 concluded successfully after three days of discussions, networking, and collaboration focused on the future of regulatory technology, fintech, and digital innovation across Africa.){kind=link}
The 2026 edition of the RegTech Africa Conference and Expo (RACE 2026) concluded successfully after three days of discussions, networking, and collaboration focused on the future of regulatory technology, fintech, and digital innovation across Africa.
Hosted at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa in Abuja, the event brought together regulators, policymakers, investors, financial institutions, startup founders, technology experts, and industry leaders from different African countries. Participants explored key issues surrounding digital transformation, financial regulation, and innovation through panel sessions, workshops, and policy discussions.
One of the major attractions of the conference was the Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge, organised through a collaboration between RegTech Africa and Pegasus Tech Ventures. The competition served as a platform for promising African startups to showcase innovative solutions with global potential.
The regional challenge featured 15 startups selected from hundreds of applications submitted from across the continent. The participating companies represented sectors including financial technology, regulatory technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and government technology.
Each startup presented its business before a panel of experienced judges, investors, and ecosystem leaders. The evaluation focused on several factors, including innovation, scalability, commercial viability, sustainability, market potential, social impact, and presentation quality.
Speaking about the initiative, Cyril Okoroigwe, Chief Executive Officer of RegTech Africa, said the organisation aims to go beyond hosting industry events by creating practical opportunities for African entrepreneurs. He noted that platforms such as the Startup World Cup Regional Challenge help innovative startups gain international exposure, attract investment, and build strategic partnerships needed for long-term growth.
According to him, bringing regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs together under one roof creates an environment where collaboration can accelerate innovation and strengthen Africa’s financial and regulatory technology landscape.
The partnership between RegTech Africa and Pegasus Tech Ventures highlights growing international interest in Africa’s expanding fintech and regulatory technology ecosystem. By integrating the regional startup competition into RACE 2026, both organisations sought to connect African innovators with global investment and business opportunities.
The competition also generated significant excitement among conference attendees, with delegates, exhibitors, and investors actively engaging with the participating startups throughout the event.
After a competitive judging process, Mehtic Technology, the company behind the BankPlus Core Banking Infrastructure platform, emerged as the winner of the 2026 Startup World Cup Abuja Regional Challenge.
With this victory, the startup has secured a place at the Startup World Cup Global Finals in Silicon Valley, United States, where it will compete against startups from around the world for a $1 million investment prize along with opportunities to establish strategic international partnerships.
The company’s success reflects the growing strength of African fintech innovation and the increasing quality of startups emerging from the continent.
Commenting on the event, Belinda Nkechi Idinmachi, Startup World Cup Ambassador, described RACE 2026 as a major success. She said the conference featured meaningful industry discussions while the startup competition showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial talent emerging across Africa.
She added that the collaboration between RegTech Africa and the Startup World Cup has provided African founders with a valuable opportunity to present their innovations on a global stage, further strengthening the continent’s position in the international technology ecosystem.
As the conference concluded, RegTech Africa reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the continued growth of Africa’s regulatory technology and financial innovation sectors. The success of the Abuja Regional Challenge has also set a strong foundation for future editions of both the Startup World Cup regional competition and the RegTech Africa Conference and Expo.