Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator program showcased emerging startups’ innovations from 18 African countries during its first demo day in Nairobi on February 13th. Launched in June 2023, the program aims to support Africa’s startup community by providing expertise, connections, technology, and investment funding.
The inaugural cohort, selected from over 1,000 applicants, presented solutions in diverse fintech subsectors like merchant payments, lending infrastructure, and B2B marketplaces, attracting key ecosystem players and investors.
Now accepting applications for its second cohort, the program targets Seed to Series A startups operating in Africa. Visa’s commitment to invest $1 billion in Africa by 2027 underscores its mission to bolster the continent’s payment ecosystem through innovation and technology.
Otto Williams, Senior Vice President at Visa CEMEA, emphasized the accelerator’s role in providing startups with mentorship, growth opportunities, and access to a broader network of partners and investors. Applications for the second cohort are open until February 29th, offering entrepreneurs a chance to gain valuable industry connections and potential investment funding to fuel their growth.
