Business Post Contributor
Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, Interswitch, has successfully concluded the second edition of its Technovation competition, a hackathon aimed at nurturing innovation and creativity among its employees. The initiative showcases Interswitch’s commitment to fostering innovation and creating impactful solutions that address diverse challenges across the African continent.
The competition, which spanned several weeks, provided a unique platform for Interswitch employees to explore their problem-solving capabilities and devise innovative solutions to real-world problems. With a strong focus on technology-driven advancements, this program provided participants with the necessary tools, mentorship, and a platform to develop groundbreaking ideas and transform them into viable prototypes.
Following a review of numerous entries, five teams were shortlisted to compete at the grand finale. The chosen teams include Paystars, The Innovators, Team Spark, Team Flash, and The Pioneers who pitched solutions focused on healthcare, food and financial technology.
At the end of the keenly contested pitch session which took place on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Team Flash emerged winner of Technovation 2.0, receiving N1,000,000. Team Spark followed closely behind in second place, wining N750,000 and Team Paystars emerged in third place, winning the sum of N500,000.
Interswitch recognizes the immense potential within its workforce and is dedicated to unlocking the creative genius of its employees. By providing a conducive environment for innovation, the company continues to harness the collective brilliance and expertise of its staff members to drive positive change in various sectors, including finance, e-commerce, healthcare, oil and gas and transportation, among others.
Speaking on the successful completion of the Technovation 2.0, Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing & Switching (Interswitch Purepay) emphasized the significance of empowering employees to design solutions that address Africa’s unique challenges.
He said, “At Interswitch, we firmly believe that the key to driving meaningful change in Africa lies in nurturing and empowering our talented people. The Technovation 2.0 competition is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our unwavering belief in the transformative power of technology. By supporting our staff members in their pursuit of groundbreaking solutions, we aim to create a brighter future for Africa.”
Throughout the competition, participants were encouraged to avidly explore novel approaches to tackle complex problems. Leveraging Interswitch’s extensive industry expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the developers devised ingenious solutions that hold the potential to revolutionize various sectors and improve the lives of millions of people across Africa.
The grand finale ended on a high note as participants and other Interswitch employees were treated to an exciting after-party.
As an organization deeply rooted in Africa, Interswitch understands the unique challenges facing the continent and is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in developing solutions to these challenges and driving the growth and development of the continent. The Technovation competition serves as a testament to Interswitch’s unwavering commitment to creating innovative solutions that address Africa’s most pressing needs, ultimately contributing to the continent’s overall advancement.
