ISF Forum 2026 Names Citihoms as Headline Partner

In Short

• ISF Forum 2026 is scheduled for November 27–28 in Ibadan, Nigeria.
• Citihoms Finance Company has been named the headline partner.
• Organisers also announced a $10,000 pitch prize for startups.

What Happened

ISF Forum 2026, a Nigerian innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment event, will hold its fourth edition in Ibadan on November 27–28, 2026. The forum is being convened by Zeeh Africa CEO David Adeleke.

Citihoms Finance Company is the headline partner for this year’s event. Headline partner typically means a top-tier sponsor, with prominent branding and a stronger role in programming and visibility.

The organisers also announced a $10,000 pitch prize for startups. A pitch prize is a cash award given to founders who present their business to judges, similar to a timed demo plus Q and A.

TechCabal reported that ISF Forum 2026 will feature institutional partners including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Oyo State Government, and Impact Hub Ibadan. The report also said Iyin Aboyeji is expected to deliver the headline keynote, and that 18 Scale Without Borders Awards will be presented at the closing gala.

Why It Matters

For Nigerian founders outside Lagos, events in cities like Ibadan can improve access to investors, customers, and experienced operators. That matters in an ecosystem where deal flow and networks are still concentrated in a few hubs.

A $10,000 pitch prize is not a large seed round, but it can cover early costs like cloud credits, product testing, legal setup, and customer acquisition. It can also act as a signal for follow-on conversations with angels and venture funds.

Citihoms coming in as headline partner also shows that non-VC financial firms are still willing to back startup and SME communities, even as fundraising remains tighter across Africa.