MTN Zambia unveils Mobile Money Hackathon winners
In pursuit of its goal to contribute to bridging the financial divide, MTN Zambia has announced the winners of the 2020 MoMo Hackathon competition which was launched on 4th November 2020. Competitors were granted third parties access to MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) Access Programming Interface (API) platform accessible on https://momodeveloper.mtn.com/.
The open API enables developers and programmers to innovate on the platform and develop products and other innovative solutions to enable a wider range of digital solutions for MTN’s customers.
MTN Zambia now has developers and entrepreneurs across the country who participated in the MoMo API Hackathon and willfurther foster innovation to enhance financial inclusion. The Hackathon, run in partnership with COMVIVA (MTN’s Mobile Money technology partner) and BONGOHIVE, gave Zambian youth aged between 18 and 35 the opportunity to create innovative financial and transactional applications using the MTN MoMo API platform.
Commenting on the initiative, MTN Zambia Managing Director for Mobile Financial Services, Mr Komba Malukutila said, “Enhancing financial inclusion through the use of digital technology is an essential element in furthering the country’s economic development, particularly for the previously unbanked, we see this as an opportunity for more tech developers, entrepreneurs and businesses to work with us in creating more opportunities for themselves while contributing to bridging the financial divide.”
The range of solutions to address the financial services gap in Zambia requires partnerships with financial services providers, regulatory authorities, other mobile network operators, merchants, distributors, businesses, technology providers, entrepreneurs and developers.
MTN Zambia is also embracing technologies that can accelerate the realisation of many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Hackathon will contribute to the first UN SDG aimed at reducing poverty by offering financial services for the unbanked members of society.
About the winners
1st prize $2,500 Dawa Health
Dawa Health is a digital health platform empowering mothers to receive remote maternal health while guiding them through their pregnancy. The APIs were used to receive subscription payments from the expectant mothers who use the service.
2nd Prize $1,500 OrderBetta
Orderbetta is a distribution platform for small shop owners (retailers) to stock products from manufacturers. Retailers order products using the mobile app and receive free same-day delivery to their shop. The APIs were used to receive payment from the retailers to purchase the products from the manufacturers.
3rd Prize $500 Proweb
Proweb have a product called ProStartKit that helps small businesses get a professional online presence. Get a domain, professional business email and a tailored professional website for your business all in one location with a few easy clicks. The APIs were used to easily facilitate payment for the ProStartKit.
Source: MTN Zambia
