{"id":11380,"date":"2026-02-23T14:23:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/?p=11380"},"modified":"2026-02-23T14:23:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:23:23","slug":"connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/","title":{"rendered":"Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 Now Open for Nigerian Startups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Applications are now open for the <strong>Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026<\/strong>, a national initiative powered by <strong>Ericsson<\/strong>, in collaboration with the <strong>Federal Government of Nigeria<\/strong> and <strong>Tech Revolution Africa<\/strong>. The programme aims to identify, support, and scale early-stage tech startups developing solutions to Africa\u2019s most pressing challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Startups across Nigeria have until <strong>10 March 2026<\/strong> to submit applications online. Selected teams will participate in an <strong>8-week acceleration programme<\/strong>, receiving mentorship, exposure, and access to strategic partners to help turn innovative ideas into sustainable, impact-driven ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Focus Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The hackathon welcomes startups innovating in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Telecommunications:<\/strong> Boost connectivity and digital access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FinTech:<\/strong> Enhance payments, banking, and financial inclusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HealthTech:<\/strong> Improve healthcare delivery and outcomes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AgriTech:<\/strong> Increase farming productivity and food security<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EdTech:<\/strong> Enhance learning and skills development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internet of Things (IoT):<\/strong> Enable smart systems through connected devices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CleanTech:<\/strong> Develop clean energy and environmental solutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI\/ML:<\/strong> Automate tasks and drive intelligent decision-making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustainability:<\/strong> Support social, economic, and environmental impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Benefits for Selected Startups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Startups chosen for the programme will gain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>An <strong>8-week intensive acceleration programme<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technical and business mentorship<\/strong> from industry leaders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to <strong>funding opportunities<\/strong> and investor networks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visibility through <strong>media coverage and ecosystem platforms<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Networking with <strong>government, corporate, and ecosystem stakeholders<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A chance to <strong>pitch live at Hackathon Demo Day<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Eligibility Criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply, startups must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Operate <strong>within Nigeria<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a <strong>minimum viable product (MVP)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrate <strong>measurable traction or pilot usage<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure <strong>gender-inclusive team composition<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> How to Apply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants can submit their entries through the official online form. After submission, confirmation emails will be sent. Only shortlisted or selected startups will be contacted for the next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Apply here:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org\/application\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 application form<\/a><br><strong>More details:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connect NextGen Hackathon official page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Deadline:<\/strong> 10 March 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian startups to gain mentorship, funding, and visibility while driving innovations that address Africa\u2019s critical challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may also like to read: <a href=\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/fugashua-reopens-2025-2026-registration-portal-for-7-days-what-new-and-returning-students-must-do-before-feb-27\/\">FUGASHUA Reopens 2025\/2026 Registration Portal for 7 Days \u2014 What New and Returning Students Must Do Before Feb 27<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applications are now open for the Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026, a national initiative powered by&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":11381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[8511,22561,22560,22558,8497,3077,22562,281,11456,8526,22559],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.13 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 Now Open for Nigerian Startups - Examkits<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Apply for Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026! Nigerian startups can join an 8-week acceleration programme. Deadline: 10 March 2026.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 Now Open for Nigerian Startups - Examkits\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Apply for Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026! Nigerian startups can join an 8-week acceleration programme. Deadline: 10 March 2026.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Examkits\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/examkitsofficial\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-23T14:23:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-23T14:23:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Connect-NextGen-Hackathon-2026-.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pius Precious\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@examkitsapp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@examkitsapp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pius Precious\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pius Precious\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/24a2cc209de881adfbc7822621e9f75a\"},\"headline\":\"Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 Now Open for Nigerian Startups\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-23T14:23:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-23T14:23:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\"},\"wordCount\":332,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"agritech\",\"AI\/ML\",\"CleanTech\",\"Connect NextGen Hackathon\",\"EdTech\",\"Fintech\",\"HealthTech\",\"innovation\",\"IoT\",\"Nigerian startups\",\"startup acceleration\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/connect-nextgen-hackathon-2026-now-open-for-nigerian-startups\/\",\"name\":\"Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026 Now Open for Nigerian Startups - Examkits\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/examkits.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-23T14:23:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-23T14:23:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"Apply for Connect NextGen Hackathon 2026! 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