WEMA Bank Hackaholics Hackathon 7.0 for Nigerian Startups and Innovators

If you are an African innovator or building a tech startup in Nigeria, you probably already know how tough it can be to take an idea from a rough sketch to a real-world product. Lack of early funding and market access kills many brilliant ideas before they even get a chance to launch.

Thankfully, Wema Bank is stepping up once again to change that. Applications are officially open for Hackaholics 7.0, the bank’s flagship open innovation platform. This year’s theme, “Powering Possibilities,” is bringing the biggest version of the competition yet, aimed entirely at providing the backing you need to scale.

What is it About?

Launched in 2019, Hackaholics has grown from a simple coding challenge into a massive African innovation ecosystem. For this 7.0 edition, Wema Bank has introduced three distinct participation tracks tailored to meet you exactly where you are in your journey:

• The Startup Pitch Competition: Built for existing startups and entrepreneurs ready to showcase their solutions, attract partnerships, and access growth markets.
• The Hackathon: Ideal for developers, designers, and engineers looking to build and deploy functional technology at speed.
• The Social Impact Track: A brand-new track for changemakers creating tech-driven solutions for pressing community and social challenges.

The programme is deeply focused on seven key verticals: Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Digital Transformation, Education, Sustainability, Social Impact, and the Future of Work. Following the application phase, Wema Bank will embark on a massive physical tour across 10 regional pitch centres in Nigeria, kicking off at the University of Uyo from July 15 to 17, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

The best part about Hackaholics is that it is heavily democratized. It is completely free and open to:

• All African and Nigerian youth, tech enthusiasts, creatives, and problem-solvers.
• Early-stage startup founders with a scalable, technology-driven product or concept.
• You do not need a Computer Science degree or a background in heavy coding to apply—as long as your idea or business effectively addresses one of the seven key sectors, you are good to go.

What You’ll Gain

Participating in Hackaholics 7.0 comes with massive leverage for your business:

• The Funding: Access to an expanded ₦150 Million grant prize pool to fuel your growth without giving up equity.
• Elite Mentorship: Direct training and hands-on guidance from seasoned industry leaders and tech founders.
• Market Access & Partnerships: Direct paths to test, validate, and potentially integrate your product within Wema Bank’s vast consumer markets.
• Unmatched Visibility: Media exposure, demo day access, and recognition in front of global investors.

Learn More: A well-written business plan can help you secure more funding, check out our list of available business plans

Deadline and Application Process

The application window opened on July 1, 2026. Because the national pitch tour kicks off mid-July, you need to act fast to ensure your team is locked into a regional bracket.

To apply, visit the official portal at hackaholics.wemabank.com. Click “Apply Now,” choose the track that best fits your concept (Startup Pitch, Hackathon, or Social Impact), and submit your team’s details. Don’t sleep on this chance to scale your product!

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