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10 African innovators were awarded N140 million in cash prizes at the Fifth Edition of the Zenith Tech Fair, held on Thursday, November 20, 2025 in, Lagos.
The fair, themed; “Future Forward 5.0: Tech for Success – Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate,” featured a hackathon and startup pitch competition, drawing thousands of developers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts from across the continent.
The top prize of N30 million each went to Trust Loop, for its seamless digital KYC and liveness verification solution, and Cubbes Technologies Limited, for its AI-powered EdTech platform enhancing learning and career readiness. The remaining eight finalists—Venille Ltd, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, Zenith Intelliscore, The Very Hacked Men, Konfam, and Zerax—received N10 million each in non-dilutive funding, along with access to a six-week mentorship and incubation program running from December 2025 to February 2026.
Zenith Bank Group CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, praised the initiative and credited Founder Dr. Jim Ovia for the vision. She said, “Our theme this year, ‘Tech for Success: Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate,’ is very timely. The next technological breakthrough will not take a lifetime. It could emerge from any one of you in this room today. We are confident that this Tech Fair will produce innovators who will change the world, and we stand ready to support you to turn your ideas into reality.”
Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, added, “This fifth edition reflects our unwavering commitment to create value through technology, innovation, and talent development. My vision is to continue to empower the youth through technology, with the hope that one day we will produce the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos.”
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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the importance of empowering young Africans. “By 2050, half of the youth population in the world will be in Africa… We need to give them an opportunity and a space to fly,” he said, highlighting the potential for Lagos to become a global human capital hub.
The event also featured keynote addresses from Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director, M-PESA Africa; Jonas Kjellberg, Co-Creator of Skype; and Dr. Shivagami Gugan, AWS Chief Technologist for Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, alongside interactive panel sessions hosted by CNN Anchor Zain Asher.
Masterclasses by McKinsey & Company, Huawei, Check Point, and Microsoft offered insights into cybersecurity, cloud computing, and disruptive technologies. The fair also included a performance by Nigerian musician Spyro, showcasing the fusion of creativity and technology.
Zenith Bank remains committed to fostering an innovation ecosystem, providing capital, mentorship, and global scalability opportunities for African tech leaders, complementing its award-winning record in banking excellence, digital solutions, and corporate governance.
