Maasai launches to help African startups navigate exits

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The African startup ecosystem needs to explore strategic exits as a vital component of business sustainability. With limited exit pathways, founders find themselves with few options when growth plateaus, funding becomes scarce, or they need to pivot their business model. To address this, Maasai Technologies has launched its M&A platform designed to connect African startups with buyers and streamline the acquisition process.

The platform arrives at an important time in the evolution of Africa’s startup ecosystem. According to The African Tech Startups Funding Report, while the overall number of M&A deals fell by 20% in 2024 compared to the previous year, strategic acquisitions rose significantly, representing 50% of all deals in 2024 compared to just 6.7% in 2023. This trend signals a growing recognition of the importance of strategic exits and market consolidation fostered by the buying and selling of startups in Africa.

“The conversation within the African tech ecosystem has focused almost exclusively on fundraising and growth, with exit planning treated as an afterthought,” said Segun Cole, co-founder of Maasai Technologies, at a product demo where he talked about the future of exits in Africa. “A lot of founders don’t know when or how to exit their business. The mantra is ‘If it happens, it happens.’ But having a clear exit strategy is just good business practice, regardless of market conditions.”

Maasai’s all-in-one platform offers tools for buyers, sellers, and portfolio managers including valuation assistance, due diligence support, and a verified marketplace to buy and sell startups. The company aims to address key challenges African founders face during acquisitions, including proper documentation, accurate valuation, and finding the right buyers who understand the unique potential of their businesses.

“Maasai’s intelligence and M&A CRM features, will enable portfolio managers combine access to M&A deal flow with centralized exits optimization tools, and just-in-time risk management,” explained Izin Akioya, co-founder of Maasai Technologies. “By consolidating the M&A opportunity across Africa, we are expanding the market and setting the stage for secondary trades on the continent,” she added.

Planning for successful exits has become even more essential amid shifting dynamics in Africa’s investment landscape. The number of active investors (individual and institutional) fell by 34.3% in 2024 to 346, down from 527 in 2023. Meanwhile, Startup Graveyard found that among African startups that shut down in 2024, 45% did so due to lack of funding, highlighting the importance of having established platforms to sell startup businesses in Africa.

“Exit planning shouldn’t start when you’re desperate to sell or in distress,” added Cole. “You’ll be approaching your exit from a disadvantaged position. Our platform helps normalize exit planning as part of responsible business stewardship and makes the process accessible to founders across the continent.”

Maasai’s platform offers specialized tools for different stages of the exit journey, from initial valuation to final transaction. For sellers, the platform provides confidential listing capabilities and buyer verification. Buyers benefit from due diligence support portfolio management tools and a marketplace to buy start up companies.

By facilitating strategic exits and acquisitions, Maasai contributes to a more mature ecosystem where value can flow efficiently between companies at different stages. This is essential for a self-sustaining innovation environment where talent, technology, and capital are recycled and benefit all stakeholders.