The inaugural MTN MoMo Innovators Challenge in Nigeria reached its climax, with Oluwapelumi Yusuf emerging as the victor.
Yusuf secured the coveted top prize of $5,000 for introducing Rova Pay, an ingenious platform that seamlessly integrates MoMo APIs, offering capabilities that extend far beyond conventional payment processing.
Rova Pay ushers in a new era of convenience for customers, enabling transactions at any time and from any location through automated USSD, effectively eliminating the need for internet connectivity and manual code input.
The competition unfolded on a memorable Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Four Points by Sheraton, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos. It attracted a diverse array of tech developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from various sectors, all deeply committed to fostering financial inclusion and promoting the digitization of payments across Africa.
Elsa Muzzolini, Chief Commercial Officer of MoMo PSB, underlined the significance of the MoMo Innovators Challenge in Nigeria’s fintech landscape, stating, “At MoMo, we firmly believe that innovation flourishes not only within our brand but within the collective of stakeholders. This is why we are equipping developers with the tools and resources necessary to expedite access to individuals excluded from financial services or those who feel that these services do not cater to their unique needs. Our dedication to promoting financial inclusion is a collaborative endeavor. By extending the accessibility of MoMo to innovators all over Nigeria, we empower them to harness its full potential in creating applications that have the power to change lives.”
Upon receiving his well-deserved award, Oluwapelumi Yusuf expressed his elation, remarking, “I am deeply honored and excited to be named the winner of the 2023 MoMo Innovators Challenge. My inspiration for conceiving this solution stemmed from my visits to rural communities in Nigeria, where I observed the limitations posed by the necessity of internet connectivity for accessing essential applications, especially for payments. I identified the need to bridge this gap and promote financial inclusion.”
Oluwapelumi Yusuf wasn’t the sole standout participant in the MoMo Innovators Challenge. Marvis Igbokwe collaborated with Favour Ajie Divine to develop MoMo Cash, securing the second position with a cash prize of $3,000. Isaac Odinaka Franklin’s solution, Clique Plus Pay, clinched the third spot and received a cash award of $2,000.
Furthermore, the top 12 participants were presented with tokens of appreciation and an invitation to participate in the Pan African grand finale, representing Nigeria in the MoMo Innovators Challenge.
This groundbreaking hackathon provided a unique opportunity for developers hailing from 14 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda, Eswatini, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Conakry, Zambia, Benin, Liberia, South Africa, and South Sudan, to collaboratively shape the future of digital finance and empower millions with access to comprehensive and life-changing financial services.
The MoMo Innovators Challenge remains a catalyst for advancing financial technology, creating pathways for talented individuals to make a profound impact on the industry.
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