Visa, the world’s leading digital payments player, continues to make history with yet another success as it launched the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Program Cohort 4 Demo Day.
The event took place on December 1, 2025, and it was an occasion where entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners gathered to showcase 22 selected fintech entrepreneurs from 12 African nations.
The Demo Day culminated an intense three months of acceleration work aimed at improving, enhancing, and scaling some of the most exciting fintech offerings on the African continent.
Serving 31 markets, this set of startups exemplified the diversity, drive, and innovation that characterizes and defines Africa’s digital finance sector.
Innovation with Women at the Fore
One of the most important highlights about Cohort 4 is the presence of women leaders. The incubator shortlists eight women-founded startups, and 90 percent of all startups have women leaders, which marks a remarkable increase because women have traditionally been marginalized in an industry that has, at various times, complained about a gender imbalance.
Accelerator Program Reaches 86 Startups Valued at $1.3 Billion
Visa has so far backed a total of 86 African fintech startups with Cohort 4. The fintech startups have cumulative market value of 1.3 billion dollars, indicating more confidence and trust that the global community has in Africa’s fintech sector. A number of these fintech startups have entered new markets and made new investments.
Strategic Partnerships – The Key To Scaling
This year, there was an emphasis on cooperation with three large business partners: Bank of Africa, Onafriq, and First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. The three partners were vital as they offered insights and business networking, which enabled access and opportunities for pilot projects and investment.
The accelerator offered hands-on assistance with product, marketing, sales, and financials, as well as personalized guidance from veteran entrepreneurs and financial experts. Visa’s international network remains a springboard for African startups looking for scaling and global outreach.
Africa’s Fintech Industry Keeps on Booming
The fintech growth trajectory in Africa continues to be impressive. According to a report by McKinsey, fintech revenues in Africa willsee exponential growth from an estimated 10 billion dollars in 2023 to 47 billion dollars by 2028. The European Investment Bank highlights that there has been a marked increase in the number of fintech businesses that are operational. From 450 businesses in 2020, there were 1,263 businesses as at 2024.
Visa Reaffirms Commitment to Africa’s Digital Finance Future
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Chad Pollock, Visa’s Vice President and General Manager for East Africa, commended the startups for addressing genuine market needs and exploring new frontiers in digital innovation.
“Africa’s fintech sector remains on an unprecedented acceleration trajectory, with innovators and entrepreneurs working hard to address everyday problems and forge a new fintech paradigm for the future.
The startups included in Cohort 4 embody perfectly the dynamism and creativity at play in the fintech revolution unfolding on the African continent. We are honored to be associated with these innovators and look forward with anticipation at what they will achieve.”
As the fintech scene ramps up on the African continent, Visa’s program remains at the forefront, helping Africa’s innovators have an impact on a global level and developing a new generation that will change digital payments and commerce as they are known today.