Abuja Turns into West Africa’s Deal Room as 60 Startups Chase $65,000 and $5m Jackpot
• 6,000 applied, 60 picked, 20 to pitch live September 30 as ECOWAS bets on innovation to drive integration, jobs Michael Olugbode in Abuja The future of West African trade
Abuja has become a bustling deal room for West Africa, as 60 startups compete for $65,000 and a $5 million jackpot at the second ECOWAS Startup Awards. The region's most promising companies, selected from over 6,000 applications, will battle for the prize during a 10-day event running from September 21 to 30 in the Nigerian capital.
The awards, organized by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with other partners, aim to boost innovation and integration across six sectors: EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, CleanTech, and Tourism. Twenty finalists will pitch before an independent jury, with the top three receiving funding and mentorship to help them grow into successful businesses.
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