Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has announced its readiness to host the second edition of its regional Startups Award featuring over 600 participants from West African countries.
This was disclosed at a press briefing by the Acting Director of Private Sector and Industry of the ECOWAS Commission Peter Olunlonye on Monday at the Commission’s Secretariat in Abuja
The event, he said showcases regional value chains by convening startups, hubs, regulators, investors and development partners around high impact areas on transformation, regional integration and sustainable development among member states of the regional body.
The success of the inaugural edition led to a directive from the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for support to be extended to startups in emerging economies
The objective of the programme is to cultivate and strengthen a robust ecosystem for cross-border innovation and integrated development.
It provides opportunity for ECOWAS Member States to show case their innovations and pitch for digital first governance and regional innovation system
Holding between 21st-30th September at at the ECOWAS Headquarters Buildng in Abuja, Ngeria it ‘ll among other things connect startups with venture captalists, impact sectors,incuding FinTech; HealthTech; AgriTech & FoodbSystems;EdTech & Skills Development and CleanTech establishments.
It offers platform to Initiate regional and country-specific sustainable support investment drive during the event.
It will convene startups, technology hubs, to deepen regional and continentai integration.
The organisers extend appreciation to United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and other strategic partners.
The ECOWAS Startups Award is a flagship programme of the ECOWAS Commission designed to show case innovative investors, deveopment partners,and financial insttutions.
