Driving Digital Commerce Across Africa: Visa Opens Applications for Next Generation of Fintech Innovators

As Africa’s fintech sector continues its remarkable growth trajectory, Visa is seeking the next wave of transformative startups to join its prestigious Accelerator program. Building on a track record of success that now includes over $1.4 billion in combined valuations across 104 supported companies, applications are open through May 17, 2026.

The announcement follows a vibrant Demo Day showcasing Cohort 5’s achievements at GITEX Africa in Marrakech. These 18 high-growth startups from 10 countries demonstrated solutions addressing diverse commerce and financial needs across 28 African markets—highlighting the sector’s dynamism and inclusivity.

From Startup to Scale: The Visa Advantage

The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator provides an intensive three-month program designed to propel early-stage companies toward sustainable growth. Participants gain:

• Targeted mentorship from industry experts
• Strategic guidance on market expansion and product development
• Commercial engagement opportunities with Visa’s extensive network
• Access to cutting-edge technology and resources

Ecosystem Collaboration Creates New Opportunities

Beyond initial acceleration, the program fosters long-term partnerships that extend across borders:

• Zazu (Cohort 4) & Chari (Cohort 1) are collaborating in Morocco on a new SME neobank offering
• Credable (Cohort 3), now live in five countries, is partnering with Onafriq to develop digital credit solutions
• Kredete (Cohort 3) launched a stablecoin-linked card and is expanding into the GCC region
• MoneyHash (Cohort 3) integrated Visa’s Cybersource platform for broader merchant enablement

“What makes Africa’s fintech story so compelling is the growing culture of partnership,” said Godfrey Sullivan, head of product and solutions at Visa CEMEA. “We’re seeing firsthand how collaboration unlocks new levels of scale, expands financial access, and shapes digital commerce across the continent.”

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