Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and digital transformation with the successful conclusion of Zecathon 5.0, its flagship innovation competition, held during the Zenith Tech Fair 2025.
The programme attracted thousands of applications nationwide and culminated in the deployment of ₦140 million in prize funding, reinforcing Zenith Bank’s position as a major institutional supporter of Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighting strong public and private sector alignment in promoting homegrown innovation.
Zecathon Evolves with Hackathon Track
The 2025 edition further cemented Zecathon’s reputation as a startup launchpad, with the strategic introduction of a highly competitive Innovation Hackathon track.
From hundreds of submissions, 20 teams of developers and designers were selected to participate in a rigorous three-day sprint, focused on delivering practical, scalable solutions across key sectors through rapid problem-solving and technical execution.
Zenith Bank’s Vision for Innovation
Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described Zecathon as a strategic investment in Africa’s future.
“Our mission is to empower innovators with the resources and support they need to build ventures that solve real challenges and accelerate Africa’s digital and economic growth. Zecathon remains the essential platform where bold ideas are transformed into market-ready solutions,” she said.
Winners and Prize Highlights
In the Innovation Hackathon, TrustLoop, a digital KYC and liveness verification solution, emerged winner, securing the ₦30 million top prize. Other finalist teams—Konfam, The Very Hacked Men, Zenith IntelliScore, and ZeraX—each received ₦10 million in recognition of their innovative solutions.
The Startup Pitch Competition, which featured early-stage ventures in fintech, edtech, and healthcare, also showcased strong innovation. Cubbes, an education technology startup, emerged overall winner, taking home ₦30 million, while Venille, Sowota, Invopay, and Flow each received ₦10 million as runners-up.
Strengthening Africa’s Innovation Pipeline
Commenting on the outcomes, Fikun Aluko, Head of Tech & Entrepreneurship Programs at Beyond Limits Global, praised the quality of solutions presented.
“This edition proved the power of investing in platforms that bring visionary institutions and entrepreneurs together. The teams delivered solutions with real potential to advance digital transformation across the continent,” he said.
Conclusion
With Zecathon 5.0, Zenith Bank continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing innovation, empowering startups, and accelerating Africa’s digital economy—demonstrating how institutional leadership can translate into tangible impact for the tech ecosystem.
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