ECOWAS Opens $65,000 Startup Awards for 60 West African Ventures
Updated
Updated · Punch Newspapers · Aug 11
ECOWAS Opens $65,000 Startup Awards for 60 West African Ventures
3 articles · Updated · Punch Newspapers · Aug 11
Summary
$65,000 in prize money is on offer as ECOWAS opens applications for the second edition of its Startup Awards, targeting 60 startups across 12 member states.
Applications opened on Aug. 3 and close on Aug. 31, with shortlisted founders moving into virtual masterclasses on Sept. 21-25 before regional finals in Abuja on Sept. 30.
Six sectors are eligible—EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, CleanTech and tourism tech—and applicants must be ECOWAS citizens running locally registered startups with at least two years of operations.
Winners will receive cash awards plus investor access, regional visibility and a six-month acceleration and mentorship program as ECOWAS uses the contest to push digital entrepreneurship and regional integration.