By Juliet Ehimuan
The energy at the Zenith Bank Plc Tech Fair was palpable as ideas transformed into tangible, scalable solutions during this year’s Zecathon 5.0. The annual innovation showcase, now in its fifth edition, underscores Zenith Bank’s commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs, offering them not just financial support but a structured ecosystem of mentorship, guidance, and long-term opportunities.
This year, Beyond Limits Global served as the official implementation partner, supporting participating teams through every stage of the journey—from initial preparation to final pitch readiness. With a focus on providing clarity, strategy, and confidence, the organization helped teams refine their concepts while staying true to their original vision.
The event brought together an exceptional panel of judges, including Onwudiwe Cyprian Okeke, Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho F.SCGN, Femi Taiwo, Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, Odunayo Eweniyi, Anil Atmaramani, and Abayomi Awobokun. Their expertise and thoughtful evaluation played a pivotal role in determining the winners and providing constructive feedback to all participants.
Mentors and ecosystem partners also played a crucial role, offering guidance and support that strengthened the teams’ strategies and presentations. Their contributions were widely recognized as key to the fair’s success.
The finalists delivered strong, innovative pitches, showcasing solutions that address real challenges across Africa. As these ventures move into the incubation phase, there is significant anticipation surrounding their potential impact, with expectations that they will contribute meaningfully to the continent’s growing technology and innovation ecosystem.
Zecathon 5.0 serves as a vivid reminder that the future of African innovation lies in the hands of its young entrepreneurs—equipped with funding, mentorship, and the opportunity to turn ideas into impactful solutions that can scale globally.