HubPharm Africa has won the top prize at the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards, securing $30,000 in equity-free funding to support the growth of its chronic care and clinical pharmacy services.
The Lagos-based healthtech company emerged first among 60 finalists from 12 ECOWAS member states. Its recognition gives further attention to technology-driven solutions that can improve access to healthcare across West Africa and beyond.
The awards attracted 8,679 registrations from startups working across EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, CleanTech and Tourism. The competition was organised by the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with the Pan African Alliance of Small and Medium Industries and West African investment promotion agencies.
HubPharm Africa took the largest share of the $65,000 regional prize pool. Senegalese startup Gaynako received $20,000 for second place, while Côte d’Ivoire-based My Opinion took third place with $15,000. Baykart from The Gambia and Afrikan Coders from Cape Verde completed the top five finalists.
Funding to Strengthen Chronic Care Services
The award provides HubPharm Africa with additional resources to build on its work in chronic disease management. The company provides clinical pharmacy consultations and medication supply services for people living with long-term conditions.
Its services focus on conditions including hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell disease. The company has been operating for 28 months and currently serves more than 10,200 chronic care patients across Nigeria and 11 international markets.
Accepting the award in Abuja, Tope Kareem, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of HubPharm Africa, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for recognising healthtech solutions with the potential to expand across Africa.
The recognition also places HubPharm within a wider regional ecosystem designed to help promising businesses access capital, mentorship and new markets.
The second ECOWAS Startup Awards received entries from across the region before evaluators selected finalists in the six technology and business tracks. The programme highlights the growing role of startups in addressing economic and social challenges within ECOWAS member states.
For HubPharm Africa, the funding can support its continued expansion while helping the company reach more patients who need regular access to medication and professional pharmacy support.
Regional Support Beyond the Prize Money
The ECOWAS initiative goes beyond the cash awards. The programme provides selected startups with access to a six-month acceleration programme, investor deal rooms targeting up to $5 million in total deals, and the newly launched ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy.
Dehpue Yenpea Zuo, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, stressed the importance of creating businesses capable of generating impact across borders. The focus, he indicated, goes beyond the value of the initial prize.
Peter Oluonye, Acting Director of Private Sector and Industry at the ECOWAS Commission, also confirmed that the regional body will monitor how the funds are used by the winners.
The additional support gives the winning startups an opportunity to develop their businesses beyond the awards ceremony. It also connects them with investors, mentors and regional business networks.
For HubPharm Africa, the combination of funding and regional support comes as the company continues to expand its chronic care services. Its first-place award also places healthcare innovation at the centre of this year’s ECOWAS startup programme.
The broader awards programme reflects ECOWAS’s effort to support emerging businesses while creating stronger links between entrepreneurs, investors and institutions across West Africa.
