ECOWAS Kicks Off $65,000 Startup Award Process for Sierra Leoneans, Other West Africans
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced the second edition of its Startup Awards, bringing together 60 promising startups from across the region, including Sierra Leone.
The 10-day programme is taking place from September 21 to 30, 2026, at the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme, “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem Development to Drive Market Access.”
The programme began with a virtual masterclass running from September 21 to 25, followed by pitching, exhibitions and the awards ceremony from September 28 to 30.
Participating startups are drawn from six sectors: FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Food Systems, EdTech and Skills Development, CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation, and Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Tech.
The top three startups will receive seed funding of US$30,000, US$20,000 and US$15,000 respectively, bringing the total prize money to US$65,000.
The programme also aims to facilitate up to US$5 million in deals across the participating thematic sectors, while connecting entrepreneurs with investors, business leaders and development partners.
The awards build on the inaugural edition held in Niamey, Niger, in 2021 and are designed to provide a platform for West African startups to expand their businesses and access regional and international markets.
As part of the initiative, ECOWAS will also establish the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy, a digital learning platform aimed at strengthening the capacity of startups, entrepreneurs and policymakers in enterprise development, trade and competitiveness.
The initiative is being supported by partners including the International Trade Centre (ITC), GIZ, ASKY, UNIDO and the Bank of Industry of Nigeria.