ECOWAS CELEBRATES INNOVATION AS HUBPHARM AFRICA WINS 2ND STARTUP AWARDS

ECOWAS CELEBRATES INNOVATION AS HUBPHARM AFRICA WINS 2ND STARTUP AWARDS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Directorate of Private Sector and Industry, has successfully concluded the second edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards on the 30th of September 2026 at the New ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja. HubPharm Africa of Nigeria emerged as the winner of the US$30,000 grand prize, while Gaynako of Senegal and My Opinion of Côte d’Ivoire were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The ceremony also featured the launch of the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy and the ECOWAS Startup Networks. The initiatives are designed to strengthen connections among entrepreneurs and other private-sector stakeholders, promote knowledge-sharing, and expand access to opportunities within the region’s growing startup ecosystem.

The second edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards underscores the Commission’s continued efforts to foster innovation, support emerging enterprises and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship across West Africa.