Afreximbank Launches Accelerator Programme to Propel Africa’s Digital Trade
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has launched its inaugural Afreximbank Accelerator Programme, aimed at enhancing Africa’s digital trade ecosystem. This program brings together eight promising startups from Africa and its diaspora for an intensive week of activities from March 23-27, 2026, held in Cairo, Egypt.
Emerging Startups Selected for the Programme
These startups were chosen from a competitive pool of over 1,600 applicants. The cohort showcases some of the most innovative ventures focused on developing digital infrastructure for intra-African trade. The selected startups span several key sectors, including:
- Cross-border payments
- Digital logistics
- Agri-export platforms
- AI-powered enterprise solutions
- Supply chain finance
- Mobilization of diaspora investments
The cohort includes:
- Fincart.io (Egypt)
- OnePort 365 (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya)
- Timon (Active in 15 African countries)
- Zowasel (Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania)
- Gebeya (Ethiopia and pan-African)
- Fluna (Active in 10 countries)
- Capsa Technologies (Nigeria)
- Daba Finance (Francophone Africa)
Accelerating Growth Through Financial Support
The programme supports qualifying startups with investments of up to US$250,000, contingent upon standard criteria and due diligence. In addition to funding, these startups will benefit from mentorship, market access, and strategic partnerships designed to fast-track their growth across Africa.
The kick-off week features high-level interactions at Afreximbank’s headquarters, culminating in a networking event at the Grand Egyptian Museum, merging Africa’s historical legacy with its innovative future.
Enhancing Africa’s Trade Landscape
During the launch, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President of Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, emphasized the programme’s role in transforming Africa’s trade reality. “Trade does not exist merely in policy documents; it materializes through businesses and entrepreneurs,” he noted, underscoring the critical role of innovation in the continent’s trade dynamics.
Unique Features of the Accelerator Programme
The Afreximbank Accelerator Programme provides a competitive advantage through:
- Direct access to Afreximbank’s extensive pan-African network
- Opportunities for market access and deal facilitation across crucial African trade corridors
- Regulatory and policy guidance, leveraging connections with central banks and regulators
- Integration pathways into the Bank’s digital trade ecosystem, including the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS)
This initiative positions Afreximbank as a pivotal enabler in cross-border trade, assisting startups in navigating regulatory, compliance, and market entry challenges across various jurisdictions.
Transforming Trade and Economic Integration
The Accelerator Programme underscores Afreximbank’s increasing role as a catalyst for trade and innovation in Africa. It aims to identify and scale high-impact ventures, thereby fortifying the digital infrastructure necessary for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This effort places Afreximbank at the forefront of advancing intra-African trade and economic transformation.
The eight startups involved in the programme collectively operate in more than 15 African countries, demonstrating the vast potential of African innovation. Companies like Fluna have facilitated over US$50 million in trade across ten countries, while Capsa Technologies has processed more than NGN70 billion in supply chain finance.
Together, these ventures are setting the digital foundation for intra-African trade, promoting the implementation of the AfCFTA, and paving the way for economic integration across the continent and into the wider Global Africa network.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
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For further information, please reach out to:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager
Email: press@afreximbank.com
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About Afreximbank
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade. With over 30 years of experience, the Bank has pioneered innovative financing solutions aimed at accelerating Africa’s industrialization and boosting regional trade.
Afreximbank firmly supports the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and has established the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as a critical payment solution for facilitating trade across the continent.
Learn more about Afreximbank at www.Afreximbank.com
