How Nigerians can apply for ECOWAS $65,000 startup award

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a call for applications for its second edition of the Startup Awards, providing a total of $65,000 in cash prizes to innovative startups across the region. The awards, aimed at promoting digital entrepreneurship and economic integration in West Africa, were announced via ECOWAS Commission's X account.

The program, which follows the inaugural event held in Niamey, Niger, in November 2021, seeks to identify promising startups that can benefit from participating in virtual masterclasses and a physical event in Abuja, culminating in a regional finals.

Nigerian applicants are eligible to apply if they are citizens of an ECOWAS member state, operate a registered startup in an ECOWAS country, have been in operation for at least two years, possess a working product or service, demonstrate market traction or scalability, and fulfill all required documentation. Interested individuals can apply through the official application portal and submit necessary documents such as a national passport or ECOWAS-approved identity document of the lead founder, recent passport photograph, business registration certificate, financial statements, business plan, pitch deck, and a one-minute pitch video.

The selection process involves a two-phase screening, where national selections and regional finals involving an independent jury assess applicants based on various criteria including problem clarity, innovation, team capacity, market potential, business model, social and economic impact, alignment with ECOWAS priorities, and pitch performance.