Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its flagship innovation platform.

Themed “Festival of the Future.” The grand finale will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key players in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem for an immersive celebration of ideas, technology and the possibilities shaping the future.

Beyond the much anticipated announcement of this year’s Hackaholics Finalists, the event will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and conversations exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.

Designed to go beyond the traditional innovation competition, the Festival of the Future will provide a platform for participants and attendees to experience emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, connect with industry players and engage in conversations about the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world. The event will also recognise and celebrate outstanding innovators whose ideas have demonstrated the potential to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact.

Speaking on the significance of the grand finale and the inspiration behind the Festival of the Future, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, explained that the concept builds on the Bank’s commitment to creating a future of possibilities while encouraging Nigerians to take a more active role in shaping that future.

“The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming industries, businesses and everyday life, creating opportunities that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. The question is no longer simply what the future holds, but how prepared we are to shape it.

“This thinking inspired the Festival of the Future. We want to create an experience that brings innovation closer to people, encourages meaningful conversations and challenges us to think differently about how we will live, work, build and create in the years ahead,” he said.

Reaffirming Wema Bank’s commitment to supporting innovation and empowering young Nigerians, Oseni noted that Hackaholics has continued to evolve beyond a competition into a platform for discovering talent, nurturing ideas and connecting innovators with opportunities.

“Since we launched Hackaholics, our goal has remained consistent; to provide young Nigerians with the platform, resources, opportunities and support they need to transform their ideas into practical solutions. We believe that the future of innovation in Nigeria must be driven by the talent, creativity and potential of our people.

“With Hackaholics 7.0, we are taking that commitment further. Beyond recognising outstanding ideas, we want to bring together the people, conversations and experiences that can inspire the next generation of solutions. Our ambition is to continue building an ecosystem where innovation thrives, possibilities are unlocked and Nigeria is better positioned for the future,” he added.

Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,”Hackaholics 7.0 commenced with a nationwide pitch centre tour designed to discover and support innovative ideas from young Nigerians across different regions of the country.

The four-month tour attracted 5,329 participants and 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres hosted across seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

Through three distinct tracks; the Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact, the initiative provided opportunities for students, graduates, technology enthusiasts, developers and social innovators to present solutions addressing challenges across different sectors. The Ideathon focused on promising ideas, the Hackathon provided a platform for technology developers and builders, while the Social Impact track recognised solutions designed to deliver measurable value to society.

At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various pitch centres, reflecting the diversity of ideas, talent and innovation discovered throughout the programme.

As Hackaholics 7.0 progresses towards its final stage, the 59 finalists will be further shortlisted to 20, who will present refined versions of their solutions at the Pre-Pitch scheduled for November 4, 2026.

On November 5, the participants will embark on an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, providing an opportunity to visit other top institutions within the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the grand finale.

The journey will culminate on November 6 at the Festival of the Future, where the top innovators will be recognised and celebrated.

Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to economic development.

Boost Africa, a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), supported by the European Union, is launching “From Capital to Impact,” a communications campaign highlighting the achievements of the initiative and the experiences of innovative Nigerian businesses supported through its venture capital investments.

Running from 1 November to 31 December 2026, the campaign will bring the impact of
Boost Africa closer to the public through entrepreneurial success stories, investment
insights, digital storytelling and media engagement.

Launched to address financing challenges facing innovative African businesses, Boost Africa has helped strengthen the continent’s venture capital ecosystem by investing in funds that provide financing and strategic support to promising startups and growing enterprises.

The initiative demonstrates how development finance can help mobilise private investment and enable businesses to develop solutions, expand operations, reach new markets and create employment opportunities.

Putting Businesses and People Behind the Numbers

At the heart of the campaign are stories of Nigerian businesses whose growth journeys
illustrate the wider impact of investment.

The campaign will feature companies including Daya, ChipMango and TradeDepot, highlighting their innovations, entrepreneurial journeys and experiences working with venture capital funds supported by Boost Africa.

From developing cross-border financial infrastructure to strengthening digital commerce and creating opportunities for technology talent, these businesses demonstrate how investment can support solutions to real economic and societal challenges.

Through founder interviews, beneficiary success-story videos, digital content and editorial features, the campaign will explore not only the financing received by businesses but also the expertise, networks and strategic support that help them grow.

From Investment to Measurable Impact

Boost Africa’s achievements extend beyond the capital committed to venture funds.

According to EIB-reported results as of December 2023, the initiative had invested €88 million, supported approximately 15,000 jobs and helped mobilise nearly €400 million in additional investment across Africa.

These figures illustrate the potential of development finance to catalyse private investment and strengthen the businesses contributing to Africa’s economic transformation.

The campaign will connect these broader achievements with the experiences of Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, employees and customers, demonstrating how investment translates into tangible opportunities.

Amplifying Africa’s Entrepreneurial Success Stories

The From Capital to Impact campaign will feature a coordinated programme of social media storytelling, video documentaries, thought-leadership articles and online media publications.

It will also provide perspectives from venture capital fund managers on the importance of patient capital, technical expertise, business networks and investment partnerships in helping African enterprises scale.

By making investment outcomes more visible and accessible, the campaign aims to
strengthen public understanding of Boost Africa’s contribution to entrepreneurship,
innovation and sustainable economic development.

The central message is simple: the true value of investment is reflected not only in the capital deployed, but in the businesses strengthened, opportunities created and
impact made possible.

About Boost Africa

Boost Africa is a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank and the African
Development Bank, supported by the European Union. The initiative promotes
entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa by supporting venture capital funds investing in innovative startups and growing businesses, alongside complementary technical assistance and ecosystem support.

Media Contact

European Investment Bank
Press Office
press@eib.org
www.eib.org

Ecobank Nigeria has announced the Top 20 finalists for InnovateX 2026, its flagship youth innovation challenge powered by Blaze by Ecobank in partnership with Verve. The finalists emerged from a competitive selection process involving 168 teams, comprising 672 undergraduate students from 90 universities across Nigeria.

The grand finale, scheduled for October 30, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Lagos, will see the finalists compete for top honours and a share of the ₦20 million prize pool. Five teams will emerge as winners, while the remaining 15 teams will receive consolation prizes and further exposure within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

InnovateX is a youth innovation and entrepreneurship challenge designed to empower young Nigerians to develop and pitch innovative solutions to real-world challenges across banking, technology, business and society. The initiative provides a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas, compete for financial support and access opportunities for mentorship, skills development and career advancement.

The Top 20 finalists represent diverse sectors, including financial technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital services, education, and enterprise solutions. Among the selected teams are IncluFi, Aselabs, Team Vhorde, Jolt, Kredo, Levromat, Konvoy, Impact, Barrow and Leopard Skin.

Designed for young people aged 16 to 25, InnovateX 2026 attracted aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. Beyond financial support, participants stand to benefit from mentorship, skills development, industry exposure, networking opportunities and national recognition.

The selection process culminated in regional hackathons held in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, where participating teams pitched their ideas before panels of industry experts, technology leaders and innovation mentors.

InnovateX provides a platform for engaging emerging talent and encouraging entrepreneurship, connecting Ecobank with promising young Nigerians while reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation and youth empowerment.

Speaking on the initiative, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “InnovateX reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators by providing access to the resources, networks, and opportunities they need to transform bold ideas into scalable and impactful ventures.”

Through initiatives such as InnovateX and Blaze by Ecobank, the Bank continues to create opportunities for young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, advance innovative ideas and contribute to economic growth across Nigeria and Africa.