Nigeria strengthened its position as a leading destination for African financial technology and regulatory innovation as the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference and Expo (RACE 2026) concluded with a major regional startup pitch competition at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The three-day event brought together regulators, policymakers, financial institutions, investors, technology companies and startup founders from across Africa to discuss the future of digital finance, regulatory technology and innovation. The gathering provided a platform for stakeholders to examine some of the continent’s most pressing challenges around financial regulation and digital transformation.
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One of the central highlights was the RegTech Africa Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge, organised in partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures. The competition brought together 15 startups selected from hundreds of applications across Africa, with companies developing solutions in fintech, regulatory technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and GovTech.
The participating startups were assessed on innovation, scalability, revenue potential, business sustainability, societal impact and the quality of their presentations. The competition was designed not only to identify promising African companies but also to connect founders with investors, ecosystem leaders and international opportunities.
Mehtic Technology emerged as the winner of the Abuja Regional Challenge with its BankPlus Core Banking Infrastructure platform. The Nigerian competition winner will advance to the Startup World Cup Global Finals in Silicon Valley, where startups from around the world will compete for a $1 million investment prize and strategic international partnerships.
The outcome highlights the growing capacity of African technology companies to develop solutions for the continent’s financial and regulatory challenges. It also demonstrates the increasing importance of platforms that connect African startups with international capital, expertise and markets.
RegTech Africa Chief Executive Officer Cyril Okoroigwe said the organisation’s objective extends beyond hosting conferences, with its programmes aimed at creating infrastructure that enables African startups to access capital, global visibility and strategic partnerships.
The partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures reflects the growing international interest in Africa’s fintech and regulatory technology ecosystem. By combining the regional competition with RACE 2026, organisers created a direct link between African innovators and a global startup platform.
The conference also provided opportunities for regulators and private-sector stakeholders to exchange views on how technology can improve compliance, strengthen financial systems and support broader digital transformation across African economies. As RACE 2026 concludes, RegTech Africa said it will continue developing startup programmes, policy engagement initiatives, conferences and international partnerships aimed at strengthening Africa’s regulatory and financial technology ecosystem.
The Abuja Regional Challenge adds another pathway for African startups seeking to move beyond local markets and compete on the global technology stage, while reinforcing Nigeria’s role as an important centre for fintech, entrepreneurship and digital innovation on the continent.