Wema Bank has launched the seventh edition of its flagship innovation programme, Hackaholics, inviting young Nigerians with technology-driven business ideas to compete for grants, mentorship and national recognition.

The programme, unveiled at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, introduces three competition tracks and seven innovation sectors as part of efforts to support startups and strengthen Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem.

Why it matters

Nigeria has one of Africa’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, but many early-stage innovators struggle to access funding, mentorship and market opportunities.

Hackaholics aims to bridge that gap by providing entrepreneurs with a platform to develop their ideas, connect with investors and compete for financial support.

Since its launch in 2019, Wema Bank says the initiative has engaged more than 50,000 participants, supported over 10,000 startups, helped develop more than 100 technology solutions and awarded grant funding to dozens of innovators.

This year’s edition is themed “Powering Possibilities.”

Applications are open through the Hackaholics portal for innovators working in seven sectors:

Financial Inclusion

Healthcare

Digital Transformation

Education

Sustainability

Social Impact

Future of Work

Participants can apply under one of three categories:

Startup Pitch Competition

Hackathon

Newly introduced Social Impact Track

Following the application stage, the competition will move to 10 regional pitch centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones before culminating in a national grand finale.

Wema Bank explains expansion

Speaking during the launch, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the bank sees innovation as part of its broader responsibility to support economic development.

“At Wema Bank, we believe that institutions have a responsibility that extends beyond providing commercial services. We have a responsibility to create meaningful opportunities, provide the right resources, enable innovation to thrive, and support the ecosystems that will shape today’s youth as well as tomorrow’s economy.”

He added:

“This sense of responsibility is what has driven the evolution of Hackaholics from inception till date. With Hackaholics, we have, and we are investing in the next generation of innovators, inspiring innovation that will impact lives, strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and giving youth a platform to make meaningful use of their creativity; and the numbers continue to speak volumes.”

Applications now open

Declaring the application portal open, Wema Bank’s Divisional Executive for Business Support, Tajudeen Bakare, encouraged young innovators to participate.

“As we launch Hackaholics 7.0 today, we are opening up a new phase of opportunities for more Nigerian youth to challenge themselves, explore their creativity and become startup founders.”

He continued:

“I encourage every young Nigerian with a passion for innovation to leverage the opportunity that we have carefully curated through Hackaholics and get ahead of the curve in today’s dynamic work landscape. Together, we can continue to build an ecosystem where innovation flourishes, opportunities expand, and young people are empowered to create solutions that shape the future.”

Industry perspective

Technology ecosystem analysts say programmes like Hackaholics have become increasingly important as startups face tighter investment conditions globally.

Innovation competitions backed by financial institutions can provide entrepreneurs with early-stage capital, business mentoring and exposure to investors that may otherwise be difficult to access.

However, experts note that long-term success will depend on continued support after the competition, including access to funding, business advisory services and opportunities to scale successful innovations.

What it means for young Nigerians

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Hackaholics offers an opportunity to test business ideas, receive expert feedback and compete for grant funding without paying an application fee.

The programme is open to Nigerian youths with innovative technology solutions, regardless of whether they already operate a startup or are developing an early-stage idea.

What happens next?

Applications are now open through the Hackaholics portal.

Successful applicants will participate in regional pitching events before finalists compete for grants and recognition at the national finale later this year.

HabariPay, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), has launched its first-ever HabariPay Impact Report 2025, detailing the company’s growth journey, business performance, innovation initiatives, and contributions to Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital payments sector.

The report, unveiled on Tuesday, provides a comprehensive overview of HabariPay’s evolution from a startup fintech venture into a major payment infrastructure provider supporting businesses, merchants, and financial technology firms across Nigeria.

The publication comes at a time when digital payments continue to reshape commerce across Africa, with growing demand for secure, scalable, and inclusive financial services.

Why the Report Matters

Nigeria’s digital economy has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by increased smartphone adoption, fintech innovation, and government-backed financial inclusion efforts.

Against this backdrop, HabariPay says its new report highlights how technology-driven payment solutions are helping businesses accept payments, manage transactions, and expand their reach in an increasingly digital marketplace.

According to the report, the company has invested heavily in payment acceptance infrastructure, switching services, transfers, merchant solutions, and value-added products designed to support businesses of varying sizes.

The report also tracks the expansion of HabariPay’s flagship digital payment platform, Squad, which serves thousands of merchants across the country.

HabariPay Reflects on Growth Journey

Speaking during the launch, HabariPay Managing Director, Eduofon Japhet, said the report goes beyond financial metrics to measure broader economic and social impact.

“As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”

She added that the publication reflects years of strategic investments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem.

“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”

Investment in Innovation and Talent Development

Beyond payments infrastructure, the report highlights HabariPay’s efforts to nurture technology talent through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and Squad Hackademy.

The programmes are designed to support young innovators, encourage practical problem-solving, and help develop the next generation of technology professionals capable of addressing real-world challenges.

Industry analysts say such initiatives are becoming increasingly important as fintech companies compete for skilled talent in Africa’s growing digital economy.

Strengthening Digital Commerce

The report also outlines HabariPay’s contributions to enabling digital commerce through products that support online and offline payments.

Its payment infrastructure includes solutions for merchants, businesses, and fintech companies seeking to process transactions efficiently while reducing operational costs.

Financial technology experts note that improving payment infrastructure remains a critical factor in expanding financial inclusion and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form a major part of Nigeria’s economy.

Looking Ahead

According to the report, HabariPay plans to continue investing in payment infrastructure, merchant services, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies aimed at improving the future of financial services.

The company says these investments will focus on creating more secure, scalable, and inclusive payment solutions for businesses and consumers.

As competition intensifies within Nigeria’s fintech sector, industry observers will be watching closely to see how companies like HabariPay continue to innovate while supporting broader economic growth.

About HabariPay

HabariPay Limited, https://www.habaripay.com, is the fintech subsidiary of GTCO and is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The company provides payment and commerce solutions designed for SMEs, micro-merchants, large corporations, and fintech companies operating within Africa’s digital economy.

Its products include:

Squad Digital Payments Platform (https://www.squadco.com)

HabariPay Storefront(https://www.squadco.com)

Merchant Value-Added Services

Payment Switching Infrastructure

HabariPay received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at the Technology Innovation Awards (TIA) 2022 for its SquadPOS payment solution.

Access the Full Report

The full HabariPay Impact Report 2025 can be accessed here:

HabariPay Impact Report 2025 https://squadco.com/impact-report

A new artificial intelligence-powered digital marketing platform, TrafficMaster Pro, has launched globally, promising to help businesses improve search visibility, increase website traffic, and generate more online revenue through automated SEO and growth tools.

The launch comes at a time when businesses face increasing competition for online attention and customer acquisition. Many organisations struggle with search engine optimisation (SEO), content production, website indexing, backlink building, social media management, and performance tracking.

TrafficMaster Pro says it aims to address these challenges by bringing multiple digital marketing functions into a single platform powered by artificial intelligence and business intelligence technology.

The company said its platform combines SEO auditing, keyword research, competitor analysis, AI content creation, backlink monitoring, rank tracking, social media campaign management, indexing tools, and real-time analytics to support business growth.

Why It Matters

Search visibility has become a critical factor for businesses seeking customers online. With search engines remaining one of the primary sources of website traffic, companies increasingly rely on SEO and digital marketing tools to remain competitive.

Industry analysts have noted that AI-driven marketing platforms are becoming more popular as organisations look for ways to automate routine tasks while improving efficiency and reducing costs.

TrafficMaster Pro enters a growing market of AI-powered marketing platforms competing to help businesses improve digital performance and customer acquisition.

Business Brain Technology

A key feature highlighted during the launch is the company’s proprietary “Business Brain” technology.

According to TrafficMaster Pro, the system learns about a company’s products, services, customers, competitors, and growth objectives to generate personalised recommendations rather than standardised reports.

“Businesses do not need more complicated reports. They need clear growth opportunities and practical actions that generate results,” said Vincent Bamgbala, Founder of TrafficMaster Pro.

“TrafficMaster Pro combines artificial intelligence, automation, and business intelligence to help organizations improve visibility, attract customers, and grow revenue.”

Features Offered

The platform provides a range of capabilities, including:

– AI-powered SEO audits

– Website health analysis

– Keyword research and difficulty analysis

– Competitor gap analysis

– Rank tracking and performance monitoring

– AI content generation and optimisation

– Content refresh intelligence

– Schema markup generation

– Automated indexing technology

– AI landing page creation

– Traffic forecasting and simulation

– Backlink intelligence and monitoring

– Social media campaign automation

– Analytics and conversion insights

– Strategic recommendations powered by Business Brain

– White-label agency reseller solutions

Agency Reseller Programme Announced

The company also announced a new Agency Reseller Programme designed for agencies, consultants, and entrepreneurs.

The initiative allows participants to operate their own branded SEO software businesses using TrafficMaster Pro’s white-label infrastructure.

Supporters of white-label business models argue that they can help entrepreneurs enter the software market without the significant costs associated with developing platforms from scratch.

Free Website Audit for Businesses

To attract new users, TrafficMaster Pro is offering a complimentary AI-powered website audit.

According to the company, the audit evaluates website performance, search visibility, indexing status, technical SEO issues, content opportunities, and competitive positioning.

The company said the service is intended to help businesses identify growth opportunities and improve digital performance.

Who Can Use the Platform?

TrafficMaster Pro says its services are designed for:

– Small and medium-sized businesses

– Digital marketing agencies

– SEO professionals

– Bloggers and content creators

– News publishers

– E-commerce businesses

– SaaS companies

– Consultants and freelancers

– Educational institutions

– Non-profit organisations

The platform launches with multiple pricing tiers, including entry-level SEO reporting plans, advanced automation packages, premium growth solutions, and managed services.

The company has also introduced a Founding Member Programme for its first 50 customers, offering a 40% lifetime discount on selected plans while subscriptions remain active.

Industry Perspective

The launch reflects the broader shift towards AI-driven marketing technologies as businesses seek more efficient ways to compete in increasingly crowded digital markets.

Marketing professionals say businesses are looking for platforms that simplify data analysis and provide actionable insights rather than complex reports.

As AI adoption accelerates across industries, platforms capable of combining automation, analytics, and strategic recommendations are expected to play a growing role in digital marketing operations.

What Happens Next?

TrafficMaster Pro is now available worldwide and will compete in the rapidly expanding SEO and digital growth software sector.

The company’s success is likely to depend on how effectively its AI-powered tools help businesses improve rankings, increase traffic, and generate measurable returns on marketing investment.

Official Links

Platform information: TrafficMaster Pro https://trafficmasterpro.com

Free website audit: TrafficMaster Pro Free Audit https://trafficmasterpro.com