Verto has recognised and rewarded three promising African startups with cash prizes and targeted support designed to accelerate their international growth, following the successful conclusion of its inaugural Global Business Award ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria. The initiative, launched earlier this year, seeks to spotlight high-potential early-stage startups that are creating innovative, scalable solutions with the capacity to compete on a global stage.
The winners—Dingpay, AquaTrack, and Grower—were announced at a lively gathering of investors, ecosystem partners, industry leaders, and members of Nigeria’s vibrant startup community. They were carefully selected after several months of evaluation, shortlisting, and a rigorous judging process, highlighting Africa’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The award, created by the B2B global payments platform, aims to strengthen Africa’s participation in international trade while empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Winners receive not only financial support but also visibility, access to international supplier networks, and the financial infrastructure necessary to scale operations across borders.
Dingpay, a rising fintech company focused on seamless financial services, emerged as the overall winner, receiving the grand prize of $10,000. Co-founder Itohowo Udofia described the recognition as a significant validation of the company’s mission and a crucial boost to its growth plans.
“We are truly honoured to be named the winner of the Verto Global Business Award. This prize will help us scale more rapidly, enhance our operational capabilities, and unlock new opportunities in global markets. It is a strong endorsement of our efforts, and we are excited for what the future holds,” Udofia stated.
AquaTrack, an innovative agrotech startup leveraging technology to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, was awarded the second-place prize of $3,000. Grower, an online marketplace connecting skilled tech talent with employers, received the third-place award of $2,000. Both companies were recognised for their innovation, feasibility, and the scalability embedded within their business models.
The winners were assessed by a distinguished panel of judges, including Dotun Adekunle, COO/CTO of OPay; Ime Enang, CEO of The Conversationalist Limited; Omotayo Idowu, group head of Commerce; Soibi Ovia, partner at DAO Law; and Austin Okpagu, Verto Nigeria’s country manager. The panel’s evaluation reflected a broader strategy to identify bold, innovative ideas capable of shaping Africa’s economic future and enhancing the continent’s role in global markets.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Ola Oyetayo, Verto’s co-founder and CEO, highlighted that the initiative demonstrates the company’s dedication to nurturing Africa’s growing innovation ecosystem. He emphasised that the exceptional quality of this year’s founders, ideas, and execution illustrates the continent’s readiness to develop globally competitive businesses.
Oyetayo reaffirmed Verto’s commitment to providing the financial infrastructure, trade-enabling tools, and international networks that help promising startups pursue global opportunities and achieve sustainable growth. “This inaugural edition of the Verto Global Business Award has revealed the remarkable innovation, resilience, and global ambition that exists within Africa’s early-stage startup ecosystem. We are proud to support these businesses as they expand internationally and strengthen Africa’s economic influence on the global stage,” he added.
