Zenith Bank launches Zecathon 6.0 with ₦190m prize pool for African innovators
Zenith Bank has launched Zecathon 6.0, its flagship startup competition and innovation programme, in partnership with Beyond Limits. The sixth edition features a ₦190 million prize pool—the largest in the programme’s history—and introduces the Future Innovators Challenge for senior secondary schools in Nigeria alongside the established Hackathon and Startup Pitch Competition. Founders and developers across Africa, and senior secondary schools in Nigeria, can apply free of charge at cutt.ly/zecathon6 before the deadline of 13 October 2026.
The expanded prize pool aims to accelerate digital solutions across key sectors including FMCG, insurance, education, retail and e‑commerce, payments, lending, cybersecurity, agriculture, health, and transportation and logistics. In the Hackathon and Startup Pitch categories, the winner receives ₦35 million, second place ₦20 million, third place ₦15 million, and fourth and fifth place ₦10 million each. The top three schools in the Future Innovators Challenge will receive ₦5 million, ₦3 million, and ₦2 million respectively. Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, said the initiative creates an ecosystem where developers, dreamers, students, and founders can collaborate and build real solutions that shape Africa’s banking and business future.
Will you or your school apply for the Future Innovators Challenge before 13 October, or will you enter the Hackathon or Startup Pitch Competition to showcase your innovative idea and compete for up to ₦35 million in funding?