Pan African Fintech Accelerator programme open for fintech startups

The Pan African Fintech Accelerator programme, funded by the SANAD Fund for MSME, in partnership with MEST Africa and Impact Lab, has opened applications for its six-month virtual programme.

Ten fintech startups that display a high potential in technology-based businesses will be selected to participate in the virtual programme.

Applications for Pan African Fintech Accelerator programme close on 20 December

Startups from Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Senegal who aim to scale their business, create global partnerships, and explore North African markets are encouraged to apply. 

Selected startups will undergo a high-impact and custom market integration and immersion programme that will assist participants in successfully launching into North Africa markets, and scale their businesses globally. 

Accelerator requirements

In order to qualify for the Pan African Fintech Accelerator programme, startups must adhere to the following criteria: 

• Fintechs must be at the growth stage looking to enter into North Africa markets.
• Fintechs must operate in Ghana, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Uganda, or Senegal.
• At least one founder of the startup must be a citizen of one of the participating countries.
• Fintechs must prioritise providing solutions in regulatory technology, personal finance, lending, insurance, payment, HR and payroll, wealth management, accounting, and expense management.
• Fintechs must be operating for at least two years before applying for the programme
• Startups must have a dedicated full-time founding team with at least 1 female founder.
• Startups must display evidence of revenue and have demonstrated the potential to scale the business.

Interested applicants can apply online to the Pan African Fintech Accelerator programme and will be charged with a commitment fee of $500 which will be reimbursed. 

The accelerator

During the six-month virtual programme, startups will receive industry-specific training that will focus on assessing and enhancing the fintech’s product, design thinking, software engineering, business model development, user discovery, product lifecycle, agile product roadmaps, product testing, data analysis, and business model evaluation.

The programme will offer:

• Discussions about the local fintech regulatory environments, and mindset culture with North African experts.
• Workshops focusing on leadership, unit economics, and business partnerships.
• Industry meet-ups that include North African stakeholders, and ecosystem players that consist of institutional partners, corporates, and ecosystem players such as venture capitalists.
• One-to-one sessions that will be conducted virtually with pre-identified potential clients or commercial partners.
• Customised sessions regarding go-to-market strategies that will include presentation coaching, pitching, public speaking, and support in developing adapted marketing material.
• A Demo Day for startups to present to an audience of investors, industry experts, corporates, ecosystem players

Read more: Eight African startups selected for Facebook Commerce Accelerator Programme
Read more: Gauteng Accelerator Programme finalists announced 

Featured Image: Štefan Štefančík via Unsplash