Visa has announced that its Africa Fintech Accelerator has now backed more than 100 startups, representing a combined valuation of $1.4 billion.
The announcement came during the Cohort 5 Demo Day at GITEX Africa, where 18 fintechs from 10 different African countries took center stage. The event served as a graduation ceremony for the latest innovators and a testament to Visa's deepening roots in the African tech landscape.
Since its inception, the accelerator has provided a launchpad for 104 startups across five clusters. By providing a mix of tailored mentorship, strategic guidance and direct access to Visa's global network, the program has become a key catalyst for scale.
The 18 startups in the most recent cohort operate in 28 markets, highlighting the shift from local solutions to pan-African platforms. These founders are tackling diverse challenges ranging from increasing business commerce to expanding financial inclusion in underserved areas.
“What makes Africa’s fintech story so powerful is the growing spirit of partnership between founders, backers and industry leaders,” said Godfrey Sullivan, senior vice president and head of product and solutions, CEMEA at Visa. “As we surpass 100 startups supported, we are seeing firsthand how collaboration can help drive scale and shape the future of digital commerce.”
One of the most important outcomes of the program is the “multiplier effect” – where alumni and partners collaborate to create new financial infrastructure. Several key partnerships were highlighted during the event:
- SME Neobanking in Morocco: Zazu (Group 4) is partnering with Chari (Group 1) to launch a neobank for small businesses, using the issuance capabilities that Visa previously helped Chari develop.
- Expanding digital credit: Credable (Cohort 3) is teaming up with Onafric to deploy digital credit and savings solutions. am using visa flexible credentialTheir goal is to make credit more accessible through the card rail in emerging markets.
- Stablecoin Evolution: Creditate (Cohort 3) is making waves with stablecoin-linked card payments. Currently in 11 markets including Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco, the company is now eyeing expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Merchant Empowerment: MoneyHash (Cohort 3) has signed a multi-year deal to integrate Visa's CyberSource platform, streamlining payment acceptance for merchants in the MENA region.
Fintech founders across Africa are invited to apply for Cohort 6. The last date of application is May 17, 2026 and you can apply Here.