The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has 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 23 to 27 March 2026.
Selected from more than 1,600 applications, the cohort features ventures building digital infrastructure to support intra-African trade. The startups span key sectors including cross-border payments, digital logistics, agri-export platforms, AI-powered enterprise solutions, supply chain finance and diaspora investment mobilisation.
The selected companies are Fincart.io (Egypt); OnePort 365 (Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya); Timon (operating 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).
Under the programme, which has been designed and implemented by Afreximbank, qualifying startups will be eligible for investment of up to 250,000 dollars, subject to standard criteria and due diligence. The initiative also provides mentorship, market access and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating expansion across the continent.
The Cairo kick-off week, which began at Afreximbank’s headquarters on 24 March 2026, includes high-level engagements with the bank’s leadership, industry experts, mentors and ecosystem partners. It will conclude with a social mixer at the Grand Egyptian Museum, linking Africa’s heritage with its evolving innovation landscape.
Speaking during the kickoff meeting, Mr Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, highlighted the significance of the programme: “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. 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.”
He added: “This Accelerator Programme is part of a much broader ambition: an Africa where start-ups scale across the continent as a matter of course, where businesses trade seamlessly across borders, and where the continent operates as a truly integrated economic force. Afreximbank is proud to be a partner, an enabler and a committed stakeholder in the success of the next generation of African trade champions.”
During the programme, the startups also met Afreximbank President Dr George Elombi and senior leadership for expert-led briefings across a range of areas.
The accelerator offers direct access to Afreximbank’s network of governments, financial institutions, corporates and trade partners, alongside market access and deal facilitation opportunities across key trade corridors. Participants also benefit from regulatory and policy guidance, as well as integration pathways into the bank’s digital trade platforms, including the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System.
The initiative positions Afreximbank as a key enabler of cross-border trade, supporting startups in navigating licensing, compliance and market entry across multiple jurisdictions. It also reinforces the bank’s role in shaping Africa’s digital trade ecosystem through infrastructure, partnerships and access to markets.
The programme underscores Afreximbank’s growing influence as a catalyst for trade and innovation, providing a structured platform to identify and scale high-impact ventures. It also supports the development of digital infrastructure critical to the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, advancing intra-African trade and economic integration.
Collectively, the eight startups operate in more than 15 African countries across major trade corridors in West, East, North and Southern Africa. Their performance reflects the scale of innovation across the continent.
Fluna has facilitated more than 50 million dollars in trade across 10 countries, while Capsa has processed over 70 billion naira in supply chain finance. OnePort 365 connects trade corridors between Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. Timon supports payments in 15 countries and plans expansion to 40, while Zowasel has connected more than 4,000 verified cooperatives and agribusinesses.
Together, these ventures are building the digital infrastructure for intra-African trade, accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and unlocking new pathways for economic integration across the continent and the wider Global Africa network.
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