Verto has unveiled the finalists for the 2025 Verto Awards, an initiative celebrating high-impact, early-stage ventures transforming cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and digital commerce across the continent.
The awards, which opened for applications on February 6, 2025, attracted a strong cohort of innovative startups from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Applicants were assessed on their solutions tackling critical challenges in fintech, agritech, healthtech, climate, and commerce.
Ola Oyetayo, Co-Founder and CEO of Verto, emphasised the awards’ role in boosting Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.
“In today’s hyperconnected world, access to global markets is not just a benefit, but a game changer,” Oyetayo stated. “We have worked to eliminate financial barriers for businesses across emerging markets. Through the Verto Awards, we are equipping the next generation of African entrepreneurs with global visibility and tangible resources to scale.”
Meet the Verto Awards 2025 Finalists!
Kenya’s thriving tech ecosystem is particularly well-represented, with startups tackling everything from mental health to sustainable agriculture. These ten ventures now move forward to the final evaluation stage:
- Fixo Solutions Ltd – A digital platform connecting verified handymen with urban clients.
- Grofunder Africa Ltd – A peer-to-peer agri-financing platform for smallholder commercial farmers.
- Train Your Brain (TYB) – A tech-driven platform offering affordable, accessible online mental health therapy.
- Thorium Organic Foods – Builders of a traceability platform for verifying sustainable farming practices.
- Ndeza Collective (Braiding Nairobi) – A tech-based marketplace for on-demand, professional at-home hair braiding.
- JengaPay – A remittance aggregator simplifying cross-border payments for African users and businesses.
- WissenWelle LLC – A global learning marketplace enabling doctors to deliver health education across 12 countries.
- Finite Pay International – A fintech platform offering multi-currency accounts to facilitate Africa’s global trade ambitions.
- Green Voyage – A climate tech startup helping organisations manage and monetise carbon offset projects.
What’s Next?
A panel of seasoned business leaders and industry experts will now assess each finalist based on their impact, scalability, and sustainability.
The winners will be revealed at a prestigious awards gala in Nairobi on November 27, 2025, with cash prizes designed to propel their global expansion:
| Rank | Prize |
| Winner | USD $10,000 |
| 1st Runner-Up | USD $3,000 |
| 2nd Runner-Up | USD $2,000 |
The Verto Awards are a key part of Verto’s broader mission to accelerate Africa’s digital economy by removing cross-border financial friction and supporting scalable, sustainable innovation.
Which of these incredible startups do you think will walk away with the grand prize? Let us know your predictions!
