ECOWAS PRESIDENT HAILS YOUTH INNOVATION, AWARDS $50,000 TO TOP STARTUPS AT FARI 2025 10-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has commended the creativity and resilience of young African innovators as he presented cash prizes totaling $50,000 to three standout startups at the close of the African Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI 2025) in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The event, which marked the climax of the five-day forum as part of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, recognized groundbreaking solutions proposed by young entrepreneurs across the region.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Eazy Chain won the top prize of $25,000 for its innovation aimed at streamlining maritime transport in West Africa.
Ghana’s Code Club Academy came second, earning $15,000 for developing a mobility solution for the visually impaired, while FESAM from Benin secured $10,000 for designing an instant cervical cancer screening kit.
Speaking in the presence of Benin’s Minister of Higher Education, Eléonore Yayi Ladekan, who represented President Patrice Talon, Dr. Touray described FARI as a platform that reflects the spirit of unity, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
“FARI embodies the core values necessary for sustainable development and progress on the continent. I am pleased to witness such vibrant collaboration among scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s future,” he stated.