Nairobi, Aug. 4 -- Kenya has lost its spot as Africa's top startup funding destination after inflows to Egypt overtook it, underlining the impact of depressed investment activity in the six months to June 2026.

Records show that startups in Kenya attracted $126 million (Sh16.3 billion) in the first half of 2026, to rank third behind Egypt, which attracted $327 million (Sh42.3 billion), and Nigeria, with $254 million (Sh32.9 billion).

The other 'Big Four' startup ecosystem on the continent, South Africa, was fourth with $83 million (Sh10.7 billion) raised, according to new data from startup funding tracker Africa: The Big Deal.

The first-half performance in 2026 marks Kenya's weakest funding haul since early 2021 and is also a decline f...