Young Nigerians with technology, business and creative ideas can apply for the Blaze by Ecobank InnovateX 2026, a nationwide youth innovation challenge offering a total of ₦20 million in prizes.
Powered by Blaze by Ecobank and supported by Ecobank, the challenge is designed to help young people develop ideas into practical solutions through mentorship, bootcamps, pitching and exposure to industry professionals.
The 2026 competition is open to tertiary students nationwide, with applicants expected to form teams, choose a competition track and submit their project ideas for screening.
What Is InnovateX 2026?
InnovateX is a youth innovation challenge focused on helping young Nigerians turn technology and creative ideas into viable projects.
The 2026 edition focuses on two broad areas: Inclusive Finance and the Creative Economy.
Participants will move through different stages of the competition, including registration, idea submission, screening, regional selection and the final pitch competition.
The programme also includes mentorship and bootcamp activities designed to help participants develop their ideas and improve their pitching and business skills
ELIGIBILITY
The specific application journey on the official InnovateX platform states that applicants should be:
- Aged 16 to 25 years.
- A tertiary student in Nigeria.
- A Nigerian citizen.
- In possession of a valid school identification.
- Interested in developing a technology, business or creative idea.
- Able to participate as part of a four-member team.
The competition is open to students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Applicants do not necessarily need to have a fully developed product before applying. The programme is designed to support participants as they develop and pitch their ideas.
Competition Tracks
Participants can choose from two tracks based on the problem they want to solve.
Track A: Inclusive Finance
This track is for participants developing solutions around financial services and access.
Areas listed under the track include:
- Credit solutions for youths
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Financial inclusion
- Payment innovation
- Gaming and loyalty
- Customer experience enhancement
Applicants should select this track where their idea addresses a problem connected to financial services or inclusion.
Track B: Creative Economy
The Creative Economy track focuses on ideas that connect creativity, commerce, community and services.
Areas include:
- Education
- Entertainment and creator economy
- Service hubs
- Social innovation
- E-commerce
- Transport and logistics
This track provides room for participants working on solutions beyond traditional fintech and banking applications.
How the InnovateX Journey Works
Applicants are expected to follow a number of steps before reaching the final stage.
1. Form a Team
Applicants are required to form a team of four members.
2. Have an Active Blaze Account
Each applicant is expected to open and maintain an active Blaze account, Ecobank’s youth-focused banking offering.
Ecobank’s Blaze platform is designed for young people aged 16–25 and provides access to banking products as well as entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities.
3. Choose a Track
Teams select either the Inclusive Finance or Creative Economy track based on their project.
4. Register Online
Teams complete the InnovateX registration process and submit their project information.
5. Submit the Idea
Applicants submit their project idea within the application period.
6. Screening and Shortlisting
Submitted ideas will go through screening before selected teams progress to the next stage.
Regional Selection
Shortlisted teams will have opportunities to pitch their ideas during regional activations or present virtually.
The 2026 programme lists three regional locations:
- Lagos: YABATECH
- South East/South South: University of Port Harcourt
- FCT/North: University of Abuja
Teams selected for the regional stage will have the opportunity to present their ideas as they compete for places in the later stages of the challenge.
₦20 Million Prize Pool
The 2026 InnovateX challenge has a total prize pool of ₦20 million, distributed among the top five teams
- 1st place: ₦5 million
- 2nd place: ₦4 million
- 3rd place: ₦3.5 million
- 4th place: ₦2.5 million
- 5th place: ₦1 million
The prizes are in addition to the programme’s mentorship, networking and development opportunities.
Other Benefits
Participants and finalists can also gain access to:
- Mentorship from industry experts.
- Innovation and business development support.
- Bootcamp and training sessions.
- Networking opportunities.
- Visibility to the Ecobank innovation team.
- Internship opportunities with Ecobank.
- Potential NYSC placement opportunities.
- Free debit cards.
- InnovateX ambassador kits.
The programme therefore combines competition with opportunities for participants to develop their ideas and build professional connections.
When Is the Grand Finale?
The InnovateX 2026 grand finale is scheduled for October 30, 2026.
Applicants should register early and follow the programme’s updates for information about screening, regional selection, bootcamps and subsequent stages
Application Deadline: October 30, 2026
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to apply.
