Nigeria’s Hubpharm Africa and services has emerged as the winner of the second edition of the Economic Community of West African Startup awards.
Hubpharm, led by its Co-founder and CEO, Tope Kareem, went home with $30,000 the prize money for the overall winner.
A Senegalese Startup, Gaynako came first runner up. The Startup, which is led by Pape Natango Mbaye, went home with the prize money of $20,000.
While the Cote d’Ivoire Startup, myOpinion, went home with the second runner up award of $15,000. Steve Bah Blesson is the Founder and CEO.
The three winners emerged from the last five. Sixty Startups were selected from about 1,500 entries cleared for the awards.
The finalists represent six strategic sectors: EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Food Systems, CleanTech and Green Innovation, and Tourism/Hospitality.
The ECOWAS Commission also announced the launch of its private sector academy. The aademy is to provide needed information and teachings for emerging entrepreneurs in the sub-region.
In his remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dehpue Yenpea Zuo, disclosed plans to propose an increase in the first prize to $50,000.
He said: ‘As a first priority. I am going to the management to actually get the permission to now increase the award amount, from $30,000 to $50,000. So that it will become more attractive and competitive.’
He also said the start-up awards is now an annual event.
The first edition was held in 2021.
Zuo said all the participants have a future, urging them to see themselves as not just business innovators but leaders who have decided to change and impact the community and the entire globe.
Zuo noted that the 60 participants will receive post-event support, including a six-month acceleration programme, mentorship, investor access, and entry into the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy.
He also reminded them of the Dangote who started very small, but is now a global figure.