Eight startups selected from more than 1,600 applications will receive investment access, mentorship, and market support to help strengthen intra-African trade infrastructure.
Afreximbank launched the inaugural cohort of its Accelerator Programme, bringing together eight startups from across Africa and the diaspora for a kick-off week in Cairo. The programme focused on ventures building digital infrastructure to support intra-African trade.
Eight Startups Selected from More Than 1,600 Applications
The inaugural cohort was selected from a pool of more than 1,600 applications. The eight startups are Fincart.io of Egypt; OnePort 365, operating in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya; Timon, active in 15 countries; Zowasel, operating in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania; Gebeya, described as Ethiopian and pan-African; Fluna, active in 10 countries; Capsa Technologies of Nigeria; and Daba Finance, focused on Francophone Africa. The participating companies work across sectors including cross-border payments, digital logistics, agri-export platforms, AI-powered enterprise solutions, supply chain finance and diaspora investment mobilization.
Funding, Market Access and Digital Integration
Under the programme, qualifying startups can receive investment of up to US$250,000, subject to standard investment criteria and due diligence. That support is paired with mentorship, market access and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating expansion across the continent. The programme also offers access to Afreximbank’s network of governments, financial institutions, corporates and trade partners, alongside regulatory and policy guidance. It includes integration pathways into the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System.
Leadership Frames Programme as Trade Infrastructure
Speaking during the kickoff meeting, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, said: “Today, we move from promise to execution, because we understand a fundamental truth: trade does not happen within the pages of policy documents. Trade happens through businesses. It happens through entrepreneurs. It happens through builders. What excites me the most about this cohort is not only who you are, but what you represent. You are building the digital rails that will define how Africa trades in the 21st century.”
He added: “This Accelerator Programme is part of a much broader ambition: an Africa where start-ups scale across the continent as a matter of course, where businesses trade seamlessly across borders, and where the continent operates as a truly integrated economic force. Afreximbank is proud to be a partner, an enabler and a committed stakeholder in the success of the next generation of African trade champions.”
Startups Bring Existing Reach Across African Markets
Collectively, the eight startups operate across more than 15 African countries. Reported traction includes Fluna facilitating more than US$50 million in trade across 10 countries, Capsa processing over NGN70 billion in supply chain finance, Timon supporting payments in 15 countries with plans to expand to 40, and Zowasel connecting more than 4,000 verified cooperatives and agribusinesses. Afreximbank said the programme is intended to help scale high-impact ventures and support the digital infrastructure underpinning implementation of the AfCFTA.
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