By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Three Senegalese startups
have been selected to represent the country at the 2nd edition of the ECOWAS
Startup Awards, scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from September 28 to
30, 2026.
Gaynako, Diabong Corp and
KAARAANGE Kids emerged from a national selection process organised by the
Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital through its Evaluation, Support and
Coordination Commission (CEAC).
The National Pitch brought
together 20 pre-selected startups, which presented their solutions before a
jury comprising key players from Senegal’s entrepreneurship and innovation
ecosystem.
Among the jury members was
Abdou Mbacké Lô, Head of Innovation and Startup Support at the Agency for the
Development and Supervision of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ADEPME).
Following the evaluation,
the three startups were selected to represent Senegal at the regional
competition, highlighting the diversity of solutions being developed by
Senegalese entrepreneurs and their potential to compete and gain visibility
beyond the national market.
Their selection also
demonstrates the growing participation of Senegalese startups in regional
innovation platforms and efforts to strengthen the country’s presence within
the West African technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
ADEPME congratulated
Gaynako, Diabong Corp and KAARAANGE Kids on their selection and wished them
success at the ECOWAS Startup Awards in Abuja.
The regional awards will
provide the three startups with an opportunity to showcase their solutions on a
wider platform and compete alongside emerging businesses from across the ECOWAS
region.
