Nigeria’s startup ecosystem remains one of the most influential on the continent, consistently ranking among Africa’s “Big Four” startup markets alongside Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.
These markets attracted more than 80% of venture capital flowing into the market in 2025.
Despite Nigeria’s strong position in Africa’s startup economy, the industry remains largely dominated by male founders and executives, with women founders receiving a much smaller share of venture capital, a funding gap that persists across global startup ecosystems.
According to compiled deal data, 98 Nigerian startups raised a total of $442.8 million in 2025.
Of this amount, female-led startups collectively raised $3.3 million during the same period.
Even so, a number of Nigerian female-led ventures are steadily carving out space for themselves, breaking barriers and also setting the pace for a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
They may have received a fraction of the total investment, but the impact of their work extends far beyond funding alone. These companies continue to foster economic growth, encouraging innovation and developing solutions that address gaps in healthtech, agritech, renewable energy, and other critical sectors.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, here are the women-led Nigerian startups ranked by funds raised in 2025.
OneHealth is a digital healthcare and pharmacy startup founded by Adeola Alli in 2019. The company raised $200,000 in 2025 through a grant from GIZ, Germany’s development agency, to expand access to technology‑driven healthcare services across Nigeria.
OneHealth operates a digital‑first platform that connects patients with medications, telemedicine services, and therapeutic support.
The startup partners with a nationwide network of pharmacies and healthcare providers to ensure that essential treatments and consultations reach users across all 36 states.
The funding will support the company’s efforts to scale its e‑pharmacy operations, strengthen tele‑healthcare offerings, and enhance medication delivery and adherence tools on its platform.
