Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme with Eight High-Impact African Startups

$250,000 investment support targets digital infrastructure development for continental trade transformation

African Export-Import Bank has officially launched the inaugural 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 March 23-27, 2026. The program represents a strategic initiative to support digital infrastructure development that will facilitate intra-African trade expansion.

Competitive selection process identifies continental innovation leaders

Selected from a highly competitive pool of over 1,600 applications, the cohort represents some of the most promising ventures building digital infrastructure for intra-African trade across the continent. These startups operate across critical sectors including cross-border payments, digital logistics, agri-export platforms, AI-powered enterprise solutions, supply chain finance, and diaspora investment mobilization.

The selected startups include Fincart.io of Egypt; OnePort 365, operating in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya; Timon, a pan-African entity active in 15 countries; Zowasel, operating in Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania; Gebeya from Ethiopia with pan-African reach; Fluna, active across 10 countries; Capsa Technologies of Nigeria; and Daba Finance covering Francophone Africa.

Comprehensive support framework combines investment with strategic access

Under the program conceptualized, designed, and operated by Afreximbank, qualifying startups will receive investment support of up to $250,000, subject to standard investment criteria and due diligence. This financial support is complemented by mentorship, market access opportunities, and strategic partnerships designed to accelerate expansion across Africa.

The Cairo kick-off week, commencing at Afreximbank’s headquarters on March 24, featured high-level engagements with Bank leadership, industry experts, mentors, and ecosystem partners. The week culminated in an exclusive social mixer at the Grand Egyptian Museum, symbolically linking Africa’s rich heritage with its rapidly evolving innovation future.

Digital infrastructure drives 21st century African trade

Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President of Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, emphasized the program’s strategic significance during the kickoff meeting. “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,” he stated.

“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,” Elmaayergi added, connecting startup innovation to continental trade transformation objectives.

Strategic integration with continental trade ecosystem

The Accelerator Programme offers differentiated value by providing direct access to Afreximbank’s pan-African network of governments, financial institutions, corporates, and trade partners. Additional benefits include market access and deal facilitation opportunities across key African trade corridors, regulatory and policy guidance leveraging Bank relationships with central banks and regulators, and integration pathways into the Bank’s digital trade ecosystem.

This includes connection opportunities with the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System, positioning Afreximbank as a strategic enabler of cross-border trade and continental scale operations.

Cohort demonstrates significant continental traction

The eight startups collectively operate across more than 15 African countries, spanning key trade corridors in West, East, North, and Southern Africa. Their existing traction highlights the scale and potential of African innovation: Fluna has facilitated more than $50 million in trade across 10 countries, Capsa has processed over NGN70 billion in supply chain finance, OnePort 365 connects Nigeria-Ghana-Kenya trade corridors, Timon supports payments in 15 countries with expansion plans to 40 countries, and Zowasel has connected more than 4,000 verified cooperatives and agribusinesses.

AfCFTA implementation receives digital infrastructure support

The program underscores Afreximbank’s growing role as a catalyst for Africa’s trade and innovation ecosystem while providing structured platforms to identify and scale high-impact ventures. Through this initiative, the Bank actively enables development of digital infrastructure underpinning African Continental Free Trade Area agreement implementation.

Together, these ventures are building digital infrastructure for intra-African trade, accelerating AfCFTA implementation while unlocking new pathways for economic integration across the continent and the wider Global Africa network. The program positions Afreximbank at the forefront of efforts driving intra-African trade, market integration, and economic transformation across Africa.