ECOWAS opens $65,000 Startup Awards for Nigerian entrepreneurs, applications close August 31
By Aboki Forex —
The Economic Community of West African States has opened applications for the second edition of its Startup Awards, with $65,000 in cash prizes for Nigerian entrepreneurs and startups. Applications opened on August 3, 2026 and close on August 31, 2026.
The programme is designed to identify, recognise and support innovative startups while promoting digital entrepreneurship, technological innovation and economic integration across West Africa, the ECOWAS Commission announced on Monday.
What the 2026 edition offers
The 2026 edition targets 60 startups from the 12 ECOWAS member states. Selected businesses will come from six sectors: EdTech and Skills Development, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Food Systems, CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation, and Tourism, Hospitality and TravelTech.
The programme follows the inaugural ECOWAS Startup Awards held in Niamey, Niger, in November 2021. This year, selected startups will take part in virtual masterclasses from September 21 to 25, 2026, before a physical programme in Abuja from September 28 to 30. The regional finals hold in Abuja on September 30.
The cash prize structure includes $20,000 for the first runner-up and $15,000 for the second runner-up, with a total of $65,000 in cash awards. Beyond the money, selected founders get regional exposure, investor access through deal rooms, networking opportunities, a six-month post-award acceleration and mentorship programme, and digital tools including computers, accessories and software.
Eligibility and required documents
Applicants must be citizens of an ECOWAS member state. Their startups must be registered and based in an ECOWAS country, have operated for at least two years, demonstrate a functioning product or service, and provide evidence of market traction or scalability.
Documents needed include a valid national passport or ECOWAS-approved identity document belonging to the lead founder, a recent passport photograph, and a business registration certificate where applicable. Applicants must also submit two years of financial statements, management accounts or projections, a business plan of no more than 10 pages, a pitch deck of up to 10 slides, and a one-minute pitch video in MP4, MOV or WebM format with a maximum file size of 100MB.
How to apply and selection process
Interested startups can apply through the official ECOWAS Startup Awards application portal. Applicants must create an account using their full name, email address, telephone number and a password of at least 10 characters. The application form contains Sections A through J and can be saved as a draft before final submission.
According to a Punch report, the selection process combines national and regional assessments. Each member state will nominate half of its allocated slots, while the remaining slots come through open public applications. At the regional stage, finalists pitch before an independent jury made up of industry experts, investors and policy stakeholders.
Startups will be assessed on problem clarity and solution fit, innovation, team capacity, market potential, financial viability, social and economic impact, alignment with ECOWAS priorities, and pitch and voting integrity.
For Nigerian startups looking to expand their reach and attract investors across West Africa, the competition offers a significant platform to take their businesses to the next level.