ECOWAS Shortlists 60 Startups From Over 6,000 Entries for Regional Awards
The Economic Community of West African States has selected 60 startups from more than 6,000 applications to advance in its regional entrepreneurship awards, placing the finalists in contention for recognition and support across West Africa.
The selection is part of the second edition of the ECOWAS Startups Award, designed to identify promising young businesses and help them move from early-stage ideas into sustainable companies.
The Acting Director of Private Sector and Industry at the ECOWAS Commission, Oluonye Peter, said the 60 successful applicants would take part in a five-day masterclass covering business management, capacity building and other areas needed for growth.
After the training, the number of participants will be reduced to 20 finalists, who will proceed to a live pitching competition for the top prizes.
The three winners will receive seed funding of $30,000, $20,000 and $15,000 respectively, while ECOWAS also plans to support the selected businesses beyond the award ceremony through an accelerator programme.
Peter said many startups across West Africa have innovative ideas but struggle with access to funding, managerial experience, professional support and the ability to take their products into the market. The programme is expected to help address some of those challenges.
The competition will focus on sectors including FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and food systems, EdTech and skills development, CleanTech, climate and green innovation, as well as tourism, hospitality and travel technology.
Director-General of the Pan African Alliance for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Henry Emejuo, said the initiative would involve three major stages — training, pitching and the final award — with independent assessors screening the thousands of applications before selecting the finalists.
The 20 finalists will pitch their ideas before investors and other stakeholders, while the wider programme will also connect participating startups with venture capitalists, impact investors, financial institutions and development partners.
The selected businesses are expected to undergo a further six-month accelerator programme after the awards to help strengthen their operations, create jobs and improve their chances of long-term success.
The second ECOWAS Startups Award is scheduled to hold from September 21 to 30, 2026, with about 300 participants expected, including startups, technology hubs, accelerators, investors, policymakers and industry leaders.