ECOWAS gathers sixty West African start-ups in Abuja to boost innovation

Ten days of activities for the regional ecosystem

This second edition unfolds over a ten day period through a support and presentation pathway. Activities begin with a virtual masterclass scheduled from 21 to 25 September 2026. This online preparatory phase precedes the physical meetings held at the organisation's new headquarters in Abuja from 28 to 30 September 2026.

During these final three days, entrepreneurs participate in pitch sessions before investors, exhibit their innovations, and compete for official awards. The initiative aims to directly connect project promoters with technical and financial partners, business leaders, and support structures in West Africa.

Six strategic sectors and targeted funding

The sixty structures selected for this edition operate in six areas of activity defined as priorities for the development of the subregion. These sectors include financial technologies, health technologies, agro-technology and food systems, education technologies, climate-related clean technologies, as well as technologies applied to tourism and hospitality.

Following the presentations, the top three initiatives receive direct financial grants to support their growth. The first-ranked start-up benefits from seed funding of 30,000 US dollars. The second and third winners receive packages of 20,000 and 15,000 US dollars respectively.

A target of five million dollars in transactions

Beyond the three main awards, the event serves as a global business platform for all participants. Organisers are targeting the conclusion of financial agreements totalling 5 million US dollars across the various represented themes.

This meeting follows on from the first edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards, which took place in Niamey, Niger, in 2021. For this session in Abuja, the Commission is partnering with several international and regional partners, including the International Trade Centre, the German GIZ, ASKY Airlines, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the Bank of Industry of Nigeria.

Sustainability of skills through digital technology

To extend the impact of this biennial meeting, the regional institution plans to set up a continuous training tool. A permanent digital academy, named the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy, is currently being established.

This online learning system is aimed at entrepreneurs, start-up leaders, and policy makers within the community space. It offers modules focused on business development, cross-border trade mechanisms, and improving competitiveness in regional markets.