Call For Applications: ECOWAS African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) Startup Competition 2025 for Startups
The African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) is the ECOWAS forum dedicated to the promotion of science, Technology, and Innovation. Its creation was the subject of a decision (A/DEC/.1/6/21) by the eighty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. This is the decision establishing and organizing the African Forum on Research and Innovation of ECOWAS (FARI).
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For this second edition, ECOWAS approved the establishment of the Jury for the selection of the three (03) best Start-ups in the regional competition and the Scientific Committee of the Forum. FARI-2025 involves the participation of start-ups, experts and Ministers of ECOWAS Member States in charge of Science and Technology, the President of the Republic of Benin (host country) and the Chairman-in-Office of ECOWAS.
Objective
- Select three (3) start-ups at the national level to take part in the regional exhibition during FARI;Award the three (3) best start-ups at the regional level.
Expected Results
- Three (03) start-ups at the national level are selected;T
- The three (03) start-ups selected at the national level participate in the exhibition during FARI.
- The three (3) best start-ups awarded at the regional level.
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Eligibility of start-ups
Start-ups must meet the following conditions:
- Come from an ECOWAS member country;
- Have their headquarters in an ECOWAS member country;
- Be less than five (5) years old;
- Respect the rules and deadlines for submission
The start-up competition
The competition is open to any start-up that meets the eligibility conditions. It takes place in two (02) stages:
– Step 1: Selection of national start-ups
Online via the official FARI website
The official website of the Forum is www.fari-ecowas.com
- Complete the online form and download the application file
- Submit the application file online (www.fari-ecowas.com) on the page dedicated to Startups
- Submission deadline: February 28, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. UTC
– Step 2: Final phase (designation of winners)
In person at the FARI-2025 edition
FARI-2025 will take place from May 5 to 9, 2025 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Start-ups that have passed
the national selection stage will be subject to the following tests:
- Exhibition of products, models or prototypes from the selected project
- Oral presentation of the project in 3 minutes in front of the jury. The program and the order of passage of each startup
will be published when the results of stage 1 are published.
Deadline: February 28, 2025