and mobility to super apps and payments, these entrepreneurs prove that Africa’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive.
Andela: Building Borderless Talent Opportunities
In 2014, six founders—Jeremy Johnson, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Nadayar Enegesi, Brice Nkengsa, Ian Carnevale, and Christina Sass—launched Andela. Despite political turmoil in Nigeria and an Ebola outbreak in West Africa, they pursued their bold mission. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s vision, Andela sought to dismantle barriers in global hiring.
The startup began as a hub in Lagos but quickly grew into a global, remote-first marketplace. Today, Andela connects skilled engineers and professionals from overlooked regions with top global companies. Its valuation of $1.5 billion reflects the strength of its vision and execution.
The principle driving Andela is simple yet powerful: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By providing pathways for African and Latin American professionals, the founders redefined the meaning of borderless hiring. Their story is a lesson in resilience, vision, and creating impact beyond borders.
Chipper Cash: Redefining Financial Transactions Across Africa
Founded in 2018 by Ugandan Ham Serunjogi and Ghanaian Maijid Moujaled, Chipper Cash was born from frustration. Both co-founders had experienced the high costs and inefficiencies of sending money across African borders. They envisioned a simple, affordable platform to change this.
Ham, after working at Facebook, brought valuable knowledge of global operations. Maijid, with experience at Flickr and Yahoo, provided strong technical expertise. Together, they built a fintech platform that now serves millions across the continent. Backed by investors like Ribbit Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Chipper Cash is valued at $1.25 billion.
The lesson behind their journey is that challenges can spark innovation. By turning personal frustration into opportunity, they created a unicorn that empowers users and businesses. Chipper Cash’s rise shows how shared vision and complementary skills drive success.
Moove: Unlocking Mobility Through Financial Innovation
Friends Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi launched Moove in 2020 to solve a critical challenge. Many Africans could not access safe, reliable vehicles for work due to financing barriers. Banks considered gig drivers too risky, leaving a huge gap in the market.
Moove introduced a revenue-based financing model, transforming access to mobility. Drivers pay for vehicles directly through their earnings, with payments collected seamlessly via Uber and other partners. This innovation eliminated risk linked to willingness to pay, focusing instead on ability to pay.
The principle behind Moove’s success is economic empowerment. By treating vehicles as sources of income, Moove helped thousands build sustainable livelihoods. Now valued at $750 million, the company expands across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, proving the scalability of purpose-driven innovation.
Yassir: A Super App Born from Academic Brilliance
Noureddine Tayebi, a Stanford PhD holder and Silicon Valley veteran, returned to Algeria with a question: how could technology accelerate growth in North Africa? In 2017, he co-founded Yassir, combining his entrepreneurial experience with a commitment to his roots.
Yassir began as a ride-hailing service but quickly diversified. With the support of co-founder Mahdi Yettou, the company added food delivery, groceries, and financial services. Mahdi’s local presence ensured compliance with Algerian regulations and closer community engagement.
Today, Yassir operates in nine countries with millions of users and a valuation approaching $1 billion. The lesson from Yassir is bold ambition coupled with deep local knowledge. By adapting to challenges, including the pandemic, Yassir transformed into one of Africa’s most promising soonicorns.
Clickatell: A Story of Friendship, Loss, and Legacy
Clickatell’s journey began in South Africa in 1999 under a tree in Stellenbosch. Danie du Toit, Patrick Lawson, Casper De Villiers and Pieter de Villiers, transformed napkin ideas into a pioneering messaging company.
The early years were tough, filled with mistakes, sleepless nights, and investor pressure. But the co-founders’ unity and deep bonds kept them moving forward. The toughest challenge came when Danie was diagnosed with leukemia and later passed away. Pieter’s story of grief, resilience, and renewal shaped Clickatell’s culture.
Today, Clickatell, valued around $500 million, connects businesses with customers through chat commerce. Its greatest principle is that success comes not only from innovation but also from love, loyalty, and shared vision. For Pieter, Danie’s legacy remains the heartbeat of Clickatell’s mission.
Onafriq: Transforming Digital Payments Across Borders
Dare Okoudjou left a secure career at MTN Group in 2009 to pursue a bold vision. He wanted to solve Africa’s fragmented payment systems and unlock seamless cross-border transactions. This vision became Onafriq, formerly known as MFS Africa.
Early challenges included funding hurdles and complex regulatory issues across African countries. Recruiting believers in the mission was equally critical. Dare’s ability to rally a diverse team helped Onafriq scale into Africa’s largest digital payments hub.
The rebranding to Onafriq symbolized maturity and expanded ambition. Today, valued between $300 and $500 million, it connects millions of mobile wallets and financial institutions. The lesson here is persistence and adaptability. By addressing inefficiencies head-on, Dare built a soonicorn shaping Africa’s financial future.
Conclusion
Our aticle on 6 entrepreneurs who inspire Africa in 2025 reveals more than financial success. These stories highlight resilience, principles, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. From unicorns like Andela and Chipper Cash to soonicorns like Moove, Yassir, Clickatell, and Onafriq, these founders embody Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Their lessons are timeless: vision drives growth, principles sustain resilience, and challenges become stepping stones to success. As Africa’s startup ecosystem evolves, these stories remind us that inspiration fuels innovation.
Many thanks to the following actors for sharing the success stories of these entrepreneurs who inspire Africa: