The 2025 Zenith Tech Fair in Lagos was a centrepiece of innovation this year, marked by excitement, inspiration, and forward-thinking energy as tech founders, developers, investors, and industry leaders converged for the grand finale of Zecathon 5.0, Zenith Bank’s flagship innovation challenge. The event served as a vibrant showcase for Africa’s brightest emerging talent, spotlighting innovative thinking and practical digital solutions that address real challenges on the continent.
Zecathon is more than just a competition; it’s a platform designed to identify, support, and celebrate visionary creators and entrepreneurs who are building the future of technology in Africa. From Nigeria to Ghana and beyond, thousands of innovators submitted their ideas, demonstrating ingenuity, technical skill, and the relevance of their solutions in real market conditions.
In her remarks, Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, reiterated the bank’s firm commitment to cultivating the next generation of tech leaders across the continent. “Zecathon continues to be a platform where bold ideas are transformed into real solutions,” she said. “Our mission is to empower innovators with the tools, resources, and support they need to build ventures that can solve real challenges and accelerate Africa’s digital and economic growth.”
The energy at the fair was unmistakable, with a packed audience and panels of judges composed of seasoned tech experts and industry veterans. A hallmark of this edition was the introduction of a dedicated Innovation Hackathon track, which brought together hundreds of developers, designers, and problem-solvers. Participants were pushed to perform under pressure, rapidly building working prototypes and presenting them to a live audience of influencers and investors.
From this intense three-day sprint, several standout teams rose to the top. TrustLoop, which developed a seamless digital KYC (Know Your Customer) and liveness verification solution, was awarded the top prize of ₦30 million for its technical strength and real-world applicability. Other finalists, including Konfam, The Very Hacked Men, Zenith IntelliScore, and ZeraX , each received ₦10 million for their exceptional contributions.
Alongside the hackathon, the Startup Pitch Competition showcased early-stage ventures from across Africa tackling meaningful problems in fintech, edtech, e-commerce, healthcare, and more. In a tightly contested pitch session, Cubbes, an education technology startup from Nigeria, emerged as the overall winner, taking home ₦30 million. Runners-up: Venille, Sowota, InvoPay, and Flow, each received ₦10 million in recognition of their innovative business approaches and potential to scale.
A major benefit of the Zecathon experience for all finalists is access to a six-week accelerator programme, designed to help teams refine their solutions, strengthen business models, and prepare for market entry or investment. Participants will receive mentorship, technical guidance, and networking opportunities with key industry stakeholders, support that is often critical to turning early ideas into thriving ventures.
At its core, Zecathon reinforces the idea that innovation thrives where opportunity meets support. The event not only rewards creativity with substantial cash awards but also strategically connects young founders with the ecosystem resources they need to scale. In recent years, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has attracted major venture investments, with startups in the country raising billions of dollars and creating jobs for thousands of young professionals, a testament to the growing economic importance of digital innovation.
Zecathon 5.0 reflects a broader trend: African innovations are no longer peripheral but central to economic transformation. Events like these contribute to strengthening the continent’s digital economy, increase startup competitiveness, and help integrate financial services, digital solutions, and entrepreneurial talent into mainstream growth strategies. By investing in innovators today, institutions like Zenith Bank are helping to forge the tech-driven economic landscape of tomorrow.
