Directory database · Startups in Africa
Where to submit an African startup: 4 directories
African startup directories range from pan-African databases that track funding and companies across the continent to country lists for the biggest hubs: Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Cairo and others. They are read by investors, development finance organisations, accelerators, journalists and corporates looking for partners, so a complete, accurate profile is what counts. Be precise about where you are registered and where you operate, since many African startups work across several countries and investors filter by both. Sector matters a lot here too (fintech, logistics, agritech, health, energy), and several databases are organised around it. Some programmes and investor networks that run directories also cover emerging markets more broadly, including Latin America, so check their scope before you submit. Update your profile after each round or new market.
2 with a verified dofollow link · 4 free or with a free option · 3 reviewed by a person · last checked Sep 23, 2026
By hand, from $79 one-time.
Pan-African directories 2
Most popular first.
VC4A
vc4a.com
VC4A is a venture platform for African (and some Latin American) startups that hosts venture profiles, accelerator programs, mentoring and investor matching. A founder creates a venture profile that…
FreeUnverifiedCheckedStartupList Africa
startuplist.africa
StartupList Africa is a data platform covering African startups, investors, funding rounds and founders, with country and industry rankings. Founders can submit a new company or claim and correct an…
FreeDofollowChecked
Country directories in Africa 2
Most popular first.
menagrid
menagrid.co
menagrid is a MENA startup and venture hub that profiles startups and funding sources across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the wider region. Startups submit their details, and the team screens…
FreeDofollowCheckedStartupKit
startupkit.pro
StartupKit is a bilingual Arabic and English founder toolkit for MENA startups that includes a public founder directory. Each free profile shows a Build Progress score, traction and asks, and can be…
Free + paidUnverifiedChecked
DR is Domain Rating by Ahrefs: a 0–100 score of a site’s backlinks, higher is stronger. It isn’t a Google metric. Tranco rank is a research top-sites ranking: lower means more popular. How we check each directory
How to prioritise
- Pan-African databases that investors and programmes search.
- Directories for the country or city where you operate.
- Sector lists for your industry with an African focus.
Questions about this list
Should I list the country of registration or where I operate?
Both, if the form allows. Many African startups register in one country and operate in several; investors and programmes often filter by each.
Do pan-African directories accept early-stage startups?
Many do, including pre-seed companies. Some investor-run databases focus on companies raising or already funded; each directory page notes who it lists.
Are these directories useful for finding customers?
Mostly for investors, partners, press and hiring. For customers, add directories in your product category and in the markets you sell to.
Which of these directories give a dofollow link?
2 of the 4 had a followed (dofollow) listing link when we checked: StartupList Africa, menagrid. Directories change their link policy, so check your own listing once it is live.