Ecobank to Host Inaugural Fintech Challenge Semifinal in Lagos, Nigeria

Ecobank, the pan-African bank, has announced that its inaugural Fintech Challenge semifinal event will take place in Lagos, Nigeria. Scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, the hybrid event will be hosted at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.

This year’s Ecobank Fintech Challenge attracted over 1,550 applications from 70 countries, with only 40 semi-finalists making the shortlist. After a thorough review of their submissions, a jury has selected the top finalists, who will be revealed during the semifinal event. These finalists will advance to the Grand Finale, where they will compete for a $50,000 prize and a coveted spot in the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship program—a significant opportunity for advancing their innovations.

Ecobank Fintech Fellows stand to gain numerous benefits, including collaboration opportunities with Ecobank and its partners, and the potential to integrate their solutions with Ecobank’s extensive 35-country Pan-African network. Selected fintechs may also become Pan-African service partners within the bank’s ecosystem. Fellows enjoy exclusive access to Ecobank’s state-of-the-art APIs, which they can use to test and develop their products for the Pan-African market. Additionally, they receive priority access to Ecobank’s Venture Capital partners for funding opportunities.

Djiba Diallo, Senior Fintech Advisor at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), expressed admiration for the caliber of this year’s applicants, acknowledging the talent and innovation emerging from Africa. “I congratulate the semi-finalists and eagerly anticipate the semifinal event in Lagos, Nigeria, where we will announce the top finalists,” she stated.

Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria said he is glad that Nigerian affiliate was hosting the semi-finals, announcing an inspiring and thought-provoking panel of discussion with the Nigerian fintech community as a prelude to the hybrid event.

According to him, “Hosting this year’s Fintech Challenge semifinal is a great honour for us. We are thrilled to welcome prominent fintech players from across the continent and are particularly proud of the strong participation from Nigerian fintechs. Their efforts contribute to Africa’s financial integration and economic growth. We invite Nigerian fintechs to take advantage of the panel discussions, while also using the opportunity to network and explore partnership opportunities that will support their growth”.