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How Did MTN MoMo Hackathon Winners Create Financial Magic for Financial Inclusion

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MoMo Hackathon 2023 was a stage set for innovation, collaboration, and financial brilliance. Developers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Nigeria converged to showcase their skills, creativity, and determination to create innovative applications using MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) APIs. After intense competition, the spotlight shone on the winners, and they answered the $10,000 question: How did they create financial magic?

  1. Winner: Rova Pay

Oluwapelumi Yusuf emerged as the winner of the MTN MoMo Hackathon 2023, clinching the prestigious USD 5,000 cash prize. His invention, Rova Pay, was a testament to his innovative prowess and ability to leverage MoMo’s APIs uniquely.

Rova Pay introduces an innovative method allowing users to conduct transactions effortlessly, anytime and anywhere, using automated USSD. This technology eliminates the necessity for internet access and manual code dialling, offering enhanced convenience to customers.

Yusuf expressed that Rova Pay extends financial services to marginalized communities facing internet accessibility challenges. He aimed to ensure that individuals without internet connectivity could benefit from digital financial services.

Yusuf demonstrated how, with MoMo’s advanced APIs (V2.1 – Notification, KYC, Auth. and V2.2 – Channel as a service), one could create a mobile application that redefined financial transactions and user experiences. His solution was not just a piece of technology; it was a vision of a more accessible and efficient financial future for Nigerians and Africans.

  1. The Second Runner UP: MoMo Cash

While Oluwapelumi Yusuf took home the grand prize, the second runners-up, Marvis Igbokwe and Favour Ajie Divine, also made their mark, receiving USD 3,000  for inventing MoMo Cash.

Inspired by the need to create a system that awards both consumers and producers, MoMo cash is a solution that rewards consumers who perform MoMo tasks with MoMo coins that they can leverage to pay bills or run other transactions.

Their projects showed that financial magic is not exclusive to the winner’s circle. These developers demonstrated an exceptional knack for harnessing MoMo’s APIs to address real-world fin-tech challenges.

  1. The Third Runner UP: Clinique Plus Pay

Isaac Odinaka Franklin’s solution, Clinique Plus Pay, won third place with a cash prize of USD 2,000.

Clinique Plus Pay is a platform designed specifically for healthcare institutions. The solution enables patients to save toward healthcare, offering them the option to accumulate funds in their MoMo wallet that they can utilize when in need of medical care.

Isaac’s motivation for Clinique Plus Pay originated during his service year at a military hospital. He observed the difficulties healthcare workers encountered in accessing soldiers’ medical records. This discovery sparked his idea to develop a digital platform for storing medical histories. For Isaac, integrating the MoMo payment system was key to improving the solution, enabling patients to pay for healthcare services.

Isaac’s solution integrated MoMo APIs and illustrated the ingenuity and resourcefulness that financial technology developers can offer. Clinique Plus Pay was a standout solution at the hackathon as it addressed an important, but often overlooked sector -healthcare.

What’s Next for MoMo PSB?

The MTN MoMo Hackathon 2023 was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of innovation and a glimpse into the future of financial technology. The event underscored MoMo’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting developers in their quest to create financial solutions that make a positive impact.

MoMo PSB is fostering financial inclusion and innovation in Nigeria. By providing a platform for developers to utilize MoMo’s capabilities, the brand aims to create opportunities for growth and drive financial services to the next level.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Eyitayo Iyortim Appointed new President of AfTLD

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A Nigerian, Mrs. Eyitayo Iyortim, has been appointed as the new chairperson/president, Africa Top Level Domains [AfTLD].

Eyitayo Iyortim, AfTLD

According to a report by Techeconomy, AfTLD confirmed the appointment, by the Organisation Executive Committee, of Mrs Iyortim from Nigeria (.NG) as the Chairperson of the Executive Committee and President of the Organization.

She will be deputized by Prof Idrissa Sarr, vice president and the manager of the.SN ccTLD.

Mr Joel Karubiu from Kenya (.KE) continues as the Treasurer.

The newly elected Executive Committee members are Mr. Molehe Wesi, Chief Executive Officer .ZA Domain Name Authority (.ZA) and Deo Gratias Tonouhewa Manager JenySAS operator (.BJ).

Other members of the Executive Committee include Ms. Grace Ingabire, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Information and Communications Technology Alliance (.RW), and Mr. Molupe Molupe, Manager of Lesotho Network Information Centre (.LS)

Who is Eyitayo Iyortim?

Eyitayo Iyortim is the immediate past chief operating officer of the qA).

She has a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the University of Manchester, UK.

Eyitayo has over 20 years’ experience in Project Management, Training solutions, Talent Management Solutions,  Organisational Transformation, Culture re-enginerring, IT Sales and Services.

She has worked for local and global brands which includes SAP, focus on the Family, Nigeria Internet Registration Association to mention a few.

She also consults on ERP, Digitalisation and HR projects.

Eyitayo has worked in project teams for many top-tier organisations in Nigeria including NNPC, FIRS, Dangote, UAC, NLNG.

She is a member of the British Psychological Society with CPDs in Employee Management, Relationships at Work and Assessment Centre Management.

She is also certified in Ability and Personality testing, Project Management and Life Coaching.

AFTLD

AfTLD is recognized as the representative of country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) managers from Africa.

It is an active participant in the ICANN ccNSO, and also actively participates in various Internet governance fora with the African continent and beyond, including the IGF, where it has run a number of workshops.

With collaboration in Internet governance and development a cornerstone of the bottom-up policy development processes that make the Internet truly a multi-stakeholder phenomenon, AfTLD works in collaboration and partnership with other Regional Top-Level Domain Organizations (RTLDOs), these being APTLD, CENTR and LACTLD.


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MNOs Excite Telecom Consumers with Data Management Tips

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In a concerted effort to address widespread complaints about data depletion, Nigeria’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have collaboratively launched a consumer sensitization campaign aimed at providing practical guidance for more effective data management. This initiative is designed to enhance consumer satisfaction by helping subscribers optimize their data usage.

In a unified statement, the MNOs highlighted several smart data usage behaviors that can help prevent data depletion. These include disabling automatic app updates, enabling data saver mode, and closing unused apps to prevent background data consumption.

To prevent unauthorized access and strengthen data security, the MNOs advised consumers to use stronger passwords and regularly update their hotspot and Wi-Fi passwords to prevent unauthorized access. For a seamless video streaming experience, users should ensure they have sufficient data and turn off auto-downloads to effectively manage content consumption.

With the advent of advanced network technologies like 4G, LTE, and the latest 5G, which offer ultra-fast data speeds and enhanced browsing and streaming experiences, the speed of data consumption and pattern have increased significantly. Consumers are encouraged to understand these changes and manage their data usage accordingly.

“It is important for consumers to familiarize themselves with the specific terms and conditions of their data plans,” the MNOs emphasized.

“Different plans cater to various needs, including weekend-specific plans, social media-only plans, and regular plans configured for night use only.”

For additional tips on smarter data usage and management, consumers should visit the NCC website at https://consumer.ncc.gov.ng or the official MTN website – https://www.mtn.ng/manage-data/


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Ijesha Digital Innovation Hub Set to Graduate First Cohort Trainees

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Ijesha Digital Innovation Hub has announced the graduation ceremony of its first cohort of trainees.

Ijesha Digital Hub

Ijesha Digital Hub

The landmark event will take place on Monday, July 8th, 2024, starting promptly at 2:00 PM at the Royal Park Hotel on the beautiful campus of Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesa.

In a press statement on Friday, Dr Adewale Alonge, Vice President, IGAD, said that after six months of intensive and globally benchmarked courses of study, “the hub is proud to graduate 48 trainees who have completed rigorous programs leading to certification in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and UI/UX Design. The graduating class includes 10 trainees in UI/UX Design, 23 in Cybersecurity, and 15 in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning”.

The ceremony will feature a keynote address by Sir Aladekomo, Chairman of SmartCity Resorts Plc and Founder of Chams Plc, a pioneer in the Nigerian tech industry.

“The event will be chaired by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the esteemed Asiwaju of Ijeshaland, who will also deliver remarks celebrating the achievements of the graduates and the impact of the Innovation Hub.

“The media is invited to cover this significant event, which marks a new chapter for the 48 graduates as they embark on their professional journeys equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge. This graduation is a testament to the hub’s commitment to providing skills development training today so that participants can build tomorrow”, Dr. Alonge said.

The Ijesha Digital Innovation Hub, an initiative of the Ijesha Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), is dedicated to advancing the social, economic, and industrial development of Ijesaland in Nigeria. IGAD, a Florida, US-registered tax-exempt non-profit organization, mobilizes the resources and talents of Ijesas across the globe to foster the development of their homeland.


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