Acecore, a Nigerian climate-tech company, claimed the top award at the annual TC Battlefield startup pitching contest during Moonshot 2026 in Lagos. The event, backed by Yango Group, featured ten early-stage African ventures competing for a combined $17,500 in prize money. Acecore secured $10,000 for its AI-powered solar battery system, Powercell, which impressed judges with its design and potential impact. Supplya, a Nigerian buy-now-pay-later and inventory platform, placed second with $5,000, while Navidyn Limited took third with $2,500.
The Powercell system integrates locally produced solar batteries with an application that tracks energy usage and manages power distribution. This addresses Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages, where unreliable grids force households and businesses to rely on costly generators. The system’s local production also supports Nigeria’s efforts to cut dependence on imported energy solutions.
TC Battlefield, now in its fifth edition, remains a centerpiece of Moonshot, Africa’s largest technology gathering. Last year’s winner, Ulé Homes—a proptech startup helping users finance rent payments—demonstrated the contest’s growing influence. The 2026 event attracted over 7,500 participants across two days, with sessions on AI, fintech, and cybersecurity drawing packed audiences. The conference’s reach extended beyond the venue: attendees described Lagos Uber drivers asking passengers if they were heading to Moonshot, a sign of its cultural footprint. High-profile speakers including Fu’ad Lawal, Sir Demola Aladekomo, and Chude Jideonwo drew standing-room-only crowds.
Moonshot 2026: Africa’s tech hub thrives
The event functioned as both a showcase and a networking hub, where startups, investors, and policymakers engaged in direct conversations. TC Battlefield itself mirrored this energy, with founders presenting solutions to pressing challenges. Fertitude, an edtech company using gamified learning to teach math and science, and Qiqi Farms, a food distribution platform with cold-chain logistics, were among the finalists. The competition’s equity-free funding model distinguishes it from traditional venture capital, allowing early-stage founders to access capital without surrendering ownership stakes.
Moonshot 2026 also spotlighted broader developments in Africa’s tech sector. Herotel, South Africa’s third-largest fiber network operator, announced plans to sell wholesale access to its infrastructure to competitors. This move, required by regulators as part of its acquisition by Vumatel, aims to boost competition in underserved markets. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Banque du Caire’s upcoming IPO became 27 times oversubscribed, with retail investors demanding 9.29 billion shares for just 343.1 million available. The bank’s listing, priced at EGP 5.30 ($0.10) per share, reflects strong retail demand, though market prices upon trading may differ.
AI and fintech lead Moonshot discussions
Sessions at Moonshot explored the continent’s evolving tech priorities. Discussions on AI and fintech drew large audiences, reflecting these sectors’ rapid growth. Jessica Hope led a session on adapting AI tools to local needs, from healthcare diagnostics to agricultural planning. Nana Aisha and Victor Fatanmi examined how startups handle funding challenges in fast-growing industries. The standing-room-only attendance showed the urgency of these topics, with participants ranging from founders seeking investment to policymakers shaping regulations.
Informal interactions played a key role in supporting partnerships. Founders from past TC Battlefield winners reported that connections made at Moonshot led to pilot programs, strategic investments, and acquisitions. For instance, Ulé Homes secured a major investor within months of its 2025 pitch. The conference’s ability to create these real-time connections, through scheduled meetings or spontaneous conversations, remains a defining strength.
Cybersecurity discussions highlighted rising concerns over digital threats, including fraud and data breaches, as financial transactions and e-commerce expand. Commerce sessions focused on cross-border trade platforms enabling small businesses to reach global markets. The event’s physical footprint, exhibition halls running out of space and social media feeds overflowing with updates, reinforced Moonshot’s status as Africa’s premier tech gathering.
Startups tackle energy, food, and health gaps
Qiqi Farms, a finalist in TC Battlefield, demonstrated how technology-driven logistics can modernize food distribution. The platform connects farmers directly with markets while using cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses. By providing smallholder farmers with better pricing transparency and market access, the startup addresses a longstanding bottleneck in agricultural value chains. Fertitude, another finalist, presented a digital platform for reproductive health tracking, offering AI-driven guidance and specialist connections. The platform aims to improve access to care in regions where stigma or resource shortages limit options.
Lena, an edtech venture, showcased AI-powered games designed to teach mathematics and science to children. The interactive approach aligns with demand for affordable, scalable education tools in markets where school resources are often limited. The diverse range of solutions at Moonshot 2026 reflected the continent’s urgent challenges, from energy access to healthcare and education.
