Afreximbank has Selected 8 Tech Startups for First Intra-African Trade Accelerator
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has selected eight startups for the first cohort of its flagship Accelerator Programme, a three-month initiative set to begin in March 2026. The programme targets early-stage companies building solutions that strengthen intra-African trade, support industrialisation, and advance the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The announcement, made from Cairo on February 2, 2026, follows a competitive selection process that drew more than 1,600 applications from across the continent, the African diaspora, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Finalists underwent rigorous evaluations, including detailed business reviews, interviews, and pitch sessions judged by Afreximbank trade experts and external specialists from venture capital and innovation fields.
The chosen startups represent diverse sectors such as logistics, agritech, fintech, e-commerce, alternative finance, and AI-enabled services, all aligned with reducing trade barriers, improving market access, and addressing financial gaps in cross-border commerce.
The Eight selected startups are:
- OnePort 365 (Nigeria), a digital freight management platform integrating air, ocean, and trucking logistics to streamline supply chains.
- Timon (Nigeria), a travel and payments wallet aimed at simplifying cross-border transactions for African users.
- Zowasel (Nigeria), an agritech and finance company focused on transforming agribusiness trade and market linkages.
- Fluna (Nigeria), a digital trade infrastructure platform serving the agricultural sector.
- Capsa (Nigeria), an alternative finance marketplace expanding access to funding options.
- Fincart.io (Egypt), an operating system supporting e-commerce small and medium enterprises in emerging markets.
- Gebeya (Ethiopia), which develops AI agents to provide operational infrastructure for businesses in Africa’s service and creative economy.
- Daba Finance (Ivory Coast), a unified platform for investment and capital mobilisation.
Notably, five of the eight startups originate from Nigeria, underscoring the country’s vibrant tech ecosystem and its leading role in developing trade-enabling innovations across Africa.
Participants in the programme will receive tailored mentorship from industry experts and Afreximbank leaders, strategic guidance, and connections to the bank’s extensive pan-African trade network. Through the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), eligible startups may access up to US$250,000 in equity investment following standard due diligence processes. The structure combines weekly virtual sessions, hands-on workshops, and in-person gatherings at regional hubs, leading to a demo day where founders present to investors, policymakers, and trade stakeholders.
This initiative reflects Afreximbank’s strategic emphasis on leveraging technology to boost intra-African commerce, particularly as AfCFTA implementation progresses. By supporting scalable solutions in trade finance, logistics, and digital platforms, the programme seeks to contribute to greater economic integration and industrial growth across the continent.
