The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Nigeria, in partnership with Tripoint Travel Limited and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, has concluded the Nigerian leg of the GEC+ Africa Regional Pitch Competition, with three outstanding startups earning the opportunity to represent the country in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year.
The competition, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Ozumba Mbadiwe in Lagos, featured 10 entrepreneurs pitching innovative business ideas before a panel of judges and ecosystem stakeholders. The three winning startups will compete at GEC+ Africa under the theme "Connecting Africa", where they will engage with investors, policymakers, Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs), and fellow entrepreneurs from across the continent.
The regional pitch competition forms part of GEN Nigeria's preparations for GEC+ Africa, which will take place in September 2026 in Cape Town. The initiative is designed to connect Nigerian entrepreneurs with investment opportunities, strategic partnerships and new markets across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Mr Kizito Okechukwu, Executive Head of 22 On Sloane and Co-Chair of GEN Africa, described GEC+ Africa as a Pan-African platform dedicated to strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems across the continent.
"GEC+ Africa brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and support organisations from across the continent. The objective is to create stronger connections that enable businesses t
o scale, investors to discover new opportunities, and policymakers to learn from successful initiatives across Africa."
He added that the broader goal is to deepen collaboration among African countries and create more opportunities for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand beyond their domestic markets.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Oluwatoyin Ahmed Edu, Executive Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the Bank of Industry (BOI), said the initiative aligns with the bank's commitment to supporting enterprise development and economic growth.
"MSMEs are the backbone of every economy. At the Bank of Industry, our core focus is supporting entrepreneurs through financing, advisory services, ecosystem development, and capacity building. Wherever MSMEs are being empowered, BOI will always be a willing partner."
He also stressed the importance of stronger intra-African collaboration, noting that greater economic integration would enable businesses to access larger markets, retain more value within the continent and accelerate economic development.
Dr Olawale Anifowose, Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, said the competition reflects the organisation's broader commitment to creating international growth opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
"GEN Nigeria, working closely with the Enterprise Development Centre, Bank of Industry, Tripoint Travel, and other ecosystem partners, remains committed to helping Nigerian entrepreneurs access global markets, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities."
He recalled that previous editions of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress had enabled Nigerian SMEs to participate in international exhibitions and forge new business relationships, adding that this year's GEC+ Africa would offer similar opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to expand across Africa.
According to the organisers, the selection process assessed participants based on innovation, scalability, market traction and their potential to create jobs while boosting intra-African trade.
With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continuing to unlock opportunities across the continent, stakeholders said stronger regional collaboration is increasingly important for businesses seeking cross-border growth. They noted that GEC+ Africa is expected to provide a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, ESOs and policymakers to collaborate while showcasing Africa's growing innovation ecosystem to global audiences.
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