Absa Botswana capacitates hackathon winners
Absa Bank Botswana has announced intentions to roll out capacity building to the bank’s top three winners of its hackathon competition.
According to Absa Bank Botswana Managing Director, Keabetswe PhekoMoshagane, the three finalists will undergo entrepreneurial skills development training as part of the incubation programme. “As Absa Bank Botswana, we recognise the role we play in supporting our nation’s socio- economic growth. We believe that by combining our effort and expertise, we can innovate and grow, inspire, and challenge each other for a better tomorrow. “We remain committed to implementing innovative projects that bring positive impact to our communities as well as deliver shareholder value,” said Pheko- Moshagane. The bank held its inaugural hackathon in 2021 and this year’s edition brought together young leading innovators from across the country in its effort to pioneer the growth of FinTechs.
This year’s theme was centred on agriculture, where young Batswana were challenged to develop solutions that can solve the most pressing issues facing the agricultural sector. “The agribusiness space in Botswana is a veritable source of greater sustainable economic development and as a bank, we aim to promote key developmental issues and opportunities within the Agri- sector. It is for this reason that as Absa Bank Botswana, we see it fit to actively participate, encourage, and look for purposeful and innovative ways to support the agri- sector.”
She said digitisation is the cornerstone of the bank’s operations and hence they are constantly looking for digital solutions or ideas to transform and revolutionise industries. Nine teams participated in this year’s hackathon and the top three teams were EO Analytics of Amantle Keitsile, Lone Lottering and Mokolobetsi Mugwana, Digital Lead of Koketso Morapedi, Stillwell Jacob and Thabang Saakane and Binary Thoughts of Otsile Motsila, Sephiwe Mangundu and Tumisang Kgarubane respectively. Meanwhile, the capacity building programme involves developing and strengthening team skills, solution abilities and processes and learning sessions with industry experts on various aspects of entrepreneurship aimed at guiding the young innovators on their entrepreneurial journey.