Applications for the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) 2026 Startup Awards are now available. The top three startups will receive a total cash award of $65,000.

The goal of the second edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards is to find, honour, and assist high-impact firms that are advancing sustainable value-chain growth, regional integration, and digital transformation throughout West Africa.

The Pan African Alliance of Small and Medium Industries (PAOSMI) and the Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) are working together to carry out the program, which is being organised by the ECOWAS Commission's Directorate of Private Sector and Industry and hosted in Abuja.

The program comes after the first one, which took place in Niamey, Niger, on November 18 and 19, 2021.

In addition to masterclasses, startup clinics, pitch competitions, exhibitions, investor deal rooms, policy discussions, and post-award acceleration, the 2026 edition is anticipated to bring together 60 businesses from ECOWAS Member States.

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