In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has awarded $50,000 to three young innovators at the 2025 African Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI), held in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
According to a statement released by the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication, the funding was given to support the most promising start-ups offering practical solutions to regional challenges.
EAZY CHAIN, a startup from Côte d’Ivoire, clinched the top prize of $25,000 for its innovation aimed at improving maritime transport across West Africa. Ghana’s CODE CLUB ACADEMY secured the second prize of $15,000 for developing a navigation aid for individuals with visual impairments. The third prize of $10,000 went to FESAM, a Benin-based startup, which created a rapid cervical cancer screening kit.
At the forum’s closing ceremony, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the significance of FARI as a platform for collaboration and innovation. Addressing attendees alongside Benin’s Minister of Higher Education, Eléonore Yayi Ladekan, who represented President Patrice Talon, Touray said:
> “FARI embodies the spirit of collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation—fundamental values for ensuring the progress and sustainable development of our beloved continent. I am delighted to see both young and experienced scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across West Africa gather to shape the future through innovation.”
The FARI 2025 event reinforced ECOWAS’ commitment to fostering scientific advancement and youth-led entrepreneurship in the region.
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