AI-Powered Financial Inclusion for MSMEs
Empowering Small Businesses through AI-Driven Financial Solutions.
*From 20th to 21st November, 2024
PRIZES TO BE WON
$5,000
Winner$3,000
1st Runner Up$1,500
2nd Runner Up(Terms & Conditions apply)
General Entry Requirements
- 1
You can only enter as a team of not less than 3 persons and no more than 5 persons.
- 2
Your mission: Conceive groundbreaking, unique solutions, ideas, and products in line with our theme “AI-Powered Financial Inclusion for MSMEs: Empowering Small Businesses through AI-Driven Financial Solutions.”
- 3
Problem Statement: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) face significant hurdles that hinder their ability to scale and thrive, impeding their growth and economic contributions. Download Case Study
The Goal: Using AI, develop innovative fintech solutions that address these challenges and empower MSMEs to thrive. The ideal solution should be Inclusive, Scalable and Impactful.
- 4
Craft a compelling presentation that showcases your innovative solution, addressing the problem statement to achieve the desired goal.
- 5
Submit the link to your presentation document with your application.
- 6
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the Payaza Hackathon 3.0.
Entry Requirements - Team
- 1
Must be a team of no more than 5 individuals consisting of at least one:
- Product Manager
- Frontend Developer
- Backend Developer
- AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Order of Events
View the Payaza FinTech Hackathon 3.0 schedule here
Are You Ready?
This is your chance to make a difference, innovate, and win big. Get ready to bring your A-game to the Payaza Hackathon 3.0!
WE ARE SPONSORED BY 25+ COMPANIES
JUDGES
Mustapha Garba
Director, forLoop Africa
Anuoluwapo Olayinka
CEO, Ignition Travels and Tour.
Prosper Otemuyiwa
CoFounder, EdenLife
Temitope Alabi
Co-Founder & CEO, Afriex
Adekola Aderinko
CIO, Optimus Bank
Ewere Diagboya
The First AWS Community Hero in Africa
Hussain Shehu
Senior Product Manager, Toptal
As a seasoned Senior Product Manager, I excel in driving growth and innovation through strategic product leadership and advanced technology integration. My expertise spans AI-driven solutions, workflow automation, and data analytics, enabling me to enhance operational efficiency and optimize user experiences
Dumebi Chienye
CEO & Author, Udohbe London
Dumebi Chienye-Okeke is a visionary entrepreneur with a solid foundation in law and a passion for creating meaningful impact. Starting her career as a PR professional for football clubs in 2019, Dumebi expanded her expertise to various sectors, including PR work for Langham Hall. She is the founder of the Okan Foundation, an NGO focused on social impact, and the owner of two businesses—one in events management and the other, UDOHBÈ London, a luxury home and body fragrance line—combining purpose with profit and driven by a commitment to both growth and positive change.
Collins Omokaro
Senior Investment Expert, UNIDO ITPO
Mr. Collins Osagie Omokaro is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience across investment promotion, trade advisory, strategy, business development, and program management within the private sector, public service, and development organizations. As Senior Investment and Technology Promotion Expert at UNIDO ITPO Nigeria, he leads initiatives that connect Nigerian businesses with global technology providers, driving sustainable growth across the ECOWAS region.
MENTORS
Evioghene Osifo-Whiskey
Chief Operations Officer, Bank78
Jessie Croffie
Lead Product Manager, Tribapay
Oladele Oloruntoba
Regional Lead, Innovest Afrika
Oluwafunsho Okubanjo
Engineering Manager, Deimos Cloud
Ifeoluwa Oyeleke
MD, Rove VV
SPEAKERS
Mr. Patrick Ilo
Chief Executive Officer, Petrocam Trading (Nig) Ltd.
Mr. Patrick Ilo, the honcho of fast-rising Energy Company – Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited, is a rare gem and exemplary leader, who is making a tremendous impact in the nation's cooking gas industry. His foresight and philosophy which accords utmost prominence to business integrity, has rubbed off well on Petrocam, and made it to thrive amidst fierce competition in the nation's LPG Bottling Plant business cosmos
Mr Patrick will be taking the topic: Breaking Down Barriers: Fintech Innovations for MSME Success
Oscar Onyema
Independent Non-Executive Director, Capital Market Expert.
At the helm of NGX Group, his leadership over the past three years has been instrumental in steering one of the leading capital market holding companies to new heights. With a focus on strategic planning and execution, Oscar Onyema has galvanized the team to enhance board efficiency and corporate governance, ensuring NGX Group remains at the forefront of market innovation.
He will be taking the topic: Fueling Growth: Innovative Fintech Solutions for MSMEs
Priyaranjan Midde
Principal Engineering Manager, Microsoft
A seasoned engineering leader with 19 years of experience in delivering innovative solutions leveraging the power of AI for various products such as Dynamics Field Services, M365, MSSales, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics AX. Passionate about building high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, and creating customer-centric products that solve complex problems. Skilled in C#, .NET, Blazor, MAUI, React, Microsoft Power Platform, Azure Data Factory, Azure HDInsight, Azure Data Lake, Azure API Management, Azure Service Fabric, and Azure Functions.
He will be taking the topic: From Idea to Innovation: Empowering MSMEs with Practical Software Engineering Strategies
Innocent Isichei
Managing Partner, ACIOE
At ACIOE, Innocent supports the regulatory and government engagement efforts of clients, enhancing their understanding of the policy environment in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. He previously served as the Director of Policy for Paystack Payments, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction and regulatory compliance efforts.
Innocent will be taking the topic: MSMEs and the Policy Puzzle: Navigating a Complex Regulatory Landscape
Daniel Meke
Chief of Staff, AMD
daniel Meke is a global operations and program management leader with 15+ years of experience in SAAS, semiconductors, and oil & gas industries across Africa, North America and Eurasia.
Daniel will be taking the topic: How AI Can Transform MSME Operations
Ekefre David
Chief Revenue Officer, CloudPlexo
At CloudPlexo, his team champions cloud security and cost management, harnessing his expertise in AWS Security to safeguard client operations. Educated with a Master of Science from the University of Leiden and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems from the American University of Nigeria, his foundation is solid in ICT and business processes.
David will be taking the topic: The Role of AI in Driving Financial Inclusion for MSMEs
Ifelade Ayodele
Co Founder, Blaaiz
With over eight years of experience in management consulting, banking, payments, and venture capital, Ifelade has helped financial services companies (fintech, mortgage, retail, commercial, and corporate banks) navigate complex challenges and opportunities in the digital age. He also has core expertise in technology transformation, business and financial modelling, go-to-market and growth strategies, cost optimization, risk management, credit decisioning strategy, and pricing.
David will be taking the topic: Navigating the Global Marketplace: Overcoming Challenges in Cross-Border Payments for Small Businesses.
Nnaemeka Clinton
Chief Innovation Officer, Africa Startup Festival
Nnaemeka Clinton is the CEO and Founder of Spark (also known as Spark Africa), the foremost startup and talent aggregator and a global events organizer, renowned for hosting two of Africa’s top tech gatherings: the Africa Startup Festival and the Africa Technology Expo. These events attract thousands of investors, founders, and tech talents, creating significant opportunities for investments and partnerships.
Dumebi Chienye
CEO & Author, Udohbe London
Dumebi Chienye-Okeke is a visionary entrepreneur with a solid foundation in law and a passion for creating meaningful impact. Starting her career as a PR professional for football clubs in 2019, Dumebi expanded her expertise to various sectors, including PR work for Langham Hall. She is the founder of the Okan Foundation, an NGO focused on social impact, and the owner of two businesses—one in events management and the other, UDOHBÈ London, a luxury home and body fragrance line—combining purpose with profit and driven by a commitment to both growth and positive change.
Dumebi will be taking the topic: The Role of Fintechs in empowering MSME’s
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Payaza Hackathon 3.0?
The Payaza Hackathon 3.0 is a competition that challenges individuals and teams to develop innovative solutions, ideas, or products related to fintech and payments.
When is the Payaza Hackathon 3.0 taking place?
The Payaza Hackathon 3.0 is scheduled for 20th and 21st of November, 2024.
Can I sign up a team?
Yes, team participants are welcome to join.
How many members can be on a team?
A team can consist of up to 5 individuals.
What are the prizes for the Payaza Hackathon 3.0?
The prizes include: - Winner: $5,000 and a chance to grow your idea into a profitable business at the Payaza Incubation program for 10 weeks - First Runner-Up: $3,000 - Second Runner-Up: $1,500
What are the general entry requirements?
Participants must create a presentation document of their solutions, ideas, or products. Pitch or presentation document can be uploaded to a chosen platform.
Is there a theme for the solutions, ideas, or products?
The theme for the Payaza Hackathon 3.0 is “AI-Powered Financial Inclusion for MSMEs: Empowering Small Businesses through AI-Driven Financial Solutions,” and all submissions must align with this theme.
What happens after I submit my application?
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the Payaza Hackathon 3.0.
Do I need to be an expert in fintech or payments to participate?
Expertise is beneficial and crucial to participating in the hackathon.
What are the criteria for judging the submissions?
Submissions will likely be judged based on factors such as creativity, innovation, potential impact, relevance to the theme, problem statement, and the quality of the presentation.
What is the problem statement for the hackathon?
Problem Statement: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) face significant hurdles that hinder their ability to scale and thrive, impeding their growth and economic contributions. The Goal: Using AI, develop innovative fintech solutions that address these challenges and empower MSMEs to thrive. The ideal solution should be Inclusive, Scalable, and Impactful. To download the case study click here.
When I win the Payaza FinTech Hackathon 3.0, what next
Additionally to the $5,000 grand prize, the winning team has the opportunity to tap into the Payaza Incubation program for 10 weeks in order to develop their idea into a profitable business.