INFOGRAPHIC: Startup Funding in Africa and the Middle East — Week 13, 2025
Here are the venture funding activities we tracked in the Middle East and African region this week – including Valeo Health, Charm Security, Enza, Rivy, Nayla Finance, Lumi AI, Jem HR, and Arabian Pay.
Startups across Africa and the Middle East are securing serious cash as they push to reshape industries and solve big problems. From UAE-based health tech to Israeli security startups, the funding landscape is buzzing with activity — and the numbers are impressive.
Valeo Health, a healthtech player from the UAE, secured $12 million in its Series B round, bringing its total funding to $20 million — a strong signal of confidence in their approach to transforming healthcare delivery.
Cybersecurity is also getting some serious attention. Israeli startup Charm Security just came out of stealth mode with an $8 million seed round led by Team8. Their focus? Using AI to protect consumers and financial institutions from social engineering fraud — a growing threat in the digital world.
Meanwhile, African fintechs are making major moves. Egyptian payment solutions startup Enza raised $6.75 million in seed funding to drive more inclusive digital payments across the continent. Nigerian AI-powered lender Payhippo closed a $4 million pre-Series A round and rebranded to Rivy, doubling its mission to power Africa’s renewable energy sector.
Fintech is also heating up in the Middle East. Riyadh-based Nayla Finance secured $4 million in seed funding to provide micro-businesses with much-needed capital. UAE-based AI startup Lumi AI pulled in $3.7 million in seed funding from heavyweights like AgFunder and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ to scale its AI-driven solutions.
Even HR tech is getting involved in the action. South African startup Jem HR, which simplifies employee benefits through WhatsApp, just closed a $3.3 million pre-Series A round to fuel its growth. In Saudi Arabia, fintech company Arabian Pay secured an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed round backed by Al Bassami Holding Group.
The funding flood shows no signs of slowing. As these startups scale, they’re not just raising capital — they’re redefining industries and setting the stage for the next wave of innovation.
