Africa's Talking is playing a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), micro-finance institutions, and table banking groups across Africa. By leveraging advanced 2G fused with 3G technology solutions, Africa's Talking is helping these financial entities to streamline their operations, enhance their service delivery, and extend their reach to the underserved and unbanked populations.

The digitization of table banking—a group savings and loan strategy popular among grassroots communities—empowers groups to manage their funds more effectively. With digital record-keeping and transaction capabilities, group members have real-time access to their financial information, fostering trust and accountability within the group.

Digitizing SACCOs, Micro-Finances, and Table Banking involves the integration of mobile banking platforms, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) services, and SMS communication. These digital tools facilitate easy and secure transactions, savings, loan applications, and disbursements, all accessible from the convenience of a mobile phone. This not only improves the efficiency and transparency of financial operations but also significantly reduces the cost and time involved in traditional banking processes.

Through Africa's Talking APIs, SACCOs and micro-finance institutions can offer members a seamless digital banking experience, enabling them to check balances, make deposits, withdraw funds, and repay loans without the need to visit physical branches. This digital approach not only boosts financial inclusion by reaching remote and rural communities but also promotes savings and investment among members.

The Africa's Talking Voice API will allow the integration of voice services into financial applications, enabling SACCOs to offer automated customer support, voice notifications for transactions, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems for easy account management. This is particularly beneficial in reaching members who may not have access to smartphones or the internet.

The Chat API facilitates real-time messaging through popular platforms such as WhatsApp and SMS, making it easier for financial institutions to send transaction alerts, payment reminders, and promotional messages directly to their customers' most used chat applications.

In essence, Africa's Talking is at the forefront of the financial digital revolution in Africa, transforming SACCOs, micro-finances, and table banking with innovative technology solutions. This not only enhances the financial well-being of individuals and communities but also contributes significantly to the economic development of Africa and beyond. 

This event is a unique opportunity for software developers, UI/UX designers, and entrepreneurs to leverage the powerful APIs provided by Africa's Talking to address some of the most pressing challenges in the SACCOs, and micro-finance. Whether it's creating SACCO after service or financial accessibility, support or incentives, or integrating seamless payment solutions, your ideas have the potential to revolutionize how insurance services are delivered across Africa.

We're inviting developers and innovators to explore the possibilities of combining technology with SACCOs solutions, aiming to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and reliability for SACCO members. Participants will have access to a range of resources, including Africa's Talking APIs, mentorship from industry experts, and the chance to collaborate with like-minded innovators.

Prizes will be awarded to the most innovative, impactful, and technically proficient projects. Beyond the competition, this hackathon is a chance to connect with the Africa's Talking Developer community, gain valuable experience, and potentially kickstart your project with support from Africa's Talking and our partners.

Don't miss this chance to make a difference in the insurance industry, learn new skills, and network with professionals and peers. Register now to be part of this transformative experience and help shape the future of SACCOs in Africa.

Challenges:

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Developing solutions that are accessible to users with varying levels of tech-savviness, especially in rural or underdeveloped areas where digital literacy and access to smart devices may be limited.
• Security and Trust: Ensuring the security of financial transactions and personal data to build and maintain trust among users who may be skeptical about the safety of digital banking.
• Interoperability: Creating solutions that can seamlessly integrate with existing banking systems, mobile networks, and payment platforms, ensuring a smooth transition from traditional to digital methods.
• User Experience (UX) Design: Designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that can accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of the target audience, including those with disabilities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the complex legal and regulatory frameworks that govern financial services in different countries, ensuring that digital solutions comply with all local laws and regulations.
• Sustainability: Developing financially sustainable models for digital SACCOs, micro-finances, and table banking that can ensure long-term operation and scalability.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers and Tech Innovators: Individuals with a background in software development, UX/UI design, data security, and fintech innovation who are passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world problems.
• Financial Institutions and NGOs: Representatives from SACCOs, micro-finance institutions, and NGOs interested in adopting digital solutions to enhance their service delivery and reach underserved communities.
• Entrepreneurs and Startups: Entrepreneurs and startup teams looking to enter the fintech space with innovative solutions tailored to SACCOs, micro-finances, and table banking.
• Academics and Students: Researchers, academics, and students in fields related to finance, technology, and development studies who are interested in exploring and contributing to the digital transformation of financial services in Africa.
• Community Leaders and Members: Leaders and active members of SACCOs, micro-finance institutions, and table banking groups who are keen on digitizing their operations to improve efficiency, security, and member engagement.

What should you expect as an Attendee:

• Access to Cutting-Edge Tools: Leverage Africa's Talking powerful APIs and SDKs, designed to make implementation seamless and hassle-free.
• Apprenticeship & Support: Work closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking who will guide and support you throughout the hackathon as we build with you.
• Networking Opportunities: Join as a member and connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals.
• Cash Prizes, Recognition and Qualify to Join our Marketplace Program: Stand a chance to win exciting prizes, gain recognition for your innovative solutions and
• Impact Africa: Contribute to the economic growth and development of Africa by providing solutions that simplify and enhance payment processes

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

1. Winner - $100 (Join Marketplace Program)
2. 1st Runners Up - $50
3. 2nd Runners Up - $25

Africa's Talking powers communications solutions across Africa with simplified access to telco infrastructure, developers use our powerful SMS, USSD, Voice, Chat, Airtime and Mobile Data, to bring their ideas to life, as they build and sustain scalable businesses.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

Agenda:

1. Warm-Up

• Introductions
• Form teams where need be.
• Feedback
• Feature requests

2. Building/hacking: Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

Note: This section needs additional setup.

Upon commit, the repository is built and deployed to an accessible web server or an S3 bucket.

3. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demo what they have hacked for feedback or adoption.

Note: Carry a laptop

Opportunities:

• Network
• Innovate
• Access to our Talent bench (You can get a job or a gig on the spot)

Submit your Idea:

• Hackathon idea submission form

Gigs:

We would love to reach out to you so that you can build for our customers, please fill out this form with details to ensure we have your details:

GIG/HACK DEVELOPER PORTFOLIO FORM

Join community channels:

Slack:

• Join Africa's Talking slack community here

Please follow our Twitter handles to:

• @AfricasTalking

You can get our videos, recaps, and event interviews on our youtube channels, subscribe to get updates:

• Africa's Talking Youtube Channel

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs easily.

Transport:

• We will provide complimentary transport to and from Jeevanjee Garden.
• Note: Departure time is 7:30 AM (kindly be on time).

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Developer Experience Team.