Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has officially announced the opening of applications for Cohort 6 of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator

2026, inviting fintech innovators from across Africa to apply before the deadline of May 17, 2026.

The announcement follows the successful completion of Cohort 5, showcased during GITEX Africa in Marrakech, where 18 high-growth fintech startups

from 10 African countries were featured, highlighting the rapid evolution of the continent’s fintech landscape.

Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026 Surpasses 100 Startups Supported

The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026 continues to demonstrate significant impact across the African fintech ecosystem.

Since its inception, the program has supported 104 startups across five cohorts, representing a combined valuation of approximately $1.4 billion.

Through a structured three-month acceleration program, participating startups benefit from tailored mentorship, strategic advisory,

commercial engagement opportunities, and access to Visa’s global network. These resources are designed to help founders scale operations,

strengthen product offerings, and unlock new growth opportunities.

Cohort 5 alone reflected strong geographic and operational diversity, with startups operating across 28 markets and delivering innovative solutions

addressing a broad spectrum of financial services and commerce needs.

Strengthening Ecosystem Collaboration Across Africa

A key pillar of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026 is fostering collaboration among startups, ecosystem enablers, and strategic partners.

This collaborative approach continues to generate tangible partnerships across the continent.

In Morocco, Zazu (Cohort 4) is collaborating with Chari (Cohort 1) to support the launch of a neobank offering for small and medium-sized enterprises

(SMEs), leveraging Chari’s market issuance capabilities previously enabled through Visa.

Meanwhile, Credable (Cohort 3) has partnered with Onafriq to develop digital credit solutions powered by Visa Flexible Credential.

This initiative aims to expand access to credit through scalable card-based solutions in emerging markets.

Expanding Innovation in Digital Payments and Financial Services

Innovation remains central to the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026, as demonstrated by the continued growth of participating startups.

Kredete (Cohort 3) is advancing stablecoin-linked card payment solutions and has already launched its services in multiple African markets. Building on

early success, the company is planning expansion into the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, alongside further African market

growth.

Additionally, MoneyHash (Cohort 3) has signed a multi-year agreement to integrate Visa’s Cybersource platform, enhancing payment acceptance

capabilities and enabling broader digital commerce across the Middle East and North Africa region.

Executive Statement on Africa’s Fintech Growth

According to Godfrey Sullivan, Senior Vice President and Head of Product and Solutions for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and

Africa at Visa, the strength of Africa’s fintech ecosystem lies in its collaborative spirit.

He emphasized that surpassing 100 supported startups marks a significant milestone for the program, demonstrating how partnerships

between founders, enablers, and industry leaders can accelerate growth, expand financial inclusion, and shape the future of digital commerce

across the continent.

Applications Open for Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026 Cohort 6

Visa is inviting all eligible fintech innovators across Africa to apply for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator 2026 and benefit from a platform

designed to accelerate business growth, foster innovation, and connect startups with global opportunities.

Applications are open until May 17, 2026.

Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion transactions annually between consumers, merchants, financial

institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories.

The company’s mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses,

and economies to thrive while promoting inclusive access to financial systems globally.