Zenith Bank Plc has rewarded 13 winners with a total of ₦190 million across three innovation competitions at the sixth edition of its flagship technology event, Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2026, as the lender intensifies efforts to promote technological innovation and support emerging African technology entrepreneurs.
The event, themed “AI: Embrace or Extinct,” was held virtually for the first time on Thursday, November 5, 2026, bringing together global technology leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on businesses, economies and society.
The ₦190 million prize pool represents the largest since the inception of the annual Tech Fair.
The 2026 edition featured three competitions: the Hackathon, Startup Pitch Competition and the newly introduced Future Innovators Challenge, which collectively attracted more than 3,000 entries from developers, entrepreneurs and secondary school students.
In the Hackathon category, Team Solo emerged overall winner, receiving ₦35 million, while 10x Brains came second with ₦20 million. Rumour Hunters placed third, winning ₦15 million, while Òmìnira and Team Avera finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with each receiving ₦10 million.
Similarly, Cutstruct Technology Limited emerged winner of the Startup Pitch Competition, taking home ₦35 million. Sproutly came second with ₦20 million, while PharmaRun secured third position with ₦15 million. AUI BRAND and ProDevs completed the top five, receiving ₦10 million each.
The Future Innovators Challenge, designed to stimulate technology-driven creativity among secondary school students, produced three winners.
Caleb British International School emerged first with a ₦5 million prize, followed by Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, which received ₦3 million. Regina Pacis International School came third with ₦2 million.
Some of the winning innovations are already addressing practical challenges across different sectors.
Cutstruct Technology Limited’s LiveVend platform connects property developers and contractors with suppliers to simplify construction procurement, while Sproutly uses financial technology to streamline school payment processes.
PharmaRun provides easier access to authentic medications through its network of pharmacies, while ReLearn, developed by Caleb British International School, redistributes used textbooks to students in underserved communities to make educational materials more affordable and accessible.
Beyond the cash rewards, the winners will participate in a six-week mentorship and incubation programme designed to provide expert guidance, strengthen their business models and prepare their innovations for wider market adoption.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, reaffirmed his commitment to empowering young people through technology and creating opportunities for African innovators to achieve global recognition.
“My vision is to continue empowering young people through technology, with the hope that one day we will produce individuals who make an impact on the scale of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos,” he said.
In her opening address, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, emphasised the need for businesses and individuals to embrace Artificial Intelligence and adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape.
She said the bank’s commitment to innovation was reflected in its investments in digital infrastructure, products and services, including its Zenith Intelligent Virtual Assistant (ZIVA).
Umeoji also highlighted the contribution of the bank’s fintech subsidiary, FinoPay, to the development of the SMART AfCFTA Portal, designed to facilitate intra-African trade.
She expressed confidence in Africa’s capacity to produce globally competitive technology innovators.
“The next generation of global AI champions can and should come from Africa,” she declared.
Urging participants to explore emerging technologies, she added: “Do not fear AI. Embrace it. Whether you are developing a solution for a farm, clinic, classroom or factory, dare to think big, build ethically and create scalable solutions.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended Zenith Bank for its contribution to technological advancement, describing the financial institution as a major driver of innovation in Nigeria’s business ecosystem.
“Over the years, Zenith Bank has been a strong driver and enabler of innovation, using technology to advance solutions and raise expectations for its employees, stakeholders and the wider business community,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s technology ecosystem through policies and opportunities that encourage innovation and ensure Lagos maintains its position as a leading technology hub.
Also speaking, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, represented by the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Professor Matthew Adepoju, praised the bank’s investment in technology and youth development.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in translating innovative ideas into commercially viable products, businesses and employment opportunities.
“When government and the private sector work in the same direction, ideas become products, products become businesses, and businesses create jobs for our people,” he said.
The event featured a distinguished lineup of international and Nigerian technology experts, including Zach Kass, former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI, who delivered the keynote address.
Speaking on the evolution of Artificial Intelligence and the growing emergence of autonomous agents, Kass challenged participants to consider the importance of human judgment, values and decision-making in an increasingly automated world.
“We are approaching a world in which we will have to ask ourselves, regularly and seriously: what do we want to keep human, and what are we willing to automate?” he said.
Other speakers included Mike Ogbalu III, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS); Deniz Oran, Head of Payment Partnerships for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Google; Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT); Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and Chinwe Uzoho, Regional Managing Director, West Africa, Network International.
Sessions were moderated by CNN Correspondent Victoria Rubadiri and other industry experts.
Conceived by Ovia, the Zenith Tech Fair has evolved into a platform connecting technology ideas, talent, investment and business opportunities, with a focus on providing emerging entrepreneurs with the resources and exposure needed to develop scalable solutions.
Previous beneficiaries have developed innovations with applications across different sectors. They include JumpnPass, which developed a self-checkout solution for retail businesses; CreditChek, which uses Artificial Intelligence and open banking to streamline credit verification; TrustLoop, winner of the 2025 Hackathon with its digital identity verification solution; and Cubbes Technologies Limited, winner of the 2025 Startup Pitch Competition with an AI-powered educational technology platform.
With the introduction of the Future Innovators Challenge, Zenith Bank has also extended its innovation support to secondary school students, highlighting the importance of identifying and developing technology talent from an early age.
The bank said its continued investment in the Tech Fair and other technology-driven initiatives was aimed at supporting the people, ideas and businesses expected to shape Africa’s digital economy through funding, mentorship and opportunities for growth.
Comment here