Malawi’s TradeFlow Analytics Triumphs at COMESA Women in FinTech Hackathon
Malawian FinTech start-up TradeFlow Analytics has emerged victorious in the inaugural COMESA Women in FinTech Hackathon, while Zambia’s Mighty Fin secured the runner-up position. The two teams shared a $3,000 prize in recognition of their innovative financial solutions aimed at transforming the informal trade sector.
The Hackathon, organized by HiPipo in partnership with the COMESA Business Council (CBC), is part of HiPipo’s Include Everyone program, which is expanding across the COMESA region, beginning with Zambia and Malawi.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at Lusaka Legacy Resort, CBC Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jonathan Pinifolo commended all 16 participating teams for their ingenuity and technical prowess.
“All teams demonstrated remarkable creativity and an understanding of financial inclusion principles. They successfully integrated the Mojaloop Open Source Software and Level One Project Principles into their solutions,” Dr. Pinifolo noted.
TradeFlow Analytics is a web-based solution leveraging data analysis to provide cross-border traders with crucial trade information, including market availability and foreign exchange rates. Mighty Fin, on the other hand, is developing Mama Pay, a savings and loan application tailored for informal women traders and small-scale businesses.
Deborah Jalakasi, co-founder of TradeFlow Analytics, expressed excitement over the win. “This victory is a testament to our commitment to financial inclusion for informal traders. We are eager to implement our solution and bring it to life,” she said.
Jalakasi also acknowledged the Hackathon’s role in empowering women-led startups, stating, “We will continue to inspire and uplift other women innovators.”
Mighty Fin’s team leader, Vwanganji Bowa, highlighted the resilience and dedication the competition demanded. “This experience has strengthened our resolve to build a scalable platform that can impact the entire COMESA region,” Bowa said.
The participating teams underwent intensive training on ideation, conceptualization, and the development of Minimum Viable Products.
HiPipo FinTech Events Manager Charlotte Neeza encouraged all teams to pursue their innovations. “While only two teams took home prizes, every participant is a winner. We will continue supporting these solutions, as they have the potential to serve people at the bottom of the pyramid,” Neeza emphasized.
The COMESA Women in FinTech Hackathon is a key initiative in promoting financial inclusion, particularly among women entrepreneurs, ensuring they have access to digital financial solutions that drive economic growth in the region.
