ABUJA — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has opened applications for the second edition of its Startup Awards, with a total cash prize of $65,000 available to the top three startups emerging from the competition.
The initiative is aimed at identifying, recognising and supporting high-impact startups contributing to digital transformation, regional integration and sustainable value-chain development across West Africa.
The 2026 edition is being convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Directorate of Private Sector and Industry. The programme will be hosted in Abuja and jointly implemented by the Pan African Alliance of Small and Medium Industries (PAOSMI) and the Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS).
The initiative follows the inaugural ECOWAS Startup Awards held in Niamey, Niger, on November 18 and 19, 2021.
According to the organisers, the 2026 programme is expected to bring together 60 startups from ECOWAS Member States for a series of activities designed to strengthen their businesses and improve access to investment and regional markets.
The programme will feature masterclasses, startup clinics, pitch competitions, exhibitions, investor deal rooms, policy dialogues and post-award acceleration.
Top Three Startups to Share $65,000
The competition will offer a combined cash prize of $65,000 to the top three startups.
The winner will receive $30,000, while the first runner-up will receive $20,000 and the second runner-up will receive $15,000.
Beyond the financial rewards, selected startups are expected to benefit from regional visibility across the ECOWAS bloc, introductions to potential investors, networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and policymakers, mentorship and a six-month acceleration programme.
Participants will also have access to digital tools, including computers, accessories and software, to support their businesses.
Six Sectors Open to Applicants
Applications are open to startups operating in six strategic sectors considered important to the region’s economic and technological development.
1. EdTech
This category covers startups using technology to improve education, training, learning and skills development.
2. FinTech
The category is open to businesses developing technology-driven financial products and services aimed at improving access to and delivery of financial services.
3. HealthTech
HealthTech startups using technology to improve healthcare delivery and related services are eligible to apply.
4. AgriTech
This category covers businesses developing technology-based solutions for agriculture, food production, food systems and related value chains.
5. CleanTech
Startups working on clean technology, climate solutions, environmental sustainability and green innovation can apply under this category.
6. TravelTech
The category is open to businesses using technology to improve tourism, hospitality, travel and related services.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the organisers.
To qualify, a startup must have its lead applicant as a citizen of an ECOWAS Member State and must be registered and based within an ECOWAS country.
The startup must also have been operating for at least two years and must have a working product or service.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate market traction or the potential to scale their business.
All required documentation must also be submitted as part of the application process.
Documents Required for Application
Startups interested in participating are expected to prepare the necessary documents before commencing the application.
These include a completed application form covering Sections A to J, as well as a national passport or ECOWAS-approved identity document for the lead founder.
The identification document may be submitted in PDF or image format and must not exceed 10MB.
Applicants must also provide a recent colour passport photograph with a maximum file size of 5MB.
Where applicable, startups are required to submit a business registration certificate issued in an ECOWAS Member State.
Other required materials include two years of financial statements, management accounts or financial projections.
Applicants must also prepare a business plan of not more than 10 pages. The document must be single-spaced and written in Times New Roman, size 12.
A pitch deck of not more than 10 slides is also required.
In addition, applicants must submit a one-minute pitch video in MP4, MOV or WebM format, with a maximum file size of 100MB.
How the Selection Process Will Work
The selection process will be conducted in two major phases — national selection and regional finals.
National Selection
At the national level, each ECOWAS Member State will nominate half of its allocated slots.
The remaining slots will be filled through applications submitted directly by members of the public.
This means startups do not necessarily need to receive a national nomination before they can compete for a place in the programme.
Regional Finals
Startups that make it through the selection stages will proceed to the regional finals in Abuja, where they will pitch their businesses before an independent regional jury.
The winners will be determined through scoring and consensus.
The jury will comprise individuals drawn from the industry, investment and policy sectors.
The organisers said judges will be required to comply with conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies throughout the selection process.
Application Deadline
The application portal opened on August 3, 2026, and eligible startups have until August 31, 2026, to submit their applications.
The programme will subsequently proceed to the next stages of screening, selection and regional activities.
The organisers have also released detailed guidelines outlining the eligibility requirements, application procedure, selection criteria and other conditions for participation.
Eligible startups across the six sectors are therefore encouraged to review the guidelines carefully and ensure that all required documents and application materials are prepared before submitting their applications.
