Abuja Turns into West Africa’s Deal Room as 60 Startups Chase $65,000 and $5m Jackpot

Sixty of West Africa's most promising startups, selected from more than 6,000 applications, opened a 10-day competition in Abuja for the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards. The programme runs from September 21 to 30, 2026, starting with virtual masterclasses and startup clinics from September 21 to 25, followed by a physical programme in Abuja from September 28 to 30. Twenty finalists will emerge from the 60 to pitch before an independent jury of industry experts and investors, with a live regional final on September 30. The event is described as the biggest and most commercially driven startup programme ECOWAS has ever staged.

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