WEMA BANK UNVEILS TOP 35 INNOVATORS ADVANCING TO THE GRAND FINALE OF HACKAHOLICS 5.0

Wema Bank, Nigeria's leading innovator in banking and the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the 35 exceptional teams advancing to the grand finale pitch of Hackaholics 5.0. The event is scheduled for November 25, 2024, in Lagos, under the theme “Meta Idea: Catalyzing Africa’s Growth Through Innovation.”

Following a series of competitive pre-pitch events held at eight physical locations and one virtual pitch center, 35 outstanding teams have emerged as finalists. These teams represent diverse and impactful innovations across sectors such as agriculture, finance, education, healthcare, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.

The top contestants are:

Northino, Our Haven, Celia, Nadir, Nimsy Agro, Hebron Chain, Paystrait, DevMe, Preview, Coconoto, EduGaze, Dokia, Gbale Prime, Health 4 Moni, Digiland, Abinci, Unifi, CyclexAfrica, Airify, Kwab, Gnergy, University X, AI Teacha, Code Red, APISentry, Fegor, TrashCoin, Paywise, Pandascrow, Lexia AI, Bunce, Bloom Beauty, MyItura, Accede, and Scratop Nigeria Limited.

These top teams will present their groundbreaking Digi-Tech solutions to a panel of esteemed investors, industry leaders, and mentors, competing for prizes worth a total of ₦75 million. The prize structure includes:

₦30 million in prizes for the grand prize winner

₦20 million in prizes for the first runner-up

₦15 million in prizes for the second runner-up

₦10 million in prizes for the top women-led team

WEMA BANK’S COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, expressed his excitement about the competition's transformative potential:

“Hackaholics is a testament to Wema Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation and youth empowerment. These 35 contestants represent the future of Africa’s tech-driven transformation, and we are proud to provide them with a platform to bring their ideas to life. The ‘Meta Idea’ theme challenges them to think beyond immediate solutions and focus on innovations that capitalize on Africa’s growth potential. We look forward to celebrating their ingenuity at the grand finale.”

HACKAHOLICS: A PLATFORM FOR TRANSFORMATION

This year’s Hackaholics competition attracted thousands of applications from across Nigeria, underscoring the creativity and determination of young tech enthusiasts. The initiative has inspired groundbreaking solutions addressing Africa’s challenges and driving digital transformation.

Hackaholics continues to highlight the role of technology and entrepreneurship in Africa’s socio-economic progress. It remains a key platform for discovering and nurturing young talents by offering winners mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to scale their ideas globally.

To witness the next generation of innovators in action, register for the Hackaholics 5.0 grand finale at https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/grandfinale.