By Ayomide Otitoju
Ecobank, the pan-African banking giant, is set to host the semi-final event of its inaugural Fintech Challenge in Lagos on Wednesday, August 14. The hybrid event will be held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), marking a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to fostering innovation across the continent.
The 2024 Ecobank Fintech Challenge attracted over 1,550 applications from 70 countries, with only 40 semi-finalists making the cut. Following a rigorous review process, a jury has selected the top finalists who will be revealed at the semi-final event. These finalists will compete in the Grand Finale for a $50,000 prize and a coveted spot in the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship program, a platform designed to accelerate the development of their innovations.
Ecobank Fintech Fellows will gain access to a range of opportunities, including potential collaborations with Ecobank and its partners. This could involve integrating their solutions with Ecobank’s systems, paving the way for product launches within the bank’s 35-country Pan-African network. Additionally, fellows will receive exclusive access to Ecobank’s advanced APIs, allowing them to refine their products for the Pan-African market. They will also have priority access to Ecobank’s Venture Capital partners, opening doors to vital funding opportunities.
Djiba Diallo, Senior Fintech Advisor at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), expressed her admiration for the caliber of this year’s applications. “I am impressed by the quality of this year’s submissions. The talent and innovation coming out of Africa are remarkable. I congratulate the semi-finalists and look forward to announcing the top finalists in Lagos.”
Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, expressed his pride in hosting the semi-finals in Nigeria. He highlighted the significance of the event for the Nigerian fintech community, stating, “Hosting this year’s Fintech Challenge semifinal is a great honor for us. We are thrilled to welcome leading fintech players from across the continent, and we are particularly proud of the strong participation from Nigerian fintechs. Their contributions are vital to Africa’s financial integration and economic growth. We encourage Nigerian fintechs to engage with the panel discussions, network, and explore partnership opportunities that will support their growth.”
The Ecobank Fintech Challenge is organized in partnership with international advisory firm Konfidants and is supported by a diverse range of partners, including Huawei, Proparco, TechCabal, BlueSpace, Afrilabs, Africa Fintech Network, MEST Africa, Naija Startups, Expand in Africa, and Founders Africa.
