Safaricom has unveiled 10 startups as finalists for the second cohort of its Spark Accelerator Program, a corporate innovation initiative launched in partnership with M-PESA Africa, Sumitomo Corporation, and implemented by iHUB.

The startups are:

  •  Mediakits.Io
  • WePlay Arcade
  • GoPay
  • FlexPay
  • QuePay
  • Leta.AI
  • Oye
  • DigiTax
  • Incourage Insurance Agency Limited
  • StockApp

If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here.

The startups will join a three-month acceleration program beginning October 2025. The program is designed to fast-track growth by combining mentorship, technical support, and corporate market access.

According to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, the accelerator’s goal is to “nurture, grow and scale commercially viable tech start-ups that drive positive societal impact.” He noted that the company has expanded support for early-stage ventures beyond capital to include product development, access to customers, and distribution networks.

The accelerator follows a dual-track approach:

  • iHUB-led Track where startups undergo structured workshops, advisory sessions, and expert mentorship.
  • Corporate Engagement Track where Safaricom and M-PESA Africa open up commercial and technical teams, along with distribution channels, to help startups integrate and scale.

The program will end with a Demo Day scheduled on February 2026. Participating startups will have a chance to pitch to venture capital funds and potential investors. Beyond the Demo Day, the companies will also receive nine to twelve months of post-acceleration support.

The second cohort’s ventures operate in sectors Safaricom considers strategically relevant for Africa: Embedded Finance, Creative Economy, Future Fintech, and SME Productivity Tools. 

Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of iHUB and Co-creation Hub, highlighted the importance of corporate accelerators in Africa’s innovation journey: “This approach strengthens the capacity of ventures to scale and creates new pathways for sustainable growth and resilience across the continent.”

For these and more stories, follow us on X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and Telegram. You can also send us tips or reach out at info@techarena.co.ke.