#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

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 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. 

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.

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.

Why Attend?

• Empower Communities with FinTech: Use your technical skills to digitize SACCOs, table banking groups, and microfinance institutions—making savings, loans, and record management faster, smarter, and more transparent.

• Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience integrating Africa’s Talking APIs (SMS, USSD, and Voice) to build real-world fintech solutions that simplify group transactions and financial tracking.

• Collaborate & Network: Work alongside fellow innovators, developers, and financial inclusion advocates passionate about transforming how communities save, lend, and grow through technology.

• Showcase Your Innovation: Pitch your digital microfinance solutions to experts, investors, and fintech leaders who can help you refine and scale your product for real-world impact.

• Drive Financial Inclusion: Build tools that empower communities across Africa—especially women and small business owners—by increasing access to transparent, secure, and data-driven financial services.

Key Focus Areas:

• 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:

The hackathon is open to anyone passionate about software, and API integration. If you are part of:

• Software Developers and Tech Innovators

• Financial Institutions and NGOs

• Entrepreneurs and Startups

• Academics and Students

• Community Leaders and Members

Then this hackathon is for you!

These diverse groups of attendees will bring a range of skills, perspectives, and ideas to the hackathon, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for innovation.

All developers, from all fields, are welcome for the hackathon.

What to Expect as an Attendee:

• Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies: Gain access to Africa's Talking APIs and SDKs, specifically designed to streamline implementation and ensure a seamless experience.

• Mentorship and Guidance: Collaborate closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking, who will serve as mentors throughout the hackathon. Benefit from their guidance, insights, and support as we build together.

• Expand Your Network: As a member of our community, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals. Build valuable relationships that can propel your career or projects to new heights.

• Exciting Rewards and Recognition: Get a chance to win cash prizes and earn recognition for your innovative solutions. Get to receive accolades for your contributions through our social media, potential collaborators and other platforms.

• Exposure to other women in tech opportunities.

Solution Criteria:

• Use of Africa's Talking APIs: How effectively the project utilizes one or more of the Africa's Talking APIs i.e. SMS, USSD, Airtime, Voice, Insights, Chat.

• Innovation: The originality and creativity of the project idea and implementation.

• User Experience: How well the project meets user needs and provides an intuitive and seamless experience.

• Functionality: How well the project performs the intended functionality and handles errors and edge cases.

• Presentation: The clarity and effectiveness of the project demonstration and pitch.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Publish on Africa's Talking Marketplace

Marketplace : Publish your plugin/app for our customer and Call Back as a Service

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

THEME: Wildlife and Conservation Solutions

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner - $100

• 1st Runners Up - $50

• 2nd Runners Up - $25

Social Media give-aways too!

More exclusive prizes and giveaways to attendees.

Contribute to open-source.

Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. Overview

• Technical hands-on session

3. Ideation

• Form teams where need be.

• Feedback

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

5. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demonstrate 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

Join our community channels:

• Community Page:

  • Join Africa's Talking Women In Tech Community here

• Twitter (X):

  • Follow Our Page on X here

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

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 quickly.

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Women in Technology Team. 

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• Those who register by Monday 22nd September 2025, will receive a transport code to redeem for transport to and from the hackathon venue.