Enkopa Summit

Name: Enkopa Summit
Address: Ethiopian Science Musium, Addis Ababa, 1000, ET
Telephone: +251966334456

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Enkopa Summit

The most exciting tech event in Ethiopia- connect with dreamers, doers, investors & experts.

21/05/2026

African startup funding rebounded in Q1 2026 but the recovery is becoming narrower.

According to FurtherAfrica, African startups raised roughly $600–700M in Q1 2026, up from about $470M a year earlier. But behind the stronger headline numbers, deal volume fell sharply, seed-stage funding tightened, and debt financing accounted for most of the capital flowing into the ecosystem.

The shift signals a market becoming more concentrated around fewer, later-stage companies with clearer monetisation models, while early-stage founders face a tougher path to capital.

If this trend continues, Africa’s startup ecosystem may become financially stronger at the top — but structurally weaker at the bottom.

Source: FurtherAfrica | May 20, 2026

20/02/2026

Africa’s venture ecosystem is showing disciplined resilience. In 2025, startups raised $3.9 billion across 506 deals, with deal activity rising 4% year on year despite global market adjustments. Early stage funding remained strong, eight megadeals accounted for $1.3 billion, and venture debt nearly doubled to $1.8 billion, signaling smarter capital structures across the continent.

Notably, domestic investors accounted for 45% of total venture commitments, according to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA). With 34 exits recorded and increasing Africa based buyer participation, the ecosystem is recalibrating toward patient, locally anchored capital and long term sustainability.

13/02/2026

The National Bank of Ethiopia has issued Directive No. FXD/04/2026, introducing sweeping amendments to its foreign exchange framework to improve ease of doing business and deepen market confidence.

Key changes include the introduction of forward exchange rate transactions, full FX retention for service exporters, simplified foreign currency account opening, removal of several declaration requirements, and delegated approvals to banks for external loans and dividend remittances.

The directive also allows outward investment on a case by case basis and expands access to foreign currency for medical, education, and family support payments.

The directive takes effect on February 12, 2026.

What impact could these reforms have on Ethiopia’s investment climate and foreign exchange market stability?

10/02/2026

Applications are open, apply by February 16.

The 6-week acceleration program starts in March. Selected founders receive investment, expert support, the opportunity to pitch at Enkopa Summit in October, and more.

The Enkopa Fund is a locally anchored investment fund deploying capital in Ethiopian Birr, backed by local expertise and global best practices. The Fund invests in a small number of experienced founders building for Ethiopia’s domestic market, with a long-term partnership approach.

👉 Sign up here: https://enkopasummit.com/enkopax
Questions? Contact [email protected]

04/02/2026

Data from the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration presents a contrasting picture of Ethiopia's business environment.

According to Minister Kassahun Gofe, licensed businesses grew from 1.6 million (2018) to 4.6 million (2025), a 288% increase. The ministry reports 4.67 million businesses currently operating legally, with 371,000+ new licenses issued in the first half of the current fiscal year alone.
These figures stand in sharp contrast to the Ministry of Labor and Skills report, which documented 470,000 federal business licenses leaving the register in 2024, an 80% decline from 585,000 to just over 100,000.

Why is there such a large difference between the Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Ministry of Labor and Skills reports?

And which one reflects the truth of Ethiopia's business landscape?

02/02/2026

Introducing the Enkopa Fund, a locally anchored investment fund backing Ethiopia’s most experienced founders. 💡

Built on local capital and local know-how, the Fund applies global best practices to support founders building for Ethiopia’s domestic market, for the long term.

👉 Sign up and learn more: https://enkopasummit.com/enkopax
Questions? Reach us at [email protected]

29/01/2026

African capital is playing a bigger role in shaping the continent’s startup ecosystem. According to a January 2026 Briter report, local investors now account for almost 40% of total startup funding, up from 25% just two years ago, as global capital continues to pull back from African tech.

This shift signals more than a funding adjustment. Local fund managers, angels, and high-net-worth individuals are stepping in with capital that is deeply informed by on-the-ground market realities. Their proximity to founders, customers, and regulatory environments is helping direct investment toward products that are commercially viable and built for African markets.

While total startup funding rebounded to $3.6 billion in 2025, the ecosystem remains uneven. Capital is still concentrated in the Big Four markets Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa while growth-stage funding and large exits remain limited. Even so, the growing share of domestic capital points to a more resilient, maturing ecosystem that is increasingly financed, guided, and shaped from within the continent.

15/01/2026

According to the Ministry of Labor's latest Market Intelligence Report, 360,000 micro-enterprises, 90,000 small enterprises, and 23,000+ medium enterprises were affected in 2024.

The 80% decline was uniform across all sectors: trade, services, ICT, construction, and agriculture. The report identifies regulatory processes, economic conditions, and credit dynamics as contributing factors.

With fewer registered businesses, innovation pipelines, particularly in technology and services, face new challenges. Formal economic activity tracking and revenue data also shift accordingly.

So what does this truly mean for the future of Ethiopia's MSMEs?

01/01/2026

Hello 2026.

A fresh chapter shaped by intention, momentum, and meaningful collaboration. Here’s to steady growth, real impact, and moving forward together with clarity and purpose.

26/12/2025

Ethiopia has officially launched its National Digital Payments Strategy 2026–2030 alongside a new instant payment system, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital finance journey. The strategy sets a clear roadmap for interoperability, trust, and innovation across banks, fintechs, telecoms, and public institutions, while strengthening the infrastructure including the National Digital ID (Fayda), needed for fast, secure, and inclusive digital transactions.

With digital payments now processing trillions of birr annually, this shift is about more than technology. It is about expanding access, reducing friction, and building confidence in digital financial services for businesses, consumers, and underserved communities. As public and private players align around shared standards and systems, Ethiopia is laying the foundation for a more connected, efficient, and resilient digital economy.

The next phase will depend on collaboration, ex*****on, and continued innovation to turn strategy into real-world impact.

Address

Ethiopian Science Musium
Addis Ababa
1000

Telephone

+251966334456

Website

https://www.enkopasummit.com/

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