NAIROBI,Kenya— Visa has opened applications for the fifth cohort of its Africa Fintech Accelerator program, a 12-week initiative aimed at empowering startups that are transforming the continent’s financial ecosystem.
The application window closes on August 15, 2025, and is open to Africa-based fintechs with at least a minimum viable product or market-ready solution.
The program, which combines training, mentorship, and networking, is designed to help startups scale their solutions across the continent.
Since launching in 2023, the Accelerator has supported 64 fintechs across 17 countries, boosting their revenue by more than $3 million (Sh 435 million) during training and helping alumni secure over $55 million (Sh7.9 billion) in post-program funding.
Visa also announced the 22 startups selected for its fourth cohort.
These companies, drawn from 12 African countries, are tackling critical gaps in digital payments, business financing, cross-border transactions, social commerce, and climate resilience.
Their solutions span diverse sectors including SMB digitization, B2B payments, AI-powered tools, lending, payroll, and climate insurance.
“The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator continues to be a platform for unlocking innovation that drives inclusion across the financial landscape,” said Chad Pollock, General Manager and VP, Visa East Africa.
“As digital transformation accelerates across the continent, we are proud to support the next wave of African fintechs creating real-world impact.”
Among the startups in the fourth cohort are Kenya’s Twiva, a social commerce platform that leverages influencers for product reselling; Zimbabwe’s ChatCash, which integrates AI-powered payments into messaging apps; and Egypt’s MNZL, a platform providing asset-backed consumer financing.
The program will culminate in an in-person Demo Day where participants will pitch their innovations to investors, venture capitalists, and key ecosystem stakeholders.
This initiative is part of Visa’s broader pledge to invest $1 billion (sh145 billion) in Africa’s digital economy by 2027, supporting the development of a robust, inclusive fintech infrastructure.
From simplifying cross-border payments to offering AI-driven financial tools, this year’s cohort is positioned to deliver meaningful change for consumers and businesses alike across Africa.
