Global payments giant Visa Inc. has announced a major milestone for its Africa-focused accelerator programme, revealing it has now supported over 100 fintech startups across the continent as it opens applications for a new cohort.
The company disclosed that a total of 104 startups have benefited from the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator since its launch, highlighting its expanding role in driving innovation, deepening financial inclusion, and strengthening Africa’s digital payments ecosystem.
As part of the next phase, Visa is inviting African fintech innovators to apply for Cohort 6 of the programme, with the application deadline set for May 17, 2026.
The announcement follows the successful Demo Day for Cohort 5, held during GITEX Africa in Marrakech, where 18 high-growth startups from 10 African countries showcased their solutions to investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders.
Participants in the latest cohort operated across 28 markets, reflecting the diversity and rapid evolution of Africa’s fintech space. The three-month accelerator programme provides startups with mentorship, strategic support, commercial opportunities, and access to Visa’s global network to help scale their operations.
Collectively, startups that have passed through the accelerator represent a combined valuation of approximately $1.4 billion.
Ecosystem partnerships driving growth
Visa noted that beyond funding and mentorship, the accelerator is fostering strategic collaborations among startups and partners to unlock new growth opportunities.
In Morocco, fintech startup Zazu (Cohort 4) is collaborating with Chari (Cohort 1) to launch a neobank offering for small and medium-sized enterprises, leveraging infrastructure support enabled through Visa.
Similarly, Credable (Cohort 3), which provides digital credit and savings infrastructure across several African markets, is partnering with Onafriq to develop scalable credit solutions powered by Visa’s flexible credential technology.
Kredete (Cohort 3) is also expanding its stablecoin-linked card services across multiple African countries, with plans to enter markets in the Gulf region following early success.
Meanwhile, MoneyHash (Cohort 3) has secured a multi-year partnership to integrate Visa’s Cybersource platform, enhancing payment acceptance and commerce capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa.
Speaking on the milestone, Godfrey Sullivan, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Head of Product and Solutions for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, emphasised the importance of collaboration in Africa’s fintech growth story.
He said the accelerator’s success demonstrates how partnerships among founders, enablers, and industry players can drive scale, expand financial access, and shape the future of digital commerce across the continent.
Applications for Cohort 6 of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator are now open to eligible startups across Africa.
