While well-established businesses usually invest heavily in processes such as market research, product management and quality assurance, many small businesses and start-ups never do this largely due to resource constraints.

For others, it is simply due to lack of awareness about the significance of these processes.

According to Mercy Angela Nantongo, the EzyAgric Product Manager, product management is the work done to ensure that the products and services you offer serve the customer's needs. 

She notes that this is a continuous process that ensures that both the product owners and customers get the best results possible.

“Product management is important as it is the first interaction with customers before any issues arise. It plays a key role in product marketing at initiation, before you build, while building the product, and after you complete the product. Product Management ensures that you are on top of the market trends,” Nantongo said.

Participants interact with trainers during the session

The Women in FinTech Hackathon is now in its third edition and is part of HiPipo’s commitment towards empowering women with the required digital and financial inclusion skills so that they can; innovate, prosper, earn and develop. 

Organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop, ModusBox, CyberPLC Academy and Crosslake Technologies and supported by Gates Foundation, the 2022 Women in FinTech Hackathon has brought together 20 women-led teams this year.

On Day three of the Hackathon, participants were also introduced to Mojaloop; an open-source software that was designed to provide a reference model for payment interoperability.

In his presentation, Sam Kummary, one of the developers of Mojaloop noted that: “This open source software can be used to create interoperable payment solutions in areas such as person-to-person transfers, payroll and other bulk payments, account management and fraud monitoring.” 

Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO told the participants that they can use Mojaloop to develop secure and interoperable payment systems that are acceptable globally.

“Payments schemes around the world are in the process of implementing or considering implementation, of Mojaloop-based interoperable payments systems. Women in FinTech Innovators can use Mojaloop open-source software to support financial services companies, government regulators, and others taking on the challenges of interoperability and financial inclusion,” Kawooya said.

The week-long Women in FinTech Hackathon will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on September 16 at Mestil Hotel, Kampala; where the best performing teams and individuals from across East Africa will be announced and receive their share of the $10,000 collective prize money.

The best teams will also automatically qualify for the Women in FinTech Incubator program that will run until January 2023.