Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0
FinTechInsurTechEdTechE-commerce and RetailAgriTechHealthTechLogisticsClimateTechCybersecurityFMCGPre-seedSeed

Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0

Pan-African startup pitch with ₦70m prizes and a 6-week incubation

Organizer: Zenith Bank Plc.
Deadline: October 31, 2025 (in 10 days)
Categories: Competition, Event, Incubator, Funding Opportunity
Regions: Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Tanzania, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sudan, Central African Republic, Djibouti, South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia, Gambia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Botswana, Mozambique, Comoros, Mauritius, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Chad, Cabo Verde, Namibia, Somalia, Niger, Seychelles, Congo, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, Eritrea, South Sudan, Egypt, Gabon, Malawi, Angola, Eswatini, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Sao Tome & Principe, Libya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, DR Congo
Back to All Opportunities

The Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0 is back with a mission to empower Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Organized by Zenith Bank Plc, this edition of the pan-African startup competition offers innovators across the continent the opportunity to secure funding, gain expert mentorship, and join a structured incubation program designed to accelerate business growth.

Program Overview

  • Program Name: Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0
  • Organizer: Zenith Bank Plc
  • Organizer Website: https://www.zenithbank.com
  • Program URL: https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonbusinesspitch/
  • Category: Competition, Event, Incubator, Funding Opportunity
  • Application Deadline: 31 October 2025

About the Initiative

The Zecathon 5.0 aims to identify and support scalable, technology-driven startups across Africa. The initiative encourages early-stage founders who are leveraging digital solutions to tackle pressing local and continental challenges. Winners will access not only financial rewards but also mentorship and incubation to refine their business models and strengthen their impact.

Funding and Rewards

  • Total prize pool of ₦70 million
  • Up to ₦30 million for the overall winner
  • Additional cash prizes for runners-up and category winners
  • A 6-week incubation program for shortlisted participants, featuring guidance from leading mentors and industry experts

Eligibility and Focus Areas

The competition welcomes early-stage African startups that demonstrate innovative approaches and measurable potential for growth.

Target Stage:

  • Pre-seed
  • Seed (early-stage with MVP or traction)

Target Sectors:

  • FinTech (Payments & Lending)
  • InsurTech
  • EdTech
  • E-commerce/RetailTech
  • Cybersecurity
  • AgriTech
  • HealthTech
  • Logistics/Mobility
  • FMCG
  • ClimateTech

Target Regions:

  • All African countries

Program Benefits

  • Access to mentorship from industry leaders
  • Exposure to investors and business partners
  • Networking with a vibrant community of innovators
  • Incubation support to refine business models and scale operations

How to Apply

Interested founders can learn more and submit their applications directly through the official program page:
👉 https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonbusinesspitch/

Applications close on 31 October 2025.

The Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0 continues to champion Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering promising startups access to funding, mentorship, and incubation. With its continent-wide reach and strong focus on innovation, the initiative plays a key role in fostering sustainable business growth across diverse sectors and regions.

Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0: Startup Pitch & ₦70m Prizes