Who is eligible to apply for the Visa Africa Accelerator?

Seed to Series A startups operating in Africa and post-MVP are encouraged to apply.

What is the selection process like?

Our process involves two rounds: Round 1: Applications are reviewed for program alignment, traction, team strength, and synergies with Visa. Round 2: Shortlisted startups participate in virtual interviews, with finalists notified ahead of kickoff.

Will the program be run in English?

Yes, the program will primarily be conducted in English. Language support may be available through our local teams if needed. However, interviews will be exclusively in English.

How is this different from the Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI)?

Unlike VEI, which is a global competition, the Visa Africa Accelerator is an intensive 3-month program. It involves tailored mentorship, training, and interactive sessions requiring active engagement throughout.

What’s the duration and format of the program?

The program runs for 3 months in a hybrid format, including: Onboarding week 10 virtual focus weeks Investor week In-person Demo Day Additional in-person events like meetups may also be organized.

Move your fintech forward with the Visa Accelerator Program

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Visa Accelerator Program

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Benefits

Knowledge & expertise

Learn what it takes to win with a program that covers product design, marketing, finance, sales, and more. Get expert advice to grow faster and smarter.

Mentorship

1:1 sessions with founders and industry experts who’ve been in your shoes. Real advice. Real impact.

Visa training

Level up with Visa’s FinTech training including access to the developer portal, and solution expertise to help you build smarter with tools and insights that matter.

Funding

Pitch your vision. Get noticed. Demo Day opens doors to potential investments from Visa, Plug and Play, and leading VCs.

Partnerships

Collaborate with industry giants and game-changers. Build connections that actually move the needle.

Product perks

Gain access to a wide selection of product perks and discounts from over 100 vendors for a combined offer value of over ~$200,000 such as mentorship and fintech-specific training modules.

Your future is calling. Let’s build it together.

Who should apply

Have a minimum viable product (MVP) or market-ready solution? This Program is built for you.

Stage

Startups from Seed to Series A with at least an MVP are welcome to apply.

Solution

Teams developing innovative solutions aligned with our program themes are the perfect fit.

Traction

If your product has been market-tested and is gaining traction, you're in the right place.

Geography

Startups with existing operations in Africa or a strong commitment to expand into African markets are highly encouraged to join.

Think you have what it takes? Apply now and be part of the future of FinTech innovation.

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The opportunity

We’re on the hunt for game-changing startups building the future of FinTech. If you’re solving big problems in any of these spaces, let’s talk.

Reimagine how money moves—digitize payments and create new opportunities.

Cross-border remittances and funds disbursements. B2B finance management (payables, receivables, procurement). Social commerce and the creator economy. Government payouts and collections. Open banking and account-to-account payments. Mobile money flows and interoperability.

Big ideas. Bold solutions. Ready to make a dent in the FinTech world?

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Events

Meet the current cohort

Meet our alumni

Meet our partners

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FAQ

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

: Seed to Series A startups operating in Africa and post-MVP are encouraged to apply.
: Our process involves two rounds:

Round 1: Applications are reviewed for program alignment, traction, team strength, and synergies with Visa.

Round 2: Shortlisted startups participate in virtual interviews, with finalists notified ahead of kickoff.
: Yes, the program will primarily be conducted in English. Language support may be available through our local teams if needed. However, interviews will be exclusively in English.
: Unlike VEI, which is a global competition, the Visa Africa Accelerator is an intensive 3-month program. It involves tailored mentorship, training, and interactive sessions requiring active engagement throughout.
: The program runs for 3 months in a hybrid format, including:

Onboarding week

10 virtual focus weeks

Investor week

In-person Demo Day

Additional in-person events like meetups may also be organized.

: No, since the program is non-residential and doesn’t require daily attendance, coworking spaces are not included.
: Start-ups successfully completing the program could be considered for an investment by either Visa or Plug and Play. Any investment considerations will be made at the end of the program (on or around Demo Day) and we expect that up to 50% of the cohort could receive an investment from either Visa or Plug and Play. In addition, the Demo Day will be attended by regional and global Venture Capital investors that could be interested in providing further funding as well.
: No fees! Participation in all program activities is entirely free of charge. Startups are responsible for covering cost of visas, flights, and other expenses.
: Yes, all application details are confidential and shared only with parties involved in the selection process.
: Visa will cover flights and accommodation for one founder from each participating startup to attend the Demo Day in person.
: Startups are not allowed to be enrolled in another accelerator during the program.
: Check here for the full terms and conditions.
: Reach us at [email protected].

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