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Africa's Founders Face Burnout Crisis
9 Jan
Summary
- African startup founders report high levels of anxiety and stress.
- Fundraising, inflation, and economic instability are key stressors.
- A recent study highlights the negative mental health impact of startups.

A burgeoning startup boom across Africa is casting a shadow over the mental well-being of its entrepreneurs. Recent findings indicate that a significant portion of founders are contending with intense anxiety, stress, and exhaustion.
The study detailed that 60% of founders experience anxiety, 58% high stress, and 52% exhaustion, with 20% reporting depression. These challenges are largely attributed to the demanding nature of fundraising, coupled with the persistent pressures of inflation and broader economic instability.
Discussions with founders like Jihan Abass of Lami Insurance Technology and Mawano Kambeu of Dot Com Zambia shed light on the pervasive issue of burnout. Navigating the complexities of Africa's startup landscape requires robust mental health support for its resilient entrepreneurs.




