Wema Bank names 21 finalists for Hackaholics 7.0 finale in Lagos

Wema Bank has named the 21 finalists who will compete at the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its youth and startup innovation contest, in Lagos on Friday, November 6, 2026.

The finalists are Dynalimb, Harthiq, Acceede, Vhorde, URI, Trarrk, SocialSign, RaverPay, All-Arbitrates, CitizensGage, Craft-Planet, FOID, PayByPalm, Niteonn, Nexa-AI, Neural-Forge, MamaAlert, JolliFlow, Becca, CropiQ and Middleman.

The finale, themed Festival of the Future, will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders and investors, according to the bank.

From 5,329 entrants to 21

This year's edition opened on July 1, 2026, and drew 5,329 participants who produced 1,632 ideas and solutions, the bank said. Pitches were held in Uyo, Kano, YabaTech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

From those centres, 59 participants emerged, and the Top 21 were picked after what the bank described as a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation.

The finale week began on Wednesday with a Pre-Pitch, where finalists presented refined versions of their solutions. On Thursday, participants went on an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, visiting technology institutions and meeting industry professionals ahead of the competition.

Wema Bank said Hackaholics, launched in 2019, has recorded more than 21,000 applicants, engaged over 50,000 participants, supported more than 10,000 startups across three countries and produced over 100 solutions from scratch.

For young Nigerians looking to build technology businesses, the contest is one of the few platforms that pairs visibility with access to investors and industry mentors. The bank frames it as a way to help local ideas compete in the global digital space.

What happens next

Outstanding innovators will be recognised at Friday's grand finale in Lagos. The bank did not say what prizes the winners will receive.