Payaza, a prominent African fintech specializing in payment gateway solutions, has opened registrations for its third annual hackathon, with a focus on leveraging AI to advance financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Under this year’s theme, “AI-Powered Financial Inclusion for MSMEs: Empowering Small Businesses through AI-Driven Financial Solutions,” the hackathon calls on young tech enthusiasts to create innovative solutions aimed at breaking down financial barriers for MSMEs.
The Payaza Hackathon has become a key platform for nurturing talent and addressing critical financial challenges facing MSMEs in Africa. Each year, it brings together young developers and business strategists, encouraging them to develop tools that drive business growth and financial empowerment. The event’s AI-centered theme this year reflects Payaza’s mission to inspire future tech leaders and shape fintech’s evolution on the continent.
Since its launch, the hackathon has evolved to mirror the shifting needs of Africa’s fintech ecosystem. The inaugural event focused on enhancing customer experience in financial services, while last year’s theme, “Empowering Africa: Leveraging Regenerative AI for a Tailored Financial Journey,” explored AI’s potential in fintech innovation.
How to Participate
Participants interested in joining the hackathon must fulfill the following criteria:
- Team Formation: Each team must consist of 3-5 members, including a front-end developer, back-end developer, product manager, and an AI/machine learning engineer.
- Thematic Focus: Teams are encouraged to create AI-driven solutions that tackle MSMEs’ core challenges, such as financial access, scalability, and inclusion.
- Presentation Requirements: Teams must prepare a pitch and presentation document detailing their solution and how it addresses MSME financial challenges. The deadline for submission is November 8, 2024.
Finale and Cash Prizes
Selected teams will advance to the hackathon finale, where they will compete for top prizes: $5,000 for the winner, $3,000 for the first runner-up, and $1,500 for the second runner-up.
For registration and additional information, visit hackathon.payaza.africa.
