Verto, a Nigerian fintech company specialising in cross-border payments and banking solutions for emerging markets, has announced the launch of the Verto Global Business Award. The initiative will offer up to $15,000 in prize money to early-stage startups in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya demonstrating international growth potential.
Applications for the award will open on February 6, 2025, and will be open to businesses operating for a maximum of two years. Eligible companies must have multi-market operations and established connections with international suppliers, with winners selected based on market impact, innovation, and growth potential. The competition is sector-agnostic.
The winner will receive $10,000, the runner-up $3,000, and the second runner-up $2,000. The awards are intended to support the winners’ global expansion and streamline their cross-border operations, with the winners announced on October 10, 2025.
Ola Oyetayo, chief executive and co-founder of Verto, said the award reflected the company’s commitment to breaking down payment barriers and facilitating global trade. “The world today is more connected than ever, and for start-ups, access to global markets isn’t just an advantage — it’s a game changer,” he said. “The Verto Global Business Award takes this a step further, equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with the resources and global recognition they need to scale and compete on a global stage.”
Verto, founded in 2017, offers businesses cross-border payment services, currency conversion across 50 currencies, and instant money transfers to over 200 countries. The company has positioned itself as a facilitator of trade for businesses operating in emerging markets.
The award comes as international trade becomes increasingly important to global GDP. According to the World Trade Organization, 29 per cent of global GDP is now linked to international trade. Verto cited projections that intra-continental trade in Africa is expected to boost income by $450 billion by 2035, highlighting the potential for growth in the region. The company said the award aims to support start-ups in capitalising on these opportunities and contributing to Africa’s economic transformation.
Startups are encouraged to submit their application online via this form