The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says its Startup Awards programme is expected to strengthen regional integration, promote industrialisation and create employment by helping promising businesses expand across West Africa.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr Dehpue Zuo, stated this on Monday in Abuja during the opening of the second edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards.
The 2026 programme is themed “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem Development to Drive Market Access.” The initiative is designed to identify innovative businesses with the potential to grow beyond their national markets and contribute to the wider regional economy.
Zuo described the programme as more than a competition, saying it was created to help develop strong businesses capable of operating at scale, generating employment and contributing to economic transformation.
He said the response to the second edition had been significant, with 6,679 registrations from the 12 ECOWAS member states.
According to him, supporting startups to expand across borders could strengthen commercial ties among West African countries while giving innovative businesses access to larger markets and new opportunities.
The programme also places emphasis on digital transformation and sustainable value chains, areas ECOWAS considers important to improving competitiveness and strengthening regional economic cooperation.
The 2026 edition brings together startups, investors, business leaders, development partners and other stakeholders. ECOWAS said the programme would include masterclasses, pitching sessions, exhibitions and the final awards activities.
The initiative is expected to expose participating entrepreneurs to potential investors and business partners while providing opportunities for them to showcase products and services developed to address challenges within the region.
The ECOWAS Startup Awards are part of the commission’s wider efforts to encourage innovation, digital entrepreneurship and stronger economic links among member states.
By helping startups develop sustainable businesses and access markets beyond their home countries, the programme is expected to contribute to employment generation and a more interconnected West African business environment.
