Paytota is a pioneering FinTech startup revolutionizing the payment landscape in Africa by providing a comprehensive, universal payment solution tailored to the continent’s unique needs. Offering multiple payment options through a single API, including cards, mobile money, and bank transfers, Paytota simplifies payment processing for businesses across Africa and beyond. Serving over 500 global businesses, Paytota enables seamless transactions while addressing challenges like fragmented systems and limited options.

Recognized as the "Best Fintech Startup of the Year" in 2023 at the Africa Fintech and AI Awards, and featured as one of the top FinTech startups to watch globally, Paytota is a key player in driving Africa’s financial inclusion and innovation.

Duplo is a Lagos-based financial technology company founded in 2021, focused on empowering African enterprises with innovative payment, spend, and vendor management solutions. The platform automates expense and vendor processes, providing CFOs with greater control and efficiency. Duplo’s products, including the expense management tool and vendor management portal, help businesses categorize expenses, set budgets, and streamline vendor onboarding and invoicing. Its payments platform enables businesses to handle both local and international transactions effortlessly.

Reaching over 9 million users, Duplo is a leader in the B2B market, driving financial inclusion and digital transformation. By integrating with tools like Zoho Books and QuickBooks, Duplo empowers African enterprises to improve financial performance through data-driven decisions, enhanced vendor relationships, and better cash flow management.

(Including partners: Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Cooperative Limited (ECTTC) & FORUS Digital)

The WOW Initiative, launched by the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Cooperative Limited (ECTTC) in partnership with Ecentric Payment Systems and FORUS Digital, is revolutionizing South Africa’s minibus taxi industry. This innovative solution integrates digital cash payments, GPS tracking, camera monitoring, fuel rebates, and modernized scholar transport systems, all supported by blockchain technology. WOW aims to enhance operational efficiency, ensure safety, and introduce cashless payments, creating new revenue streams for taxi operators through value-added services like selling airtime and prepaid electricity.

By formalizing the minibus taxi industry, WOW empowers operators with data-driven insights for informed decision-making and introduces financial inclusion for underserved populations. With plans to expand across multiple provinces, WOW is driving economic growth, stability, and digital transformation within South Africa’s informal transport sector.

Yabx is a pioneering fintech company leveraging mobile network operators (MNOs) and advanced analytics to bridge the financial inclusion gap in emerging markets like Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. By integrating telecom data with AI-driven analytics, Yabx builds financial identities for underserved populations and offers customized credit solutions. Its flagship product, Quickloans, embedded in Airtel Money Wallet, has transformed access to credit, increasing the eligible customer base from 100,000 to 4.5 million and disbursing over $160 million in just 24 months.

Yabx’s innovative platform enables seamless credit access through digital disbursement, real-time credit scoring, and tailored loan products. It supports SMEs and individuals by improving financial inclusion, driving economic participation, and offering financial freedom in regions where traditional banking infrastructure falls short. Recognized for its impact, Yabx has won awards like the Best BNPL Solution at the Finovate Awards 2023.

Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange, is at the forefront of driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Africa through blockchain technology. Since 2017, Binance has made significant strides by partnering with local businesses and integrating with regional payment systems in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Its comprehensive suite of services—including trading, staking, and Binance Pay—enables secure and accessible cryptocurrency transactions, fostering the growth of a digital economy.

Binance’s commitment to education is evident through initiatives like Binance Academy, which has provided free blockchain and cryptocurrency education to over 400,000 Africans. The company also promotes diversity through partnerships with Women in Tech and supports security through its $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU). By driving cryptocurrency adoption, empowering local communities, and enhancing financial literacy, Binance is playing a transformative role in Africa’s digital economy.

The fintech solution must demonstrate exceptional innovation and creativity, introducing new and effective ways to deliver financial services and solve existing challenges within the industry.

The solution should significantly contribute to financial inclusion, making financial services more accessible to underserved and unbanked populations, thereby promoting broader economic participation.

The fintech innovation should have a measurable impact on economic growth and development, supporting businesses and individuals in achieving financial stability and success.