By Gwurld4026 
FCMB Hackathon 2023: Innovative Startups Focus on Financial Inclusion and Agriculture
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) recently organized a hackathon aimed at driving innovative solutions to critical challenges in agriculture and financial inclusion.
The event brought together startups, tech enthusiasts, and developers to design and implement practical solutions, with a particular focus on reducing livestock mortality and improving financial access for underserved populations.
Participants were tasked with creating scalable solutions leveraging technology such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics to address issues like poor livestock health management, disease outbreaks, and limited access to credit and insurance for farmers.
In the area of financial inclusion, the goal was to develop tools that enhance financial literacy, enable seamless digital transactions, and expand banking services to rural communities.
Winning ideas from the hackathon included:
- A Livestock Health Monitoring System: This uses IoT devices to track animal health metrics and predict potential outbreaks.
- Blockchain-Powered Financial Platforms: These aim to provide secure and transparent access to loans for small-scale farmers.
- Mobile Financial Literacy Apps: Targeted at rural users, these apps simplify banking and promote savings.
FCMB reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting startups that tackle societal challenges.
Winners received funding, mentorship, and access to the bank’s resources to refine and scale their solutions.
This initiative aligns with FCMB’s broader efforts to empower Nigeria’s agricultural sector and promote financial inclusion as part of the nation’s development agenda.