Second Edition of West African Startups Awards is Coming
Following the successful outing at the inaugural West African Startups Awards in Niamey, Niger in 2021, the Directorate of Private Sector of the ECOWAS Commission convened a preparatory meeting from June 3rd to 5th, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. This meeting was in compliance with the directive of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to hold the Awards Annually.
In his address to the participants on behalf of Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Tony Elumelu, the Ag. Director of Private Sector of the ECOWAS Commission emphasized that the Startup Awards serve as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and digital entrepreneurship across the West African Region.
Dr. Elumelu further stated that “the vision is to establish an ecosystem where startups can flourish, ideas can thrive, and collaboration can transcend boundaries”.
In collaboration with various stakeholders, the ECOWAS Commission organized the 1st West Africa Startups Summit in Niamey, Niger Republic from 18th – 20th November 2021, as part of efforts to promote digital entrepreneurship in the ECOWAS region. A total of fifty-five (55) contestants from eleven (11) ECOWAS member states participated in the competition and were awarded prizes in different categories, with the top three winners receiving USD 30,000, USD 25,000, and USD 15,000 respectively.
