Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has successfully concluded the Demo Day for the second cohort of its Africa Fintech Accelerator programme in Cape Town, South Africa.
The event, which was disclosed in a statement on Saturday, provided a platform for 23 innovative fintech startups to showcase their solutions to an audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, and business partners.
The Demo Day marked the culmination of a 12-week intensive programme, which included mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
Startups from three African regions—West Africa, North Africa, and East & South Africa—pitched their solutions to key players in the fintech ecosystem.
The payment giant said the programme, launched in 2023, was designed to support startups from Seed to Series A stages, offering startups one-on-one mentorship, training, and exclusive funding opportunities.
The firm said that aligned with its commitment to invest $1bn in Africa by 2027, aiming to support the continent’s digital transformation.
“To date, the programme has accelerated 45 startups across Africa, providing them with the tools and resources needed to scale their innovations and drive financial inclusion.
“The third cohort of the program commenced on November 5th in Abidjan, welcoming 19 next-gen digital pan-African enablers. These startups operate across 21 African countries with 85 per cent of them featuring female leadership, rising from 43 per cent in the inaugural edition and 65 per cent in the second edition. A trend that Visa is committed to accelerating,” it stated.
The Senior Vice President and Head of Visa Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa, Aida Diara, said, “I am incredibly impressed by the innovative solutions presented by the startups.
“Their creative approaches to solving financial challenges are truly inspiring. We are immensely proud to support these fintech pioneers, who are driving digital transformation and showcasing remarkable potential for growth and scalability.
“At Visa, we are committed to providing these visionary entrepreneurs with the platform and resources they need to succeed and make a significant impact,” he added.
