TL;DR
- Visa’s 4th Africa Fintech Accelerator supports startups with mentorship, technology, and funding, building on its US$1 billion financial inclusion pledge for Africa by 2027.
- Applications are open until March 15, 2025, with the three-month program running from October to December 2025.
- Targets African-based or expansion-ready startups at the seed to Series A stage with innovative fintech solutions and proven market traction.
- 64 startups have been accelerated since 2023, including four from the first cohort that secured strategic funding from Visa.
Visa has opened applications for the fourth edition of its Africa Fintech Accelerator.
This program offers startups access to tools, industry connections, and mentorship to help scale their innovative solutions.
Program Overview
Launched in 2023, the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator aligns with Visa’s commitment to invest US$1 billion in financial inclusion in Africa by 2027.
To date, the accelerator has supported 64 startups across three cohorts, resulting in 15 active partnerships.
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Notably, four startups from the first cohort secured strategic funding from Visa.
Application Details
The current application window is open until March 15, 2025. Startups can apply through the official Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator website.
Program Benefits
Selected startups will participate in a three-month initiative designed to provide:
- Mentorship: Guidance from industry experts to refine business strategies.
- Technological Resources: Access to Visa’s technology to enhance product offerings.
- Funding Opportunities: Potential for strategic investments to fuel growth.
Eligibility Criteria
The program targets startups that:
- Are at the seed to Series A stage with a minimum viable product.
- Offer solutions addressing key themes such as unlocking new payment flows, embedded finance, empowering merchants and SMEs, payment infrastructure enablers, the future of finance, and sustainable and inclusive finance.
- Have demonstrated market traction.
- Operate within Africa or have plans to expand into the continent.
Previous Cohort Success
In the second cohort, Visa welcomed 22 fintech startups from across Africa, with 65% featuring female leadership.
These startups benefited from mentorship, personalized training, and networking opportunities.
Conclusion
The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator continues to play a significant role in fostering innovation and financial inclusion across the continent.
Startups looking to scale their solutions in the fintech space are encouraged to apply before the March 15, 2025 deadline.
