Nigeria’s Dr Obichi Obiajunwa has been named Ecosystem Startup Coach of the Year at the 2025 Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards in Addis Ababa. The event took place from November 15 to 17 and is one of the continent’s leading gatherings celebrating the people who strengthen Africa’s innovation space.
Dr Obiajunwa is the Founder of Hutzpa Innovation Consulting and President of the Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship. He received the award for his contribution to innovation leadership, startup development, and research commercialisation across several African countries.
Over the last eight years, he has trained and mentored more than 5,000 innovators in 30 countries through eight major programs, including four he founded. His work includes national and international partnerships. He is the Chief Facilitator of the Research for Impact Program of TETFund where he helps researchers transform their academic output into market-ready solutions. He also designed and leads WIPO Nigeria’s IP Salaye Program, which trains NYSC members to build businesses using intellectual property rights.
Beyond this, he founded Obichi PitchLab, a venture development program that supports students and young researchers in commercialising their ideas. He also served as the first Program Manager for Israel’s Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers in Nigeria where he supported the development of prototypes and early-stage technologies in several sectors.
His work cuts across ecosystem design, startup coaching, research translation, and capacity building. These form a foundation for Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
ASEB 2025 recorded more than 2,600 nominations from 52 countries. Organisers noted that the growing number of nominations reflects the rising recognition of unsung ecosystem builders who continue to support founders behind the scenes.
The organisers also announced that the 2026 edition of the Summit and Awards will hold in Johannesburg, South Africa. It will be hosted under the new Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Society, a continental body launched in Addis Ababa to support and professionalise ecosystem development across Africa. Ethiopia has already been inaugurated as the first national chapter.
ASEB expressed interest in working with Dr Obiajunwa through partnerships, program development, and ambassadorial roles. “Your work continues to shape founders and the broader ecosystem in meaningful and lasting ways,” the organisers said. “This award is a testament to the lives you have touched and the commitment you show to African innovation.”
Dr Obiajunwa’s recognition comes at a time when Africa is experiencing steady growth in youth entrepreneurship and research-based innovation. His consistent work in nurturing talent and promoting commercialisation reinforces his place as one of the emerging leaders in the continent’s innovation landscape.
His win is likely to inspire many young innovators and ecosystem builders who are shaping the next generation of African enterprises.
