Moove, a Lagos-founded mobility fintech company, has officially joined the ranks of unicorn startups after closing a $250 million Series C funding round, bringing its valuation to $2.1 billion. This marks the largest single funding round for an African startup in 2026, underscoring the growing investor confidence in the continent's tech landscape beyond traditional fintech.

The fresh capital is earmarked for a strategic expansion into autonomous vehicle infrastructure. Moove plans to develop and manage fleet ownership and robotics-first depot facilities, which will be essential for charging, servicing, maintaining, and coordinating self-driving vehicles for continuous operation. This move positions Moove at the forefront of the evolving mobility sector, anticipating the widespread adoption of autonomous technologies.

Founded in 2020 by Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove initially focused on providing revenue-based vehicle financing to mobility entrepreneurs. The company has rapidly scaled its operations, now managing approximately 42,000 vehicles across 29 cities in 13 countries and employing around 3,300 people globally. Its infrastructure platform is designed to support both current ride-hailing fleets and future autonomous transportation systems.

The Series C round was led by Mubadala Investment Company, Woven Capital (Toyota's growth fund), and Ion Pacific, with new investors including BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management, and The Raptor Group. Existing backers such as BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton, Uber, and Endeavor Catalyst also increased their participation. This diverse investor base reflects the broad interest in Moove's vision for scaling mobility infrastructure globally.

Moove's pivot towards autonomous vehicle infrastructure highlights a broader industry trend where foundational support systems are becoming as critical as the autonomous technology itself. As the race for self-driving cars intensifies, companies that can provide the necessary operational backbone—from maintenance to energy management—will play a pivotal role in enabling large-scale deployment and commercial viability.