Ecobank FIntech challenge 2017 winners revealed

The top three innovators of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2017 have been revealed. They are IroFit, Kudi Inc and One Finance.
However, all 20 finalists were officially inducted into Ecobank Innovation Fellowship programme with access to start-up funding worth up to $500,000
A search to find Africa’s top 20 innovators concluded in an exciting final battle as contenders vied to be named the Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2017’s top innovator.
Ecobank, a pan-African banking group, launched the competition in January in a bid to find the continent’s most promising financial technology entrepreneurs and give them the nurturing and financial support necessary to grow into African success stories.
The contest was open to start-ups and developers across all 54 African countries and the results were truly astounding with more than 850 entries from all over Africa, as well as Europe, North America and Australia.
These were whittled down to 20 finalists who were each invited to showcase exhibitions about their products at an Innovation Fair & Awards 2017, held at the global headquarters of Ecobank in Lomé, Togo on June 21, 2017.
Ade Ayeyemi, Ecobank group CEO, said “As the leading pan-African bank, Ecobank is committed to transforming the banking sector and promoting financial inclusion through innovation. Fintech is the catalyst to achieve these objectives; that is why we are committed to investing in the African fintech industry to drive this agenda.
“It’s a win for the Fintech start-ups, the bank and Africa. Congratulations to our overall winners IroFit, as well as runners-up Kudi Inc and One Finance. However the true prize is for all 20 finalists, as we will be working to ensure their future success via our Ecobank Fintech Fellowship.”
Eddy Ogbogu, Ecobank group executive for Operations and Technology, added: “Our agenda to transform Ecobank into an innovation bank within the growing global digital economy, will be driven by the fintech start-ups we are investing in. We believe in Africa, we believe in the capability of African innovators and the private sector to drive Africa’s transformation. That is why we are committed to invest in Africa’s innovators to drive our transformation – a true pan-African success story.”
Ecobank Fintech Challenge was designed in partnership with the advisory firm Konfidants and supported by several partners across Africa and the world.