The Journey So Far
The Ecobank Fintech Challenge has evolved into a remarkable annual celebration of indigenous African innovations and Fintech collaborative exchange over the last five editions. With a vision to foster growth and transformation within the African Fintech ecosystem, Ecobank continues to champion its digitization mandate by identifying and supporting promising Africa-focused Fintech startups ready to scale and make a significant impact across the continent.
The Ecobank Fintech Challenge began with an explosive first edition in 2017 and an ensuing second edition in 2018, at the Ecobank Global Headquarters in Lomé, Togo. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Challenge saw a transition to a successful hybrid format – with virtual and live studio components. Following the end of the COVID-19 global health emergency, the subsequent editions returned to an exciting live grand finale at the Ecobank Pan-African Center, starting with the 2022 edition.
The 2023 Grand Finale Highlights
Our Hallmark
Commercial partnership and integration opportunities to access Ecobank’s 33 African markets
Business acceleration support & capacity building through the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship
Diverse pool of impressive Africa-focused innovations solving Africa’s financial inclusion pain-points
Visibility and networking opportunities from Investors and strategic partners
$50,000 no-strings attached cash prize support to winning company
Our Impact
5,500+
applications from 64 countries in 6 years
60
Fintech startups onboarded onto the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship
14
countries served with Fintech products launched in partnership between Ecobank and Ecobank Fintech Fellows
7
Ecobank Fintech products currently live on Ecobank digital platforms
4
product integrations currently ongoing with Ecobank Fintech Fellows
Discover the 2023 Finalists
Introducing Africa's pioneering merchant-embedded saving-based purchase platform called "Save Now, Buy Later," designed to bridge the affordability gap for the vast underbanked African population.
FlexPay prioritizes savings over credit, driving a global movement towards conscious consumption and enhanced financial literacy.
IPOXCap AI uses machine learning to generate charts and insights based on data, providing a comprehensive view of a company's financial health and forecasts to empower financial decision-making.
We are set on democratising financial opportunities. We're building tech that offers an effortless, innovative platform that matches global standards and unlocks untapped growth opportunities by serving banking rails to clients wherever they are - Web, mobile, Apps or WhatsApp.
Koree is a card wallet application that addresses Sub-Saharan Francophone Africa spare change scarcity by digitizing cash merchant payments, while simultaneously empowering African consumers through an incentive reward system that lets them earn cashback on payments made with any payment method.
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KORIPASS is a highly innovative payment system linked to physical payment accessories like bracelets, stickers, or keychains.
This enables quick and easy merchant payments using NFC and QR Code technology without internet or smartphone.
SmartTeller is providing access to digital banking services to the underserved, by providing them with easy payments and digital banking experience.
We digitize cooperatives and small businesses to drive financial inclusion by providing them with digital wallets and access to financial services.
Rubyx is a data-driven fintech partnering with service providers in emerging markets to bring innovative financing solutions to informal entrepreneurs and small businesses.
With our solution, we aim to bridge the funding gap faced by millions of African MSMEs.
Makuta is a simple, convenient, and secure ecosystem dedicated to money transfers and payments through both Mobile Money and debit/credit cards.
Makuta is also a network of over 200 merchants and 300 000 users, encompassing 5 Mobile Money operators, 5 banks, and international debit/credit cards.