Inside Biz | MTN MOMO HACKATHON TOP 12 FINALISTS REVEALED

The MoMo Hackathon is now officially at the prototype phase where the 12 finalists will battle it out for the E170 000 prize money. MTN Fintech notes that the best idea will be the one that is relevant and practical for the local market.

Photo Credit: www.insidebiz.co.sz

By Ntokozo Nkambule

A total of twelve finalists have made it to the next phase of the MTN Momo Hackathon. This phase of the Hackathon is the prototype phase where the finalists are coached by judges and assisted to refine their ideas.

Jordy Shiba, Senior Manager Fintech: Commercial & Channel MTN Eswatini notes that the Momo Hackathon is an MTN group-wide project where they encourage innovative solutions to assist them in achieving their goal to build the biggest Fintech in Africa. He said locally, they aspire to be the biggest Fintech platform by the year 2025.

Shiba who was speaking on behalf of Sam Shongwe, Chief Executive Officer; MTN Fintech Services observed that the MoMo Hackathons which run annually, are intended to ensure that as a Fintech company they do not grow alone, but with the entire country.

Today’s announcement marked the official start of the prototyping phase of the MoMo Hackathon. The top 12 finalists will now be coached by four judges and members of the project team in preparing and refining their ideas. The respective judges are;

Mlandvo Simelane- MTN Eswatini
Pamela Nhlengetfwa- Central Bank of Eswatini
Simanga Dlamini – Royal Science & Technology Park
Ntokozo Bhembe- MTN Fintech Services

Shiba stated that the competition will then come to a close in three weeks’ time. “In under three weeks, we shall reconvene where the judges shall then give us the top 3, this will be preceded by all 12 presenting to the panel and the top 3 being presented with their share of the E170 000 ($10,000). The winner will take home E85 000 ($5,000), runner up E51 000 ($3,000), and 3^rd place taking home E34 000 ($2,000), he noted.

Mcolisi Dlamini, Manager MTN Fintech and Products & Services who was the programme director on the day noted that the overall winner of the MoMo Hackathon should have an idea that is relevant and practical for the local market. He added that the finalists that will make it will then register their businesses and start implementing their MoMo Hackathon ideas.

List of 12 Finalists & Momo Hackathon Ideas