DOBIISON Ghana Ltd was among 60 startups selected from 8,679 applications to participate in the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards 2026, showcasing Experience Africa in the Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Tech sector.
The programme combined a virtual masterclass from 21–25 September with pitching, exhibitions and stakeholder engagements at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, from 28–30 September 2026. It brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and development partners to support innovation and business growth across West Africa.
Bringing African destinations closer
Through Experience Africa, DOBIISON is using immersive 360° virtual tours and virtual reality to help people explore African destinations, heritage sites, attractions and places to stay.
For prospective travellers, understanding a destination before visiting can be difficult when the available information offers only a limited view. Experience Africa allows people to look around a location, explore its surroundings and develop a clearer sense of what to expect.
The platform gives tourism and hospitality businesses another way to present their spaces to potential visitors. By making destinations more accessible online, it aims to support discovery, build confidence and help people make more informed travel decisions.
At the awards, DOBIISON presented this approach through its pitch and exhibition, demonstrating how immersive technology can strengthen the connection between digital exploration and physical tourism.
Building for growth across West Africa
Regional expansion was a central focus of the programme. Under the theme “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem Development to Drive Market Access,” the awards encouraged participating businesses to consider how their solutions could serve markets beyond their home countries.
For DOBIISON, this aligns with the ambition to grow Experience Africa’s coverage and work with tourism stakeholders across the region. West Africa’s cultural heritage, landscapes and hospitality offer substantial opportunities for immersive storytelling and destination discovery.
The programme’s five-day masterclass addressed business models, regional market access, investment readiness, sustainability and pitch preparation. The physical event provided a platform to showcase solutions and engage with fellow founders, investors and institutions supporting the region’s startup ecosystem.
A platform for connection and collaboration
DOBIISON’s participation placed Experience Africa alongside innovations across six priority sectors, including financial technology, health, agriculture, education, clean technology and tourism.
It was an opportunity to share our work with a regional audience and contribute to the conversation about how digital tools can improve access to African experiences and create opportunities for local businesses.
We thank the ECOWAS Commission, its Directorate of Private Sector and Industry, the organising team and programme partners for the opportunity to participate. We also appreciate everyone who visited the exhibition and engaged with Experience Africa.
As we continue developing the platform, our focus remains on helping more people discover Africa through immersive experiences and supporting the destinations and businesses that make those journeys possible.
Interested in featuring your destination, attraction, or hospitality property on Experience Africa? Contact DOBIISON to explore a partnership.