By Chioma Obinna

Cross-border payment company Verto hosted the first edition of its Verto Awards in Lagos, celebrating innovators who are building practical solutions for African communities.
The awards, created by cross-border payments company Verto, attracted applications from across the country. After a rigorous selection process, DingPay emerged as the grand-prize winner, receiving $10,000, while Aquatrack and Growwr won $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
According to the Country Director for Verto in Nigeria, Mr Austin Okpagu, the most remarkable solutions were those designed for real Nigerian circumstances, especially the widespread problem of unreliable internet connectivity.
“A lot of Nigerians still do not have access to internet. When innovators create solutions that work offline while providing real value, that is fantastic, he said.
Okpagu who is also one of the judges, added that the award reflects Verto’s desire to give back to the ecosystem by offering more than funding. “Beyond the prize money, the programme offers mentorship, reduced fees for startups onboarded to Verto, and access to global visibility.
“The 10,000 dollars is just a step. What we want is to create a platform where innovative businesses can be seen and supported. This is our first edition, and it will continue,” he said.
“Verto is a B2B cross-border payment solution provider with headquarters in London and operations across multiple markets. The company processes about 25 billion dollars annually, helping African businesses overcome currency and trade barriers that make intra-African commerce difficult.
He said it was still very hard for businesses in Africa to trade with one another because of currency issues. “Verto provides simple and compliant tools that allow them to do business with the world,” Okpagu explained.
Also speaking, another Judge, Mr Oluwadamilare Oladele, Managing Director of QuickCheck, explained that applications were evaluated through multiple stages based on product uniqueness, scalability, team capability, market potential, and business fundamentals. Six startups were selected to pitch live.
“We reviewed hundreds of applications. Founders had only five minutes to present, and the best were those who clearly communicated their solution’s value and growth potential,” he said.
The 1st Prize, 10,000 dollars:. DingPay presented an offline-first mobile wallet designed to replace physical wallets. The app stores cards, identity documents, transport tickets, and bank accounts. It works without internet access, positioning it well in a market where many Nigerians still lack connectivity. With only three African countries having access to Apple Wallet, DingPay aims to serve a large underserved market. The startup plans to grow through partnerships with 6Africa, Mainstack, Opay, and Moneypoint.
2nd Prize, 3,000 dollars: Aquatrack
Aquatrack is an AI-powered farm operating system built for Africa’s 15 million fish farmers. Founded by fish farmer Deborah Falope, the platform provides inventory tracking, financial management, AI recommendations, predictions, harvest management, access to markets, and financing. The company reports a pipeline of 160,000 farmers, more than 1,000 active subscribers, and over 30 tonnes of fish shipped nationwide.
3rd Prize, 2,000 dollars: Growwr
Growwr was recognized for its tools that help small businesses improve productivity and scale operations.
Other Notable Startups include; Braille, represented by Obinna Umeh, showcased an AI-driven platform that helps African freelancers secure work globally. The product includes hiring tools, productivity management, and secure payments. It has helped users earn more than 1.7 million dollars and works with over 2,000 businesses across 13 countries.
Nicert Limited presented its work supporting Nigerian agricultural producers with international certification and compliance. Through partnerships with bodies such as Eposat, the company helps farmers meet standards required for global market access.
ZER Consulting highlighted its mission of bringing African businesses to the world through strategy development, financial planning, governance structures, and social-impact-centered approaches. Its team spans Nigeria, Kenya, Germany, and other regions.
In his closing remarks, Okpagu reminded attendees that global success often begins with small beginnings.
“Verto processes 3 billion dollars monthly today, but it began with 10,000 dollars. This shows that innovation can come from anywhere,’ he said.
He invited founders to visit Verto’s Lagos office for continued support and mentioned an upcoming end-of-year event. With the success of its first edition, Verto signaled its intention to build a long-term platform that showcases African excellence and helps local startups scale to global heights.