By our Correspondent
The top three innovative startups emerging from the 2026 ECOWAS Startup Awards will share a total prize of $65,000.
The Acting Director, Private Sector and Industry Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Peter Oluonye, disclosed this while outlining the programme for the second edition of the awards.
Oluonye said the overall winner would receive $30,000, while the first and second runners-up would receive $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.
The 2026 edition covers six categories: EdTech and Skills Development; FinTech; HealthTech; AgriTech and Food Systems; CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation; and Tourism, Hospitality and TravelTech.
According to him, 1,499 startups from across ECOWAS Member States submitted entries for the awards, which would be evaluated by a select committee of the Commission based on predetermined criteria.
He said AgriTech recorded the highest number of entries with 541, followed by EdTech with 438, while TravelTech had the lowest with 67 entries.
Oluonye said the awards platform was designed to connect startups with investors, policymakers and development partners, while providing opportunities for regional visibility and market access.
He said 60 startups selected by the committee would qualify for a masterclass, startup clinics, pitch competitions, exhibitions, policy dialogues and post-award support.
The five-day virtual masterclass is scheduled to commence on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, under the coordination of the ECOWAS Commission, followed by a three-day physical event at the Commission.
The selected participants are also expected to benefit from a six-month acceleration programme, capacity building and mentorship, as well as access to investors, networking opportunities and digital tools.
The theme of the 2026 ECOWAS Startup Awards is: “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem to Drive Market Access.”
The ECOWAS Startup Awards is being revived five years after its inaugural edition was held in Niamey, Niger Republic. (GSF)