Eight African Startups Selected for Afreximbank’s Inaugural Accelerator Cohort
The Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially launched the first cohort of its Afreximbank Accelerator Programme, bringing together eight high-potential startups from across Africa and the diaspora for an intensive kick-off week in Cairo from 23–27 March 2026.
Selected from more than 1,600 applications, the startups represent some of the continent’s most promising ventures building digital infrastructure to support intra-African trade. The selected companies operate in key sectors such as cross-border payments, digital logistics, agri-export platforms, supply chain finance, AI-powered enterprise solutions, and diaspora investment platforms.
The cohort includes Fincart.io (Egypt), OnePort 365 (Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya), Timon (active in 15 countries), Zowasel (Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania), Gebeya (Ethiopia and pan-African), Fluna (active in 10 countries), Capsa Technologies (Nigeria), and Daba Finance (Francophone Africa).
Through the programme, Afreximbank will provide qualifying startups with investment of up to US$250,000, subject to due diligence, along with mentorship, market access opportunities, and strategic partnerships designed to help them scale across the continent.
The kick-off week at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo features high-level engagements with the Bank’s leadership, industry experts, and ecosystem partners. The event will conclude with a networking session at the Grand Egyptian Museum, symbolising the link between Africa’s rich heritage and its rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
Speaking during the launch, Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President of Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, said the programme reflects the Bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs building the digital infrastructure that will shape how Africa trades in the future.
The Accelerator Programme also offers startups direct access to Afreximbank’s pan-African network of governments, financial institutions, and trade partners, as well as integration opportunities into the Bank’s digital platforms, including the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS).
The initiative highlights Afreximbank’s growing role in supporting Africa’s innovation and trade ecosystem. By helping startups scale across multiple markets, the programme aims to strengthen intra-African trade and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
