Cross-border payments in Africa have long been defined by high costs, limited access and systems that do not reflect how people actually move money. Kredete’s latest milestone, recognized at the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Demo Day, signals a shift away from those constraints. By introducing a stablecoin-backed credit card built for both diaspora and local users, the company is positioning itself at the center of a new financial model that connects African consumers more directly to global markets.
At the Cohort 5 Demo Day held during GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Kredete was named one of the standout alumni of the accelerator. The recognition comes as Visa marked its milestone of supporting over 100 startups across Africa through the program. These companies collectively represent a combined valuation of $1.4 billion, underlining the growing strength of the continent’s fintech ecosystem.
Kredete’s progress through the accelerator reflects how targeted support can translate into real products and market expansion. As part of Cohort 3, the company leveraged mentorship, strategic guidance and access to Visa’s global network to develop and launch Africa’s first stablecoin-backed credit card in partnership with Visa. The card enables users across 50 African countries to spend U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins at more than 150 million merchants worldwide, bridging the gap between digital assets and everyday transactions.
Expanding Financial Access Through Stablecoin Innovation
Founded in 2023 by Adeola Adedewe, Kredete is focused on building financial tools that reflect the realities of Africans both at home and abroad. Its model combines cross-border money transfers, stablecoin technology and a credit-building system designed to recognize financial activity that is often overlooked by traditional institutions.
“Our vision is simple: if you support your family financially, that should count toward your creditworthiness,” Adedewe said, pointing to a key gap in existing financial systems. “We’re building a system that rewards financial responsibility across borders and making sure that the millions of Africans abroad are finally seen, scored and served.”
The stablecoin-backed credit card sits at the core of this approach. Built on USDC and settled across multiple blockchain networks, the product is designed to deliver speed, transparency and lower costs. It also addresses common challenges faced by African consumers, including high foreign exchange fees, limited merchant acceptance and currency volatility. By allowing users to transact in a stable, dollar-backed digital currency, the card offers a more consistent way to participate in global commerce.
Since launching in selected African markets, Kredete has recorded strong user adoption and is now expanding into the Gulf Cooperation Council region, with plans to enter the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman. This expansion highlights the growing demand for solutions that can operate seamlessly across borders and currencies.
Accelerator Programs Driving Real Market Impact
Kredete’s recognition at the Demo Day also reflects the broader impact of accelerator programs in shaping Africa’s fintech landscape. Visa highlighted the company’s journey as an example of how structured support can move startups beyond early-stage development into scalable, revenue-generating businesses.
“Being recognized through the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator has accelerated our ability to deliver on that mission at scale,” Adedewe said, emphasizing the role the program has played in helping the company bring its solutions to market.
Beyond its credit card offering, Kredete continues to expand its financial ecosystem. The platform enables users to send money to more than 30 countries at low cost, while each transaction contributes to building their credit profile in their country of residence. To date, the company has raised $24.75 million in funding, serves over 4.6 million users and processes more than $9 billion in annualized payments volume.
For Visa, collaborations like this align with its broader strategy of expanding access to digital payments worldwide. The company facilitates more than 215 billion transactions annually across over 200 countries and territories, focusing on building a secure, reliable and inclusive payments network.
