The African tech scene is sending a clear signal: the funding winter is thawing, and it’s time to make deals. This October, all eyes will turn to Lagos as TechCabal’s flagship conference, Moonshot, brings together a massive convergence of global investors, venture capitalists, and the continent’s most ambitious founders. The mission is simple but audacious: to forge the partnerships and exits that will define the next era of African tech.
After a chilly period of global funding slowdowns, the numbers are starting to heat up. In the first half of 2025 alone, African startups raked in $1.42 billion across 243 deals, a staggering 78% jump from the previous year. Now, the challenge isn’t just about securing seed rounds; it’s about building sustainable growth, creating clear paths to exit, and proving that African innovation can compete on a global stage. Moonshot is positioning itself as the nexus for these critical conversations.
“The African tech ecosystem is gaining real momentum, and we’re seeing a growing appetite from global investors to back its next wave of startups,” said Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media, the company behind TechCabal. “This is the moment to connect ambitious founders with the right capital, explore how exit opportunities can sustain growth, and build partnerships that truly scale. At this year’s Moonshot, we’re creating the space for those conversations to happen.”
The Heavy Hitters are Coming to Town
This isn’t just another tech conference. The speaker list reads like a who’s who of African venture capital, featuring names like Maxime Bayen of FundCatalyst, Norrskken 22’s Lexi Novitske, Tito Cookey-Gam from Partech Africa, and Eloho Omame of TLcom Capital.
In a significant show of international interest, the European Union’s Digital for Development (D4D) Hub is flying in a delegation of over 100 European investors and ecosystem leaders. “Moonshot is an important space for putting Global Gateway into action by connecting African innovators with European investors and partners,” commented Hussein Jaffar, the D4D Hub Africa Branch Deputy Coordinator. This move is set to supercharge deal flow between the continents, turning conversations into tangible collaborations.
Beyond Funding: Diving Deep into AI, Payments, and Policy
While dealmaking is the main event, the conference will also get its hands dirty with the technologies shaping Africa’s future. With headline sponsor Sabi, a major focus will be Africa’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
The agenda also features deep-dive sessions on the continent’s payment infrastructure. Experts will explore how APIs, mobile money, and cross-border interoperability are revolutionizing financial inclusion. “APIs have become the backbone of digital commerce, enabling real-time settlement, embedded finance, and seamless cross-border transactions,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO of platinum sponsor Fincra. Discussions will also tackle the controversial but crucial role of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in the future of African finance.
Adding a crucial policy perspective, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade, Jumoke Oduwole, will be on hand to discuss how progressive trade policies are helping startups scale and export digital services, cementing Nigeria’s role as a digital trade hub for the continent.
With over 4,000 attendees, 120 speakers, and a powerhouse list of sponsors including Flutterwave, Luno, Opay, and Interswitch, Moonshot 2025 is shaping up to be more than just an event; it’s a barometer for the health and ambition of the entire African tech ecosystem.
Registration is open at moonshot.techcabal.com.
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