French Tech Startups Raise €6 Billion in 2025 Amid Growing Global Innovation
French tech startups have achieved a remarkable milestone in 2025, raising €6 billion from January to September, driven by growth in strategic sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, health technology, and green innovation. Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, revealed this during the French Week startup summit in Lagos, emphasizing the dynamism of France’s startup ecosystem.
According to Favier, the French startup landscape has expanded significantly over the past few years. From only three unicorns in 2017, the country is on track to have 26 unicorns by the end of 2025, reflecting President Macron’s long-term vision to boost technological innovation. He attributed this growth to strong public and private investment and a culture of technological sovereignty.
Highlighting Africa’s growing tech influence, Favier praised Nigeria as one of the continent’s leading tech powerhouses, alongside Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa. He noted that Nigerian startups raised over $400 million last year, showcasing the entrepreneurial energy of the youth and the increasing opportunities for collaboration between France and Nigeria in the tech sector.
The 2025 French Tech 2030 cohort, announced last week, includes 80 high-impact companies specializing in AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, space technology, and advanced industrial systems. These companies represent France’s commitment to global competitiveness, long-term innovation, and sustainable development. Favier described the partnership with Nigeria as a strategic bridge between two global innovation hubs.
African tech leaders also shared their perspectives on the continent’s rapid growth. Fiyinfolu Okedare of Forvis Mazars emphasized that African startups are now global players, processing over $100 billion in transactions annually across more than 30 countries. CEO Muyiwa Matuluko highlighted the importance of storytelling and perception in scaling startups, while the pitch competition at the summit crowned Brydge as the winner for its cross-border payment technology, reflecting Africa’s leap into global innovation.
source: The Guardian