Visa has announced strategic investments and partnerships with two standout African fintechs—Konnect from Tunisia and PayTic from Morocco—following their participation in the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator’s third cohort. The announcement was made during GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, where the accelerator concluded with a Demo Day showcasing 19 startups. This move underscores Visa’s continued dedication to driving digital transformation and financial inclusion across the continent.
Empowering Innovation Through Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator
The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program is a 12-week initiative aimed at equipping early-stage startups with mentorship, training, and business development opportunities. Since launching in 2023, the program has supported more than 60 startups across Africa, with a fourth cohort already scheduled for announcement in June 2025. The initiative forms part of Visa’s larger pledge to invest $1 billion in Africa by 2027, supporting financial technology that fosters inclusive economic growth.
Spotlight on Konnect and PayTic
Among the latest beneficiaries of Visa’s investment are Konnect, a Tunisian company simplifying digital payments by enabling link-based transfers via SMS, email, and messaging apps, and PayTic, a Moroccan startup optimizing digital payment compliance and back-office operations. These investments aim to scale the capabilities of both startups, enhancing their reach and operational efficiency. The partnerships are also designed to deepen Visa’s integration with local ecosystems through innovation and co-development.
Leadership Voices Highlight Strategic Value
Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the NALP region at Visa, Leila Serhan, emphasized that supporting these fintechs reflects Visa’s vision of enabling cutting-edge solutions that reshape commerce across Africa. She praised Konnect and PayTic as exemplars of creativity and impact in the digital finance sector. Her remarks reinforced Visa’s commitment to not only funding but also actively partnering with startups to maximize their potential.
Founders Reflect on Growth and Opportunity
Amin Ben Abderrahman, CEO of Konnect, expressed excitement over Visa’s trust and collaboration, describing it as a validation of their mission to simplify payments for African businesses and consumers. He highlighted the importance of this partnership in scaling operations and boosting confidence in the digital payments ecosystem. Meanwhile, Imad Boumahdi, CEO of PayTic, said Visa’s backing enables the company to raise standards in compliance and automation, two critical areas for fintech scalability.
Cohort 3 Showcases Diversity and Talent
Cohort 3 of the accelerator brought together a diverse range of innovators from 21 African countries, with women leading 85% of participating startups—an impressive rise from previous editions. The Demo Day at GITEX Africa offered startups a platform to pitch to venture capitalists, angel investors, and corporate partners, providing a launchpad for future partnerships. The event served as a powerful display of Africa’s entrepreneurial depth and Visa’s role in catalyzing progress.
Track Record of Impact Across Africa
Visa’s investment in Konnect and PayTic builds on its earlier support for Accelerator alumni such as Ghana’s Oze, Kenya’s Workpay, Nigeria’s OkHi, and ORDA, which operates in several countries including South Africa. Each of these companies brings innovative solutions tailored to local needs—from embedded SME finance to digital restaurant software. The collective impact reflects Visa’s multi-country approach to fostering scalable fintech ventures.
Through sustained investment, mentorship, and strategic collaboration, Visa is positioning itself as a pivotal player in Africa’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape. The success of programs like the Africa Fintech Accelerator showcases Visa’s belief in local talent and its commitment to creating inclusive financial infrastructure. With further investments and the next cohort already in the pipeline, Visa is accelerating Africa’s digital financial future, one startup at a time.