Twenty fintech startups chosen for the 4th Visa Africa Accelerator Program
The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator, a 12-week intensive program launched in 2023, is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort. This initiative, aimed at fast-tracking the growth and impact of tech startups, has already accelerated 64 startups and established almost 20 active partnerships.
To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa, have a minimum viable product (MVP) or a market-ready solution, and be at a Seed to Series A stage with early traction. Solutions should align with Visa's financial themes such as payments, embedded finance, SME support, sustainable finance, and payment infrastructure.
Interested startups can apply online by August 15, 2023. Selected startups will participate in a program that offers mentorship from industry experts, Visa training, access to product perks worth over $200,000, knowledge-building sessions, and pitch & funding opportunities culminating in an in-person Demo Day.
Participants will receive tailored mentorship, Visa-led fintech training, practical advice from experienced founders, and opportunities to connect with investors including Visa and other venture capitalists. Notably, four startups that participated in the first program in 2023 recently secured strategic funding from Visa.
The fifth cohort includes startups from Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Mauritius, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Botswana, Ivory Coast, and South Africa. Some notable participants include BigDot.ai from Zimbabwe, Hsabati and Woliz from Morocco, and Lemonade Payments, Muda, Sevi, ShopOkoa, and Twiva from Kenya.
This program is part of Visa's commitment to financial inclusion in Africa. The company has pledged to invest US$1 billion in financial inclusion in Africa by 2027. The fourth edition of the virtual accelerator program, which will conclude with an in-person demo day, has already selected 22 ventures. Visa has also invested in two ventures from the third program.
As the deadline for applications for the fifth cohort approaches, African startups with innovative fintech solutions are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to grow their businesses and make a significant impact in the African financial landscape.
Startups based in Africa, developing innovative fintech solutions in areas such as payments, embedded finance, SME support, sustainable finance, and payment infrastructure, are invited to apply for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator's fifth cohort. Selected startups will receive mentorship from industry experts, training from Visa, access to valuable resources, and potential funding opportunities to grow their business and impact the African financial landscape.
