Startups in Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions raised a total of $10.23 million in disclosed funding between 2023 and 2025, marking a 29.6% increase from the previous $7.89 million period. The growth signals steady investor interest in the region’s emerging digital economy.
The data, contained in the 2025 South-South & South-East Startup Ecosystem and State of Digital Jobs Report by StartupSouth, shows that startup activity also expanded significantly, with company numbers rising by 54.3% to 304 across 11 states. The ecosystem further includes 98 enterprise support organisations, 234 digital talents, and 29 active employers.
However, funding remains highly concentrated, with just six startups accounting for 86.6% of total capital raised, while the median funding stands at only $500. The report also notes a shift in regional dynamics, with the South-East overtaking the South-South in startup share, as Port Harcourt remains the largest hub and Enugu leads in disclosed funding.
