MTN MonMo has shared $10,000 to
the persons that won the first edition of its hackathon in Lagos.
Christened MTN MoMo Hackathon,
the grand prize of $5,000 went to Oluwapelumi Yusuf emerging for inventing Rova
Pay which incorporates MoMo APIs with features that transcend payment
processing.
Rova Pay offers customers the
convenience of making transactions anytime and anywhere using automated USSD,
which eliminates the need for internet services and manual code dialing.
Also, Marvis Igbokwe partnered
with Favour Ajie Divine to develop MoMo Cash, coming in second place with a
cash prize of $3,000 while Isaac Odinaka Franklin’s solution, Clique Plus Pay,
won third place with a cash prize of $2,000.
The event which was held at Four
Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted tech developers,
entrepreneurs, and innovators from various sectors, focused on developing
solutions to accelerate financial inclusion and digitization of payments in
Africa.
Speaking on the importance of the
MoMo Hackathon in the fintech industry, Chief Commercial Officer, MoMo PSB,
Elsa Muzzolini, said: “At MoMo, we stand firm in our belief that innovation
thrives not just within our brand, but within the collective of stakeholders.
That is why we are equipping developers with the tools and resources necessary
to expedite reaching individuals who are excluded from financial access or
believe that financial services are not tailored to their needs. Our commitment
to fostering financial inclusion is a collaborative effort. By making MoMo
accessible to innovators across Nigeria, we enable them to leverage its full
potential in developing applications that hold the power to transform lives.”
Upon receiving his prize, excited
Yusuf said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have won the MoMo Hackathon
2023. My motivation for conceiving this solution was born during my visits to
rural communities in Nigeria, where I witnessed the limitations imposed by the
need for internet connectivity to access basic applications, particularly for
payment purposes. I recognised the need to bridge this gap and support
financial inclusion.”
In addition, the top 12
participants received gifts and an invitation to the Pan African grand finale
to represent Nigeria in the MoMo Hackathon.
The hackathon provided a unique
opportunity for developers across 14 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda,
Eswatini, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Conakry, Zambia, Benin, Liberia, South
Africa, and South Sudan to further shape the future of digital finance and
empower millions of people with access to comprehensive and life-changing financial
services.
MoMo Hackathon continues to be a
driving force in the advancement of financial technology, creating
opportunities for talented individuals to make a meaningful impact on the
industry.
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