Ecobank InnovateX Program 2026 (Win Up to N5 Million)
Job Description
Ecobank InnovateX Program 2026 (Win Up to N5 Million)
Applications are open for InnovateX 2026, a nationwide innovation challenge powered by Blaze by Ecobank, giving young Nigerian students an opportunity to develop solutions to real problems across finance, technology, business and society.
Participants will compete in teams, receive access to mentorship and industry experts, and pitch their ideas through regional or virtual selections. The competition offers financial prizes, with the winning team receiving ₦5 million.
About InnovateX 2026
InnovateX is Blaze by Ecobank’s flagship innovation challenge for young Nigerians. The programme brings together students, entrepreneurs, innovators and builders to transform promising ideas into practical solutions.
Participants will work in teams of four and compete under one of two major innovation tracks. Selected teams will progress through screening and regional pitching before the grand finale.
The programme combines:
- Innovation and problem-solving
- Team-based project development
- Bootcamps and practical learning
- Mentorship from industry professionals
- Regional pitching
- Access to Ecobank’s innovation ecosystem
- Funding for top-performing teams
About Ecobank
Ecobank is a pan-African banking group providing banking and financial services across multiple African markets. In Nigeria, the bank serves individuals, businesses and institutions through traditional and digital financial services.
InnovateX is powered by Blaze by Ecobank, an initiative focused on connecting young people with financial services, innovation and development opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
The programme information states that applications are open to tertiary students nationwide between the ages of 16 and 25 who possess a valid school ID.
Applicants should:
- Be students of a Nigerian tertiary institution
- Be between 16 and 25 years old for the competition application
- Possess a valid school ID
- Form a team of four members
- Be Nigerian citizens
- Have an innovative idea addressing a relevant problem
- Open and maintain an active Blaze account
- Select one of the available competition tracks
- Submit their project idea during the application period
The programme page also refers more broadly to young entrepreneurs aged 16–30, but its specific application criteria state 16–25 for tertiary-student applicants.
Innovation Tracks
Teams can compete under one of two tracks.
Track A: Inclusive Finance
This track focuses on ideas that can improve financial services and experiences.
Areas include:
- Credit solutions for youths
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Financial inclusion solutions
- Payment innovation
- Gaming and loyalty
- Customer experience enhancement
Track B: Creative Economy
This track covers solutions across the wider digital, creative and commercial economy.
Areas include:
- Education
- Entertainment and creator economy
- Service hubs
- Social innovation
- E-commerce
- Transport and logistics
Financial Prizes
Top-performing teams will receive:
- 1st Place – ₦5,000,000
- 2nd Place – ₦4,000,000
- 3rd Place – ₦3,500,000
- 4th Place – ₦2,500,000
- 5th Place – ₦1,000,000
The five listed prizes total ₦16 million.
Other Benefits
Beyond the competition prizes, participants can gain access to:
- Mentorship and industry experts
- Internship opportunities with Ecobank
- NYSC placement opportunities
- Visibility to the Ecobank Innovation Team
- InnovateX ambassador kits
- Free debit cards
- Practical innovation and pitching experience
- Networking and professional exposure
Regional Selection
Shortlisted participants will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas at regional activations or participate virtually.
Physical regional activations are expected at:
- Lagos – Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
- South East/South South – University of Port Harcourt
- FCT/North – University of Abuja
How to Apply
Interested applicants should:
- Form a team of four members.
- Open and maintain an active Blaze account.
- Choose either the Inclusive Finance or Creative Economy track.
- Complete the InnovateX online registration.
- Submit the team’s project idea within the application window.
- Await screening and shortlisting.
Successful teams will proceed through the selection stages toward the grand finale.
Grand Finale: 30 October 2026