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.

To further foster innovation and enhance financial inclusion, MTN is now inviting developers and entrepreneurs across 5 countries to participate in the MoMo API Hackathon. The Hackathon, run in partnership with Ericsson (MTN’s Mobile Money technology partner), will give App developers based in Ghana, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Zambia the opportunity to create innovative financial and transactional applications using the MTN MoMo API platform.

Commenting on the initiative, MTN Group Executive for Mobile Financial Services said,  ” Enhancing financial inclusion through the use of digital technology is an essential element in furthering the continent’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 close the financial services gap in the markets in which MTN operate requires partnerships with financial services providers, regulatory authorities, other mobile network operators, merchants, distributors, businesses, technology providers, entrepreneurs and developers. This

Hackathon further illustrates the essence of the company’s ‘We’re Good Together’ initiative which celebrates the role collaboration and partnership play in ensuring that more people enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.

The company is also embracing technologies that can accelerate the realisation of many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the hackathon which aims to enhance MTN’s financial services offering, speaks to the first UN SDG aimed at reducing poverty.

About the challenge

• Developers are required to create a mobile application that uses MTN MoMo APIs, the mobile application needs to target consumers, merchants or businesses.
• The application must be useful and usable in the market where the applicants have registered and can cover use cases beyond payment but must utilise MTN MoMo APIs.
• MTN/Ericsson in each country will select 12 applicants.
• The preselected applicants will have 2 weeks to develop their ideas.
• The preselected applicants will need to make a live demo of their application submission.

Finalists stand the chance to win $2,500 and one team member will win a trip to Ericsson’s Innovation Lab in Sweden.

The hackathon participants can submit their applications from October 21 via this website:  https://www.hackerearth.com/challenges/hackathon/momo-hackathon/