Verto’s Co-Founder and CEO, Ola Oyetayo
By Editorial Team.
Nairobi, September 30, 2025 – The race for a USD10,000 grand prize is on, as Verto, a global fintech leader, has announced the finalists for the 2025 Verto Awards. The awards celebrate early-stage African startups building bold solutions in cross-border payments, digital commerce, and beyond.
Launched on February 6, 2025, the competition drew a strong pool of applicants from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Startups were required to have been operational for at least two years, tackling challenges across fintech, agritech, healthtech, climate, and commerce.
Verto’s Co-Founder and CEO, Ola Oyetayo, said the initiative is part of the company’s vision to strengthen Africa’s role in the global digital economy.
“Access to global markets is not just a benefit, but a game changer,” Oyetayo said. “Through the Verto Awards, we are equipping the next generation of African entrepreneurs with visibility and resources to scale.”
Kenya’s innovation hubs are strongly represented among this year’s finalists. Local startups on the list include Fixo Solutions, Grofunder Africa, Train Your Brain, Thorium Organic Foods, Ndeza Collective, and JengaPay. They join other African ventures such as WissenWelle LLC, Finite Pay International, and Green Voyage in the final round.
The nine startups will now face a panel of industry experts who will evaluate them based on impact, scalability, and sustainability.
Winners will be crowned at a gala in Nairobi on November 27, 2025. The overall champion will walk away with USD10,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive USD3,000 and USD2,000 respectively.
The Verto Awards form part of the company’s broader mission to eliminate cross-border financial friction and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
