With ₦140 million in total cash awards, Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0 is back and better than ever, rewarding Africa’s most talented founders, developers, and innovators. The goal of Zenith Bank Plc’s fifth iteration of its premier startup competition and innovation program is to accelerate digital transformation in the continent’s fintech and emerging technologies industries.
Applications are open until October 31, 2025, and participation is completely free. This year’s event combines a startup pitch competition with a high-impact hackathon, giving visionaries a stage on which to create, develop, and present scalable digital solutions that address pressing issues.
According to Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, “Zecathon 5.0 represents the next leap in Zenith Bank’s journey of empowering innovators and driving Africa’s digital transformation. By introducing a full-scale hackathon alongside our startup pitch and incubation program, we’re creating an ecosystem where developers, dreamers, and founders can collaborate, compete, and ultimately build real solutions that shape the future of banking and business across the continent.”
The ZenithBankZecathon 5.0 will highlight innovation across diverse industries such as fintech, FMCG, insurance, education, retail and e-commerce, agriculture, health, payments, lending, logistics, and cybersecurity. Participants will have the opportunity to test their skills, gain mentorship from leading professionals, and receive exposure to investors and corporate partners.
Developers will be entrusted with creating innovative, next-generation finance and digital products in the Hackathon category. Emerging businesses showcasing scalable, problem-solving concepts with potential for both commercial and societal impact will compete in the Startup Pitch Competition.
The top winner in each category will get ₦30 million from the ₦140 million prize pool for Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0, while the four other finalists in each category will each receive ₦10 million. In addition to monetary compensation, each finalist will go through a rigorous six-week incubation program to improve their technology, polish their business plans, and get ready to launch their products onto the market.
This program serves as a springboard for long-term progress rather than just competitiveness. Finalists will network with important industry players, interact with mentors, and attend seminars taught by experts over the course of six weeks. It is anticipated that participants will depart the incubation with improved goods, workable company plans, and access to fresh capital and growth prospects.
Last year’s Zecathon 4.0 drew nearly 2,000 applications from across Africa and awarded ₦77.5 million in prizes to outstanding startups such as JumpnPass, CreditChek, and Salad Africa. These success stories demonstrate the tangible impact of Zenith Bank’s innovation initiative—many of these winners have since scaled their operations, gained investor interest, and expanded their market reach.
With Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0, the bank continues to reaffirm its role as a catalyst for Africa’s digital economy. By empowering innovators through financial support, mentorship, and visibility, Zenith Bank is helping shape the next wave of African tech leadership.
For developers, entrepreneurs, and founders looking to turn their ideas into real-world solutions, this is a rare opportunity to be part of a transformative ecosystem.
