AFRICAN Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has put its weight behind the next generation of African trade innovators, launching the first cohort of its Accelerator Programme with eight startups drawn from across the continent and the diaspora.
The week-long kick-off, running from 23–27 March 2026 in Cairo, marks the start of what the Bank hopes will be a practical push to strengthen Africa’s digital trade ecosystem — not just in theory, but on the ground.
More than 1 600 startups applied. Only eight made the cut.
They reflect a cross-section of the infrastructure quietly powering intra-African trade: cross-border payments, logistics, agri-export platforms, AI-driven enterprise tools, supply chain finance and diaspora investment platforms.
The selected companies include 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).
For these startups, the programme is more than a badge of honour.
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Afreximbank is offering potential investment of up to US$250 000 per company — subject to due diligence — alongside mentorship, market access and strategic partnerships to help them scale across borders.
The Cairo sessions, hosted at the Bank’s headquarters, bring founders face-to-face with senior leadership, industry experts and ecosystem partners.
The week will wrap up with a social mixer at the Grand Egyptian Museum — a symbolic nod to Africa’s past as the continent builds its digital future.
Speaking at the launch, Haytham Elmaayergi, executive vice president, global trade bank at Afreximbank, stressed the shift from ambition to action.
“Today, we move from promise to execution, because we understand a fundamental truth: trade does not happen within the pages of policy documents,” Elmaayergi said.
“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.”
The founders also held sessions with Afreximbank president George Elombi and the Bank’s senior leadership team, covering everything from regulation and policy to scaling across multiple markets.
What sets the programme apart is its access. Startups are plugged directly into Afreximbank’s network of governments, financial institutions and trade partners. They also gain support navigating regulatory environments, along with opportunities to integrate into the Bank’s digital platforms, including the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System.
“This approach positions Afreximbank as a strategic enabler of cross-border trade and continental scale, helping startups navigate licensing, compliance and market entry across multiple jurisdictions,” the Bank said.
“Beyond this, the Bank plays a central role in shaping Africa’s digital trade ecosystem, combining market access, partnerships, and infrastructure to support the growth of scalable, continent-wide solutions.”
Taken together, the eight startups are already active in more than 15 countries, spanning key trade corridors across West, East, North and Southern Africa.
Some are already making significant strides. Fluna has facilitated over US$50 million in trade across 10 countries, while Capsa has processed more than NGN70 billion in supply chain finance. OnePort 365 is linking trade routes between Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
Timon currently supports payments in 15 countries and is targeting expansion to 40, while Zowasel has connected more than 4 000 verified cooperatives and agribusinesses.