Key Focus Areas
Startups applying to the program should be working on solutions that align with one or more of the following innovation themes:
- Embedded Finance
- New Payment Flows
- SME and Merchant Empowerment
- Sustainable and Inclusive Finance
- Payment Infrastructure Enablement
The Visa Accelerator Program Africa 2025 – Cohort 5 is tailored for seed to Series A fintech startups that are building the future of commerce, payments, and financial inclusion in Africa. Selected participants will receive world-class mentorship, training, and access to tools and investment opportunities that accelerate their growth across the continent.
To qualify for the program, applicants must:
- Be based in Africa or committed to expanding into African markets.
- Have a minimum viable product (MVP) or deployed product in the market.
- Show traction (customer base, pilot partners, or early revenues).
- Be led by founders ready to commit to the program and its growth goals.
Benefits of the Program
Selected startups for the Visa Accelerator Program Africa 2025 will gain:
- Expert Mentorship: Tailored guidance from Visa and industry leaders.
- Training & Development: Targeted workshops on product, design, marketing, sales, and funding strategies.
- Technical Resources: Access to Visa’s developer tools and APIs.
- Over $200,000 in Perks: Credits from top cloud and tech vendors (e.g., AWS).
- Investment Opportunities: Exposure to Plug and Play, Visa, and top-tier VCs during Demo Day.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration opportunities with global fintech and payments players.
