Lagos: Wema Bank says it aims to further stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investment, and accelerate Nigeria’s economic development by fostering a thriving technology ecosystem that complements the creative economy. Executive Director, Retail and Digital Business, Wema Bank, Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, disclosed this at a news conference on the call for applications for the sixth edition of the bank’s Hackaholics 6.0 initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Hackaholics 6.0 focuses on attracting ‘bold, cutting-edge solutions’ in key sectors like AI, blockchain, renewable energy, customer experience, and cybersecurity. Mr. Mabawonku explained that the initiative aligns with the bank’s strategic vision for its 80th anniversary in 2025, while it serves as a platform for developing solutions that address critical economic challenges. He stated that the programme has the potential to generate innovations that create new avenues for economic activity and job creation and has recorded past successes in areas like transportation and healthcare.
He further emphasised that with the initiative, the bank focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and technological innovation as essential for future economic competitiveness. Similarly, Chief Transformation Officer, Wema Bank, Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, mentioned that the bank had continued to give support to innovative start-ups to progress. He highlighted the bank’s commitment by stating, ‘From inception to date, we have had a total of 18 winners and we have given out about 200,000 U.S. dollars in grants to all the winners.’
Head of Innovation, Mr. Solomon Ayodele, revealed that the theme of the 2025 innovation programme is ‘Steep beyond algorithms, engineering, disruptive innovation’. He explained that the initiative aims to position Africa at the forefront of global technology and will feature a dual-track approach for technical talent and high-growth startups, focusing on verticals like customer experience and financial inclusion. Ayodele also noted that regional hackathons would be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and Lagos, culminating in a grand finale, with events also planned in Accra, Ghana, and Kigali, Rwanda.
Ayodele emphasised the programme’s accessibility, welcoming applications from various tech professionals and startups. He noted that finalists would have the opportunity to join an accelerator programme, gaining access to resources and potential funding. Past participants such as Sophia Sadeeq, CEO of MyTherapist.ng, and Ugonna Ginigeme, CEO of FIGO, shared their success stories, praising the programme’s mentorship and networking opportunities and encouraging startups to apply. Sadeeq, winner of the Women-Led Prize, and Ginigeme, winner of the MetaLog Prize, both highlighted significant partnership opportunities with the bank.