By Ayomide Otitoju
Wema Bank has announced the seventh edition of its flagship innovation initiative, Hackaholics, reaffirming its commitment to supporting young innovators and strengthening Africa’s technology ecosystem.
The announcement was made during a press conference held on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos.
Launched in 2019, Hackaholics is Wema Bank’s youth-focused technology initiative designed to provide a platform for young Africans with innovative, technology-driven ideas to develop and scale their solutions.
According to the bank, the initiative has, over the past six editions, supported more than 10,000 startups, engaged over 50,000 participants, facilitated the development of more than 100 solutions and awarded grant prizes worth $500 million to outstanding innovators.
The 2026 edition, themed “Powering Possibilities,” is expected to be the largest in the programme’s history.
Hackaholics 7.0 will begin with an open call for applications, inviting young Africans with innovative solutions across seven focus areas—Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Digital Transformation, Education, Sustainability, Social Impact and the Future of Work.
Applicants are expected to register through the Hackaholics portal under one of three categories: the Startup Pitch Competition, Hackathon or the newly introduced Social Impact Track.
Following the application phase, the programme will embark on a nationwide tour, covering 10 pitch centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Participants will present their innovations for a chance to emerge as regional winners and qualify for the grand finale, where the overall winners of Hackaholics 7.0 will be announced.
Speaking at the launch, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to promoting innovation, empowering young people and driving economic growth across Africa.
He said institutions have responsibilities beyond providing financial services, stressing the need to create opportunities, provide resources and support innovation that will shape the continent’s future.
According to Oseni, Hackaholics has evolved into a platform for identifying and nurturing the next generation of innovators while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He noted that the programme continues to invest in young people by providing them with opportunities to transform creative ideas into impactful solutions.
Also speaking, Wema Bank’s Divisional Executive, Business Support, Tajudeen Bakare, officially declared the application portal open, encouraging young Nigerians with innovative ideas to take advantage of the opportunity.
He said Hackaholics 7.0 is designed to inspire entrepreneurship, promote creativity and equip young innovators with the tools needed to succeed in today’s evolving technology landscape.
Bakare expressed confidence that the initiative would continue to expand opportunities for youth and foster an ecosystem where innovation thrives and transformative solutions emerge.
Hackaholics 7.0 is free to participate in and is open to Nigerian youths with innovative ideas and technology-driven solutions. Interested applicants can submit their entries through the Hackaholics application portal, while updates on the programme will be available on Wema Bank’s official website and social media platforms.Copyright TRUSTAFRICA NEWS.
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