Applications are open for Zenith Bank Zecathon 6.0 Innovation Challenge 2026. Zenith Bank Plc has unveiled the sixth edition of its flagship startup competition and innovation programme, Zecathon 6.0, with a N190 million prize pool for innovators, startups and students across Africa.
The programme, delivered in partnership with Beyond Limits, introduces the Future Innovators Challenge for senior secondary schools, alongside the existing Hackathon and Startup Pitch Competition.
Zenith Bank Zecathon 6.0 brings together developers, entrepreneurs, and visionary innovators to drive Africa’s digital transformation. This flagship innovation challenge features three unique programs designed to empower startups, innovators and students to drive impact and turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.
Zecathon 6.0 Innovation Challenge Categories and Details
This year, there are three ways to participate:
1. Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition – for growth-stage African startups
Africa’s stage for bold founders shaping the future. The 2026 edition highlights Generative AI, Agentic AI, and emerging technologies transforming industries across the continent. The program identifies, nurtures, and accelerates growth-stage startups across sectors including Fintech, AgriTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, E-commerce, and beyond, providing continental visibility, mentorship, and growth resources.
Cash Prizes for Top 5 Finalists:
- 1st Position: ₦35 million
- 2nd Position: ₦20 million
- 3rd Position: ₦15 million
- 4th and 5th Position: ₦10 million each
Eligibility Criteria
- Be growth-stage African startups with a registered business entity
- Operate in one or more of the listed focus sectors
- Have a market-ready product or service with demonstrated market traction, including evidence of customer adoption, revenue, or market demand.
- Demonstrate a scalable business model and a clear track record of growth, with the potential to expand into new markets and customer segments.
Click Here For More Details and To Apply
2. Zenith Bank Hackathon — for developers, designers and innovators
The hackathon invites developers, innovators, and designers to create cutting-edge banking solutions addressing critical challenges in the financial services sector. Designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and innovation, participants leverage emerging technologies to drive transformational impact.
Cash Prizes for Top 5 Finalists:
- 1st Position: ₦35 million
- 2nd Position: ₦20 million
- 3rd Position: ₦15 million
- 4th and 5th Position: ₦10 million each
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to all Individuals within 20 – 35 years of age
- Developers, designers, and innovators
- Students, professionals, & startups
- Teams of 2-4 people
- Citizens of African countries
Click Here To Apply and For Details
3. Zenith Future Innovators Challenge – for senior secondary school students
The Zenith Future Innovators Challenge is a flagship national innovation competition designed to identify, nurture and showcase Nigeria’s brightest secondary school innovators by challenging them to develop practical, creative solutions to pressing national issues across selected priority sectors.
Cash Prizes for Top 3 Finalists (Schools):
- 1st Position: ₦5 million
- 2nd Position: ₦3 million
- 3rd Position: ₦2 million
Eligibility Criteria
- School
- Be an existing secondary school offering senior secondary education.
- Students
- Be a student currently enrolled in SS1, SS2 or SS3.
- School representative
- Have a teacher or designated school representative serve as the team’s point of contact.
- Solution
- Develop an innovative solution addressing a real-world problem within one of the five priority sectors.
- Availability
- Complete the required application. Be available to participate virtually in the Innovation Bootcamp, mentorship activities and Innovation Showcase if shortlisted.
Click Here To Apply and For Details
Benefits
- Compete for ₦190 million in total cash prizes
- Showcase your talent and ideas on a continental stage
- Access mentorship and growth opportunities
- Collaborate with Africa’s brightest innovators
- Turn your ideas into real-world impact
How To Apply for Zecathon 6.0 Innovation Challenge
There are three ways to Apply:
- Startup Pitch Competition — for growth-stage African startups
- Click Here For More Details and To Apply
- Hackathon — for developers, designers and innovators
- Click Here To Apply and For Details
- Zenith Future Innovators Challenge — for senior secondary school students with bold ideas
- Click Here To Apply and For Details
Application Deadline: October 13, 2026.
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