Visa has officially opened applications for Cohort 5 of its Africa Fintech Accelerator, the continent’s flagship fintech acceleration programme. This 12-week hybrid initiative supports early-stage fintech startups across Africa with an MVP or market-ready product, and applications close on 15 August 2025.
Eligibility
Startups from Seed to Series A, operating in Africa or planning expansion on the continent, are encouraged to apply. Ideal fintech solutions include payments, embedded finance, SME tools, payment infrastructure, sustainable finance, AI-driven models, and financial services innovation.
What Startups Receive
Selected startups will benefit from:
- Mentorship from Visa leaders and fintech experts
- Visa training and access to the Visa Developer Portal
- Networking opportunities and pitch exposure at an in-person Demo Day
- Potential investment from Visa or Plug and Play (~50% may receive offers)
- Over US $200,000 in partner credits and service perks from more than 100 vendors
The programme runs from January 12 to April 3, 2026, starting with onboarding, followed by virtual learning weeks and concluding with Investor Week and Demo Day.
Track Record: Impact of Earlier Cohorts
Since its launch in June 2023, the programme has supported 64 startups from 17 countries across three completed cohorts. Alumni collectively added over US $3 million in revenue during the programme and raised more than US $55 million thereafter. The combined estimated portfolio value is around US $1.1 billion. Remarkably, 62% of these startups feature women in leadership roles.
Visa also revealed the 22 startups chosen for Cohort 4, representing 12 countries. Their solutions span SMB digitisation, lending, cross-border payments, payroll, AI payments, neo‑banking, climate insurance, and social commerce. Participating firms include PressPayNg, Zazu, BigDot.ai, Twiva, Hsabati, among others.
Why This Accelerator Is Key for Africa’s Fintech Growth
Visa’s accelerator is part of its US$1 billion Africa commitment to 2027, aiming to deepen digital financial inclusion and build robust fintech ecosystems. As Africa’s fintech economy grows(expected to reach US$150–230 billion by 2025), programmes like these become vital to scaling startups, driving innovation, and improving access to financial services.
In Summary
Applications for Cohort 5 are now open until 15 August 2025. The programme offers mentorship, training, funding opportunities, and global exposure. It remains a powerful platform for fintech startups seeking to scale across Africa.
