Four Nigerian Startups Secure Spots in Visa’s Global Finals

12 African Startups Compete for $50,000 in Visa’s Innovation Challenge

Twelve cutting-edge startups from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia have emerged as finalists for Visa’s $50,000 funding competition. Selected from 238 entries across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these startups are tackling commerce challenges of the future while enhancing their own product offerings and strengthening Visa’s vast network of partners.  

Driving Fintech Innovation in Africa

Fintech startups across the continent are revolutionizing transactions, moving beyond traditional banking to offer smarter, more inclusive financial solutions. Geraldine Mitchley, Senior Visa Director for Digital Solutions, SSA, expressed excitement about the contest’s impact:  

“We are delighted with the response to Visa’s Everywhere Initiative. The quality of submissions we received is a testament to the region’s rich talent pool and innovative spirit.”

The final showdown will take place in Johannesburg on July 24, 2018, where each finalist will pitch their ideas before a distinguished jury.  

Meet the Four Nigerian Finalists

These Nigerian startups are leading the charge with innovative fintech solutions:  

🔹 VoguePay – A global online payment platform that enables businesses and consumers to send and receive payments in multiple currencies, offering diverse payment methods such as mobile wallets, direct bank transfers, subscription billing, and even Bitcoin transactions.  

🔹 CredPal – A credit financing platform that enables individuals to access credit for both online and offline purchases. By leveraging technology to assess risk and streamline credit access, CredPal connects multiple financial institutions with users seamlessly.  

🔹 Loystar – A retail-focused loyalty and payment platform that helps businesses retain customers and drive repeat sales. Through its smartphone and tablet-based POS system, Loystar enables businesses to engage customers with best-in-class loyalty marketing automation.  

🔹 Growsel – A peer-to-peer crowdfunding platform that empowers small-scale farmers by providing farm loans, training, and market access. By bridging the gap between rural farmers and investors, Growsel is transforming Africa’s agricultural sector.  

Other Startups in the Finals  

Beyond Nigeria, other **innovative startups from across Africa have secured spots in the final:  

🇰🇪 Kenya – M-Changa, Mookh, WayaWaya, LipaPlus  

🇿🇦 South Africa– Howler, FinChatBot  

🇺🇬 Uganda & Zambia – Swipe2Pay, Brig Africa  

What’s Next?

As these startups gear up for the final pitch, the competition is set to be a defining moment for African fintech innovation. The winner will not only secure $50,000 but also gain access to Visa’s vast resources and partnership network, accelerating their growth and impact across the continent.  

With Africa’s fintech space booming, these startups are leading the charge toward a more connected, inclusive, and cashless future. 🚀💡🌍