Financial Times Opened 2027 Africa Growth Rankings
African businesses can now apply to be listed as one of the continent's fastest-growing companies for 2027.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Corporate Finance
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The Financial Times has opened applications for its sixth annual ranking of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. Independent businesses based in Africa must submit revenue data spanning 2022 to 2025 to be considered for the upcoming report.
Why it matters
The ranking serves as a benchmark for regional performance, tracking firms that have successfully scaled revenue in competitive markets. Participation provides independent operators with public validation of their growth strategy between 2022 and 2025.
Applicants must demonstrate growth from a 2022 baseline of $100,000 to at least $1.5 million by 2025. This threshold applies to independent businesses across the African continent.
The players
Financial Times
A global business-focused media organization known for its economic reporting and annual corporate performance rankings.
Thndr
An Egypt-based financial technology company that topped the previous list of Africa's fastest-growing firms.
Sabi
A Nigerian supply chain and distribution startup that placed second on the previous annual ranking.
The details
To qualify, companies must be headquartered in an African nation and operate independently. Candidates submit financial data via an online portal or form, which must be validated by a signed executive statement. The publication aims to highlight the most successful expansion efforts observed across the region during the designated three-year period.
Timeline
2022 served as the base year for revenue eligibility.
2025 revenue figures are used for the growth calculation.
The deadline for all submission entries is January 29, 2027.
The final list is scheduled for publication in May 2027.
Market Landscape
The 2027 ranking follows the pattern set by the Financial Times' previous annual reports on African corporate growth. It continues the trend of identifying independent scaling success stories in the region, such as those of prior leaders Thndr and Sabi.
Operators should review their 2022 and 2025 audited revenue figures to determine eligibility for the list. Those planning to apply must ensure they have executive sign-off prepared for the verification process.
The takeaway
The ranking tracks high-growth independent firms across Africa, offering a marker for regional performance. Businesses aiming to qualify should verify their revenue growth between 2022 and 2025 to ensure they meet the minimum $1.5 million threshold before the January 29, 2027 deadline.
What happens next
The submission deadline for entries is January 29, 2027, with the official list scheduled for publication in May 2027.
Further reading
For more on industry benchmarks and performance tracking, see our Corporate Finance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Times News.
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