Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge Crowns Mehtic Technology Winner at RACE 2026
The Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge concluded at the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference and Expo (RACE 2026), bringing together regulators, investors, fintech leaders, policymakers and startup founders from across Africa. Held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the event showcased some of the continent’s most promising technology startups while reinforcing Africa’s growing influence in the global innovation ecosystem.
The regional competition culminated in Mehtic Technology, developer of the BankPlus Core Banking Infrastructureplatform, securing victory and earning the opportunity to represent the region at the Startup World Cup Global Finals in Silicon Valley.
Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge Showcases African Innovation
Organised through a partnership between RegTech Africa and Pegasus Tech Ventures, the Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge featured 15 startups selected from hundreds of applications submitted across Africa.
The finalists represented key sectors including fintech, regulatory technology (RegTech), artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and GovTech. During the competition, each startup presented its solution before a panel of judges, investors and ecosystem leaders.
Judges assessed participants based on innovation, scalability, commercial viability, business sustainability, social impact and presentation quality.
RACE 2026 Strengthens Africa’s Regulatory Technology Ecosystem
Beyond the pitch competition, RACE 2026 served as a platform for discussions on Africa’s evolving regulatory and digital transformation landscape.
The three-day conference featured panel sessions, workshops and policy roundtables involving regulators, financial institutions, venture capital firms, compliance professionals and technology entrepreneurs. Together, participants explored practical approaches to advancing digital financial services, regulatory innovation and technology adoption across the continent.
The event further strengthened collaboration between public institutions and private sector stakeholders working to modernise Africa’s financial ecosystem.
RegTech Africa Highlights Global Opportunities for African Startups
Speaking during the event, Cyril Okoroigwe, Chief Executive Officer of RegTech Africa, said the organisation remains committed to creating pathways that connect African startups with international markets and investors.
“At RegTech Africa, our mission has always been more than convening conversations—it is about building an active, enabling infrastructure for the African startup ecosystem. Through platforms like the Startup World Cup Regional Challenge, we are deliberately creating pathways for Africa’s most promising innovators to gain global visibility, access to capital, and the strategic partnerships they need to scale.”
He added that bringing regulators, investors and entrepreneurs together creates opportunities that strengthen both individual businesses and Africa’s broader financial technology landscape.
Mehtic Technology Advances to Silicon Valley
Following a competitive evaluation process, Mehtic Technology emerged as the winner of the Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge.
The company, which developed the BankPlus Core Banking Infrastructure platform, will now compete at the Startup World Cup Global Finals in Silicon Valley, United States. There, startups from around the world will compete for a $1 million investment prize and opportunities to secure strategic international partnerships.
Its selection highlights the growing maturity of African fintech innovation and the increasing global recognition of startups building enterprise technology solutions on the continent.
RACE 2026 Signals Growing Momentum for Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
Reflecting on the event, Belinda Nkechi Idinmachi, Startup World Cup Ambassador, described the conference as an important milestone for African innovation.
“RACE 2026 exceeded every expectation we had for it. From the quality of conversations in the conference halls to the electric energy of the Startup World Cup Pitch Day, what unfolded at the Presidential Villa over those three days was a genuine statement about where Africa stands in the global RegTech and fintech conversation.”
As RACE 2026 concluded, RegTech Africa reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Africa’s regulatory technology ecosystem through stronger partnerships, startup support programmes and international collaboration.
The success of this year’s Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge sets a strong foundation for future editions while creating new opportunities for African startups to compete and scale on the global stage.
