The Africa Fintech Summit AFTS has announced the 2026 New Venture Pitch Competition,
where eleven fintech and fintech-adjacent startups will pitch to investors, policymakers,
and ecosystem leaders during the upcoming summit.
Since 2017, alumni of the Africa Fintech Summit New Venture Competition and the Alpha
Expo Pitch Competition have collectively raised more than $600 million in funding,
underscoring AFTS’ role in connecting early-stage founders with global capital and
strategic partners.
For 2026, AFTS is introducing a hybrid model for the first time, with all startup pitches
taking place virtually. The update is driven by founder and partner feedback and expands
access while maintaining an in-person convening on April 16th at Amazon WAS16 Aurora;
1770 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
The selected startups represent key sectors including digital finance, agricultural
infrastructure, healthcare access, AI, and financial inclusion:
Agroasys, from Tanzania: A digital agri-commodity marketplace enabling secure, verified
cross-border trade for farmers, buyers, and logistics providers.
Agrodigito, from Tanzania: A platform digitizing agricultural supply chains by connecting
agroverts with suppliers and improving input sourcing and logistics visibility.
Bluum Finance, operating across the United States, Nigeria, and Kenya: Provides
API-based investing infrastructure allowing fintechs and banks to embed wealth products
efficiently.
ByLight, from South Africa: Connects users with vetted service providers across logistics,
childcare, and business support, enabling trusted access and income opportunities.
Deaftronics, from Botswana: Develops solar-powered, rechargeable hearing aids to
improve affordability and accessibility in low-resource settings.
El-dizer Financial Service, from Tanzania: Focused on student finance, offering loans,
device financing, and credit-building tools for young users.
FreemoPay, from Cameroon: Digitizes tontines, enabling secure online group savings
while maintaining traditional community structures.
Medical Street, from Uganda: A health commerce platform connecting users to verified
medical supplies and improving procurement access.
Migraide AI, from the United States: Uses AI to automate visa applications and
documentation, reducing complexity and errors for cross-border mobility.
Moto Health Technologies, from Mauritius and the United States: Connects patients to
healthcare through reliable transportation, reducing missed appointments and access
barriers.
Udara Technologies, from Nigeria: Builds AI-powered voice infrastructure for financial
institutions to improve accessibility and engagement in local languages.
The updated program includes a virtual-first morning opening participation to founders
across Africa, followed by an in-person afternoon in Washington, DC focused on investor
engagement and strategic dialogue.
Following the pitch competition, AFTS will host three curated virtual breakout roundtables
connecting founders with investors across stages.
Breakout Room A will focus on pre-seed with a session on growth strategy and market fit.
Breakout Room B will focus on seed-stage topics including scaling, market fit, and investor
alignment.
Breakout Room C will convene Series A investors to discuss how global capital evaluates
African fintech and how founders can better position their narratives.
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The full schedule is available on the Africa Fintech Summit website. Attendees can register
to attend in person, while virtual participation will be accessible via Africa Fintech Summit
social media platforms.
For more information and to register, visit www.africafintechsummit.com
Media Contact
Mikiyas Tamerat
Africa Fintech Summit
Africa Fintech Summit
mikiyas@africafintechsummit.com
About The Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS)
The Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS) is a premier global convening platform dedicated to
advancing Africa’s fintech and digital ecosystem. AFTS brings together investors,
innovators, and regulators to foster collaboration, mobilize investment, and showcase
African-led solutions. Supported by an advisory board of fintech pioneers and industry
leaders, AFTS serves as a trusted space where ideas are debated, partnerships formed, and
the future of African financial and digital infrastructure is shaped.
