DIAMOND NEXT GEN
CHALLENGE
Following a selection process, three finalists will be invited to defend their solution in front of a jury of finance, investment, entrepreneurship and technology professionals at the Diamond Capital Convention 2026.
At the end of the final, the three finalists will share a total prize of 10,000,000 FCFA according to the ranking established by the jury
The winner of the 1st prize will receive the title of:
DIAMOND NEXT GEN WINNER 2026
The Challenge
The Diamond Next Gen Challenge seeks solutions that can address a real-world problem and have a measurable impact on the regional financial ecosystem.
Innovations may concern:
Access to finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs
Savings and investment
Financial inclusion
Payments and interoperability
Or any other innovation likely to sustainably improve the access, efficiency or quality of financial services in Central Africa
Solutions that facilitate the mobilization and movement of capital
Digital financing solutions
Financial data and scoring
Digital identification and KYC
Risk management
Artificial intelligence applied to finance
RegTech and compliance
Financial education
Financial infrastructure
Access to capital markets
Who can apply?
The Diamond Next Gen Challenge is primarily aimed at:
Startups and fintechs
Tech startups
Entrepreneurial teams formed
Spin-offs and projects from incubators, accelerators, universities or innovation centres
Start-ups developing innovation applicable to the financial sector
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, the application must meet the following conditions:
Be supported by a clearly identifiable company or entrepreneurial team
Proposing an innovative solution
Responding to a problem related to finance or the financing of the economy
Demonstrate its potential for application or deployment in at least one CEMAC country
Have at least a working prototype, MVP, pilot, or solution already on the market
Be able to clearly present its business model or trajectory towards a viable business model
Have a team capable of developing and deploying the solution
Be available to physically participate in the final in Douala if selected
Projects at the idea stage will not be eligible
What we are looking for
Above all, he will be looking for an innovation that combines:
A real problem + a relevant solution + a team capable of executing it + a potential for real impact.
The Problem
- What concrete problem are you trying to solve?
- Who is concerned?
- Why are current solutions insufficient?
The Solution
- How does your innovation work?
- What does it bring to the table that is different?
The market
- Who is it for?
- How big or important is the opportunity?
The proof
Do you already have:
- Users?
- Customers?
- A pilot?
- Income?
- A partnership?
- Measurable results?
The team
Regional potential
Selection process ?
Applications
Step 1
Please download the entry form and send it to info@diamondcapitalconvention.com with the subject line: “DIAMOND NEXT GEN CHALLENGE ENTRY”.
Preselection: TOP 10
Step 2
Applications are evaluated by a selection committee. The top 10 applications are selected for a remote audition.
Regulation & Trust
Step 3
At the end of the auditions, the jury selects the: DIAMOND NEXT GEN TOP 3
The three finalists are invited to Douala to defend their solution at the Diamond Capital Convention.
Selection criteria
Relevance of the problem and importance of the need
15%
Innovation and differentiation of the solution
15%
Feasibility and quality of execution
15%
Traction/Proof of Market
15%
Business model and sustainability potential
10%
Potential for economic and financial impact
15%
Potential for CEMAC-wide deployment
10%
Quality of the team
5%
The grand finale
That is 15 minutes per finalist and a final of about 45 minutes, excluding introduction and award ceremony.
The pitch must present:
The Problem
The Solution
What the 5 million FCFA will accelerate
The economic model
The potential for regional development
The company's vision
Proof that it works
Prices
A total endowment of ten million (10,000,000) FCFA will be distributed among the three finalists, without taking a stake in the capital of their companies.
Distribution of the allocation:
5,000,000 FCFA
1st PRIZE
Diamond Next Gen Winner 2026
3,000,000 FCFA
2nd PRIZE
2,000,000 FCFA
3rd PRIZE
The three winners will also benefit from:
- Visibility in the Diamond Capital Convention’s communications and highlighting to the investors and financial institutions present
- Access to DCC Capital Connect and targeted meetings with investors, banks or partners likely to support their development
The Diamond Next Gen Winner 2026 will also benefit from post-Convention strategic support from Almasi Capital & Advisory.
The jury
Investment
Banking and finance
Technology
Entrepreneurship
Financial institutions
The Capital Markets Ecosystem
Intellectual Property and Privacy
Applicants retain full ownership of their innovations, trademarks, technologies and intellectual property rights.
They must not disclose in their application any trade secrets, source codes or technical information the disclosure of which could compromise their intellectual property.
The information provided will be used for the organisation and evaluation of the Challenge.
Finalists will authorize DCC to share their name, company, and non-confidential features of their solution
Important
Participation in the Diamond Next Gen Challenge is free
It is independent of any booth acquisition, commercial offer or sponsorship formula of the Diamond Capital Convention.
The selection is based exclusively on the criteria defined by the Challenge.
Selection as a finalist or designation as a winner does not constitute either:
- Regulatory authorization or validation
- An investment guarantee
- A financing guarantee
- A commercial commitment on the part of ALMASI, THE DCC, the jury or its partners
Calendar
August 17, 2026
Applications open
August 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Closing
31 August 2026 - 4 September 2026
September 7, 2026
Announcement of the Top 10
8 - 10 September 2026
Hearings
September 11, 2026
Announcement of the 3 finalists