Zenith Bank Zecathon 6.0 — Compete for ₦190 Million in Pan-African Prizes (Deadline: October 7, 2026)

 

If you're a developer, entrepreneur, or secondary school student with a bold tech idea, Zecathon 6.0 is Zenith Bank's flagship innovation challenge, and it's carrying the largest prize pool in the programme's history.

Zenith Bank Plc has unveiled Zecathon 6.0, the sixth edition of its flagship startup competition and innovation programme. Delivered in partnership with Beyond Limits, this year's edition carries a ₦190 million prize pool and introduces the Future Innovators Challenge for senior secondary schools, alongside the established Hackathon and Startup Pitch Competition.

Applications are free and open across Africa.

What Is Zecathon?

Zecathon is Zenith Bank's continental innovation challenge, now in its sixth year and run with Beyond Limits, an organisation focused on entrepreneurship development, tech ecosystem growth, and community empowerment. Zecathon continues to spotlight innovation across key sectors: FMCG, insurance, education, retail and e-commerce, payments, lending, cybersecurity, agriculture, health, and transportation and logistics.

The programme has grown each year. Zecathon 5.0 carried a ₦140 million pool and expanded beyond Nigeria for the first time, with hubs in Ghana, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone. Zecathon 6.0 pushes that further, to ₦190 million and three competition categories.

The Three Categories

1. Zenith Bank Hackathon

The hackathon invites developers, innovators, and designers to create cutting-edge banking solutions addressing critical challenges in the financial services sector. The Hackathon will challenge innovators to solve real-world banking problems with AI and other emerging technologies. It culminates in a 3-day live hackathon in Lagos, October 20–22, 2026.

2. Startup Pitch Competition

This track will showcase growth-stage ventures with scalable solutions, targeting early-stage African startups addressing challenges across sectors like education, healthtech, agriculture, retail, cybersecurity, and transportation.

3. Zenith Future Innovators Challenge (New)

A new addition this year, designed to inspire and equip senior secondary school students in Nigeria to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

How Much Can You Win?

Hackathon — Top 5 Finalists:

- 1st Position: ₦35 million

- 2nd Position: ₦20 million

- 3rd Position: ₦15 million

- 4th and 5th Position: ₦10 million each

Startup Pitch Competition:

- 1st Place: ₦50 million

- 4 Other Finalists: ₦10 million each

Future Innovators Challenge (Schools) — Top 3:

- 1st Position: ₦5 million

- 2nd Position: ₦3 million

- 3rd Position: ₦2 million

Together, these add up to the advertised ₦190 million total prize pool.

Is This a Grant or a Loan?

Neither. It's a competitive innovation challenge with cash prizes for top performers. There's no repayment obligation, but prizes go only to finalists, not to everyone who applies.

Who Can Apply?

Hackathon:

- Teams of 2–4 innovators building banking and digital finance solutions

- Applicants from outside Nigeria are welcome, provided they are citizens of African countries and can travel to Lagos for the live hackathon if selected

Startup Pitch Competition:

- Early-stage African startups with scalable solutions across eligible sectors

Future Innovators Challenge:

- Senior secondary school students in Nigeria

Across all tracks: participation is completely free of charge.

What You Need Before Applying

1. A team (for the Hackathon, 2–4 members)

2. A chosen track or problem statement, reviewed carefully before applying

3. A clear pitch, since you'll need to craft a clear and compelling presentation that communicates your idea, impact, and technical approach

4. Travel readiness, if you're outside Lagos. Teams attending the live hackathon are responsible for their own accommodation, though meals, refreshments, internet, and workspace are provided during the event

How to Apply for Zecathon 6.0

Step 1: Choose your category

Decide between the Hackathon, Startup Pitch Competition, or Future Innovators Challenge (schools only).

Step 2: Review the tracks and problem statements

Choose a track and review the hackathon tracks and problem statements carefully.

Step 3: Apply before the deadline

Entrants who apply before 7 October 2026 compete for a share of the prize pool. Some coverage lists the final application window extending to 13 October 2026, so apply early rather than waiting for the later date.

Step 4: Wait for shortlisting

Selected teams will be invited to participate in the Zenith Bank Zecathon 6.0 live hackathon in Lagos.

Step 5: Attend the live hackathon (if shortlisted)

Join the 3-day innovation sprint in Lagos, Nigeria, October 20–22, 2026.

Step 6: Pitch and compete

Present your solution to judges for a shot at the cash prizes.

Where to Apply

Official Landing Page:

👉 https://beyondlimits.global/zecathon6/landing/

Hackathon:

👉 https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonhackathon/

Startup Pitch Competition:

👉 https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonbusinesspitch/

Important Notes

- Deadline: October 7, 2026 for the main application window (confirm on the official page, since some reports cite October 13).

- Applications are completely free. Never pay anyone claiming to guarantee your selection.

- Travel and accommodation for the Lagos hackathon are your responsibility if shortlisted, though meals, workspace, and internet are covered during the event itself.

- This is a well-established, credible programme, now in its sixth year, run directly by Zenith Bank and Beyond Limits, and covered by TechCabal and Nairametrics.

Tips for a Strong Application

Pick a track that matches your real strength. Review all problem statements before committing, since a well-matched team does better than a broadly-skilled one chasing the wrong track.

Build toward a working demo. A working demo may be developed later during the hackathon, but come in with a strong concept and technical plan.

Use AI and emerging tech deliberately. Solutions that leverage AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI, or other emerging technologies to solve financial challenges are explicitly encouraged for the Hackathon track.

Prepare your pitch early. Craft a clear and compelling presentation that communicates your idea, impact, and technical approach well before the live event.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Missing the October 7 deadline by waiting for a later date that may not apply to your track.

- Applying to the Hackathon as a solo founder instead of a 2–4 member team.

- Forgetting to budget for your own accommodation in Lagos if shortlisted.

- Submitting a vague idea instead of a clear, technically grounded solution.

- Assuming secondary school students can enter any track other than the Future Innovators Challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to apply?

No. Participation in Zecathon 6.0 is completely free of charge.

Can non-Nigerians apply?

Yes, for the Hackathon and Startup Pitch Competition, applicants from outside Nigeria are welcome, provided they are citizens of African countries and can travel to Lagos if selected.

Who can join the Future Innovators Challenge?

Senior secondary school students in Nigeria.

How much is the total prize pool?

₦190 million across all three categories.

Do I need a team?

For the Hackathon, yes, teams of 2–4 innovators.

Will my travel be covered?

No. Teams attending the live hackathon are responsible for their accommodation, though meals, refreshments, internet, and workspace are provided during the event.

Where do I apply?

👉 https://beyondlimits.global/zecathon6/landing/

Official Links

Zecathon 6.0 Landing Page:

https://beyondlimits.global/zecathon6/landing/

Hackathon Application:

https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonhackathon/

Startup Pitch Application:

https://beyondlimits.global/zecathonbusinesspitch/