Winners Emerge in VISA/Cc-Hub Financial Literacy Apps Challenge

“Money TALKS”, a financial platform where users can get audio tutorials in multiple languages on specific financial issues that Nigerians face was declared the finest app by judges at financial literacy bootcamp organised by VISA in conjunction with Co-Creation Hub Nigeria yesterday.

The app developed by young talented developers led by Francis Osifo came first among six apps demonstrated at the one Bootcamp and developed under 48 hours.

At the boothcamp three top teams garnered cash prizes totaling N2,960,000, with the first team going home with N1.2 million.

The Bootcamp had six teams building prototypes of web/mobile apps and games to teach money management skills and support the advancement of financial literacy among Nigerians.

Holly Jones, business development manager, VISA (Nigeria) told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the Company was motivated into organizing the competition enlighten the public on financial savings and e-transactions.

She said that the challenge was part of corporate social responsibility of the world famous payment solution provider.

Jones said: “We are here to contribute our quota towards deepening financial literacy in the country. We are not just here to issue cards out via the banks, rather the development of the eco-system means a lot to us. We want the knowledge to be built especially at the grassroot level. 

“When we approached CC-Hub we wanted it to be a very broad app that can cover segments of people in the society; as children should be educated likewise the adult”.

Commenting on the apps developed at the boothcamp she described them as amazing and very impressive. “It was very impressive that they could develop such apps in 48 hours. They have the knowledge and technical know-how,” she added.

The VISA business development manager, added although winners have emerged however, the Company will not relent until the apps are fully developed and deployed into the market soonest.

Oh his part, Femi Longe, director of Programmes, Cc-Hub, said that, the basic criteria for selecting the apps were based on their ability to solve societal needs, flexibility, adaptability and accessibility.

“The judges looked at what could the apps solve in the society. Although they were developed in 48 hours, but how impacting could they be on the society? Could we say in the nearest future that Nigerian are financially literate due to the deployment of the app. These were parts of the criteria,” he noted.

Longe added that is it heartwarming that Nigerians could provide apps geared towards solving local challenges and meet global standards.

The six apps and games developed at the camp are, "Money Life- a stimulation game that involves user's budgeting, earning, saving spending accumulated funds around real life scenarios.

"Money TALKS is also a platform where users can get audio tutorials in multiple languages on specific financial issues that Nigerians face.

"NairaSaver- a money saving and management tips app for Nigeria where people share & vote on money saving tips.

Others are, "Financial IQ, which is also financial management and financial products from different service providers".

They are apps on localisation and digitalisation of "Junior Achievement Nigeria's Business and Community board games for school children and MarketTrader, also a financial literacy game targeted at the literate children of illiterate and semi - literate children artisans, traders and other micro-entrepreneurs.

Cc-Hub Nigeria is a social enterprise committed to bringing together stakeholders from different walks of life to work collaboratively on solutions to social challenges facing Nigerian society.