From Lagos to The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Accra to Côte d’Ivoire, the 2026 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition connects high-potential, growth-stage startups with the visibility, partnerships, and opportunities to accelerate their next phase of growth. Showcase your solution on a continental stage and unlock new pathways to scale across Africa and beyond.
The 2026 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair is Africa’s stage for bold innovators shaping the future. This year, it highlights Generative AI, Agentic AI, and emerging technologies transforming industries across the continent. The program identifies, nurtures, and accelerates startups across Fintech, AgriTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, E-commerce, and beyond, offering continental visibility, mentorship, and growth resources to scale with impact. Zenith Bank empowers African innovators to dream bigger, move faster, and turn visionary ideas into real-world solutions.
The competition shines a spotlight on startups driving innovation across these critical sectors:
This competition seeks to elevate startups innovating in these critical sectors:
Showcase your startup’s innovation and compete for cash prizes
Top 20 semifinalists would be part of a two-week engagement, designed to strengthen leadership capabilities and inspire continued growth.
These cash prizes offer finalists the capital they need to take their ventures to the next level.
1st Place:
4 Other Finalists:
These cash prizes offer finalists the capital they need to take their ventures to the next level.
22nd September – 13th October, 2026
19th October, 2026
26th October, 2026
28th October, 2026
January 2027
21st September – 7th October, 2026
19th October, 2026
26th October, 2026
28th October, 2026
January 2027
At last year’s Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition, Cubbes emerged as the overall winner and received a cash prize of ₦30 million, while the other four finalists, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, and Venille Ltd, were named runners-up and each received ₦10 million.
In addition, 20 semifinalists participated in a comprehensive incubation programme that provided tailored training, mentorship, and access to investors and key ecosystem stakeholders. The programme equipped participating startups with the resources, connections, and support needed to scale their businesses and drive sustainable growth.
To be eligible for the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition, applicants must:
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your startup!
Applications close on 13th October, 2026.
The jury will assess each pitch based on:
By participating in the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition, all startups agree to the following:
Program Implementation Partner
Beyond Limits is an organization dedicated to advancing innovation, leadership transformation, and business growth. With a clear mission to inspire excellence and empower communities, the company focuses on three pillars: fostering entrepreneurship development by equipping individuals with essential skills, facilitating tech ecosystem growth by connecting innovators with opportunities, and promoting leadership and digital transformation to help organizations embrace change, adopt technology, and remain competitive in today's evolving global marketplace.
Learn more about Beyond Limits
Zenith Bank Plc was established in May 1990, and commenced operations in July of the same year as a commercial bank. The Bank became a public limited company on June 17, 2004 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on October 21, 2004 following a highly successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). Zenith Bank Plc currently has a shareholder base of more than half a million and is Nigeria's biggest bank by tier-1 capital. In 2013, the Bank listed $850 million worth of its shares at $6.80 each on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Learn more about Zenith Bank Beyond Limits is a leading organization dedicated to driving innovation, leadership transformation, and business growth. The company focuses on three core pillars:
(1) Fostering entrepreneurship development
(2) Facilitating tech ecosystem growth, and
(3) Promoting leadership and digital transformation.
Zenith Bank Plc was established in May 1990, and commenced operations in July of the same year as a commercial bank. The Bank became a public limited company on June 17, 2004 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on October 21, 2004 following a highly successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). Zenith Bank Plc currently has a shareholder base of more than half a million and is Nigeria’s biggest bank by tier-1 capital. In 2013, the Bank listed $850 million worth of its shares at $6.80 each on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
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