African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank) has announced the selection of eight finalists for the inaugural cohort of its Afreximbank Accelerator Program. The three-month programme, set to begin in March 2026, is aimed at supporting high-potential African startups developing solutions to strengthen intra-African trade.

The finalists emerged from a highly competitive pool of more than 1,600 applications, reflecting the depth and diversity of entrepreneurial talent across the continent. The selection process involved in-depth business reviews, interviews, and pitch presentations, evaluated by Afreximbank trade experts alongside external specialists from the venture capital and innovation ecosystem.

Here is the list of startups:

  • FinCart

  • OnePort 365

  • Timon

  • Zowasel

  • Gebeya

  • Fluna

  • Capsa

  • Daba Finance

The chosen startups align closely with Afreximbank’s mandate to deliver tangible progress in intra-African and Global Africa trade. Spanning sectors such as agriculture, e-commerce, market access, financial technology, supply chain solutions, and manufacturing, the finalists are positioned to tackle key trade bottlenecks affecting both continental and diaspora markets, while supporting Africa’s industrialisation ambitions.

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Applications were received from across Africa, the diaspora, and CARICOM, underscoring the programme’s wide geographic reach and Afreximbank’s commitment to continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By focusing on startups from Seed to Series A stages and applying a structured three-stage evaluation process that blends expert judgment, practical business analysis, and strategic innovation criteria, the accelerator seeks to scale high-impact ventures while nurturing a sustainable, trade-driven development ecosystem.

Finalists in the Afreximbank Accelerator Program will benefit from a comprehensive support package, including:

  • Equity investment: Subject to selection criteria, up to US$250,000 in equity financing through Afreximbank’s impact investment subsidiary, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), to support rapid scaling and operational expansion.

  • Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals and industry leaders, including investors, trade specialists, and thought leaders dedicated to advancing Africa’s economic integration under the AfCFTA.

  • Market access: Entry into Afreximbank’s pan-African trade ecosystem, encompassing trade facilitation initiatives, regulatory support pathways, and access to the Bank’s extensive network of public- and private-sector partners and multilateral institutions.

Throughout the programme, participants will take part in virtual learning sessions, practical workshops, and in-person engagements hosted in regional hubs such as Abuja and Nairobi, as well as at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The programme will conclude with a flagship Demo Day, where startups will present their solutions to a global audience of investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.

 

Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank commented:

“The Afreximbank Accelerator Programme reflects our belief in the power of innovation to transform intra-African trade and also underscores the important role that Global Africa’s innovation plays in realising the promise of the AfCFTA.

This inaugural cohort represents the future of African enterprise, and we are proud to invest in them from vision to scale to nurture solutions needed to unlock trade across Africa, the diaspora, and the Caribbean.”

 

The Afreximbank Accelerator Program reinforces the Bank’s commitment to promoting homegrown, scalable solutions that address critical trade challenges and help realise Africa’s economic potential under the AfCFTA framework.

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