Afreximbank Boosts African Trade with $250,000 Accelerator for Eight Promising Startups
CAIRO – The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has selected eight startups from across the continent and its diaspora to participate in its inaugural Accelerator Program, a three-month initiative designed to fuel intra-African trade and industrialization. The program, launching in March 2026, will provide selected companies with up to $250,000 in equity investment, mentorship, and crucial market access.
The announcement comes as Africa increasingly looks to strengthen its internal economic ties, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The AfCFTA, aiming to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, is projected to increase intra-African trade by as much as 33% according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Afreximbank received over 1,600 applications, highlighting the burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit across Africa. The finalists were chosen through a rigorous evaluation process involving business assessments, interviews, and pitch sessions judged by Afreximbank trade specialists and venture capital experts.
“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,” said Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank. “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 selected startups represent a diverse range of sectors critical to trade development, including agriculture, e-commerce, financial technology, supply chain management, and manufacturing. They aim to tackle challenges impacting trade within Africa and with the African diaspora, fostering a more integrated and robust economic landscape.
The program’s support package extends beyond financial investment. Startups will benefit from mentorship provided by industry leaders and seasoned experts, refining their business strategies and accelerating their entry into new markets. Crucially, Afreximbank will leverage its extensive network – encompassing government stakeholders, private sector players, and multilateral partners – to connect the startups with potential funding and strategic partnerships.
Finalists will participate in virtual learning modules, hands-on workshops, and in-person sessions held in regional hubs like Abuja, Nairobi, and Cairo. The program will culminate in a “Demo Day,” offering startups a platform to showcase their innovations to a global audience of investors and policymakers.
Afreximbank’s commitment to fostering homegrown solutions aligns with the broader goals of the AfCFTA. The bank has already launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), adopted by the African Union as the official platform for facilitating intra-African trade payments. Afreximbank also manages a $10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries participating in the AfCFTA.
As of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies exceeded $40.1 billion, with shareholder funds totaling $7.2 billion. The bank holds investment grade ratings from GCR (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-).
For more information on the Afreximbank Accelerator Program and the selected startups, visit: https://accelerator-programme.afreximbank.com/
About Afreximbank:
Founded over 30 years ago, Afreximbank is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade. The bank focuses on delivering innovative financing solutions to transform Africa’s trade structure, accelerate industrialization, and boost economic expansion. Learn more at www.afreximbank.com.
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