By Ghazali Ibrahim
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced the launch of the third edition of its “Take on Squad” Hackathon, reinforcing its commitment to promoting innovation and supporting technology-driven solutions across Africa.
The Hackathon, now in its third year, brings together developers, designers, and entrepreneurs from across Nigeria to collaborate on building practical solutions in key sectors such as financial services, healthcare, commerce, and digital inclusion. This year’s edition is themed “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” with a focus on creating intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities interact with money.
Applications for the programme are now open, with interested teams invited to access guidelines and register via the official portal.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduophon Japhet, emphasized the importance of innovation in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. He noted that the Hackathon is designed not only to inspire creativity but also to translate ideas into scalable solutions with measurable impact.
“Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through ‘Take on Squad’ Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future,” Japhet said.
The social coding event remains a key part of HabariPay’s mission to nurture emerging tech talent. Participating teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to develop scalable digital tools aimed at addressing everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives like the Hackathon, GTCO continues to strengthen its position at the intersection of finance, technology, and enterprise, while contributing to Africa’s digital transformation.
HabariPay, GTCO’s fintech subsidiary, is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and provides digital payment solutions to businesses of all sizes. Its offerings include Squad, a comprehensive payments platform that supports both online and in-person transactions, alongside tools such as payment links, virtual accounts, USSD services, and e-commerce storefronts.
The company has received industry recognition for its innovations, including Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award in 2022 for its SquadPOS solution.
