The 40 Days 40 FinTechs Initiative is an annual FinTech Innovation program presented by HiPipo as part of our Include Everyone program. This initiative celebrates and recognizes individuals and organizations who are making significant strides in promoting financial inclusivity through the use of technology. By shining a spotlight on these innovators, we aim to inspire others and create a ripple effect towards the creation and dissemination of technology that enables financial inclusivity. Through generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and proud partnerships with Crosslake Technologies, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy and the Mojaloop Foundation, the 40 Days 40 FinTechs Initiative is dedicated to leading the way in advocacy for a more inclusive financial ecosystem in Africa and beyond.

1. Background: “40 Days 40 FinTechs” is an initiative aimed at promoting innovation and collaboration among FinTechs in Africa. The program is designed to provide FinTechs and startups with mentorship, training, exposure, and networking opportunities to help them grow and scale their businesses.
2. Objective: The primary objective of the program is to support and showcase innovative FinTech giants and startups from across Africa, with a focus on promoting financial inclusion and economic growth. Through the program, startups are given access to the resources they need to develop new and innovative financial solutions that can benefit underserved populations. The resources include but are not limited to Level One Project guides, Inclusive finance, etc.
3. Participants: The program attracts FinTech innovators from across Africa, with a particular focus on those from Uganda. However, the program has also featured startups from other African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, and South Africa. The program has also received support from a wide range of industry players, including major financial institutions, telecom companies, and technology providers.
4. Activities: The program consists of a series of activities, including pitch sessions, mentorship and training sessions, networking events, and exposure opportunities. During the program, startups have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to potential investors and partners, receive mentorship and training from industry experts, and connect with other startups and industry players.
5. Impact: The program has had a significant impact on the African FinTech ecosystem, promoting innovation, collaboration, and financial inclusion. Many startups that have participated in the program have gone on to receive funding and support, and have successfully scaled their businesses. The program has also helped to create a more supportive environment for FinTech innovation in Africa, with more investors and industry players recognizing the importance of supporting FinTech innovators and startups. Furthermore, the program has significantly enhanced the visibility of digital financial services, digital innovation, and financial technology (FinTech) innovation across the African continent.
6. Funding: The program has received generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With great partnerships from Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Crosslake Technologies, Cyberplc Academy plus financial institutions, telecom companies, and technology providers. Funding is used to support the program’s activities and provide resources to participants.
7. Purpose: One of the key goals of the “40 Days 40 FinTechs” initiative is to promote financial inclusion in Africa, particularly among low-income users who may not have access to traditional financial services. The program aims to achieve this by supporting FinTech startups that are developing innovative financial solutions that can reach and benefit underserved populations.
8. Approach: The program takes a deliberate approach to promote gender equality in the FinTech industry. This includes actively encouraging the participation of women-led startups in the program, as well as promoting the representation of women in leadership positions in the FinTech sector. By doing so, the program aims to promote greater diversity and inclusion in the industry, and to ensure that the benefits of FinTech innovation are shared equitably across all segments of society.

40 Days 40 FinTechs is an important initiative that is driving FinTech innovation and promoting financial inclusion in Africa. It is a program that has attracted significant support from a wide range of industry players, and has had a tangible impact on the African FinTech ecosystem.

40 Days 40 FinTechs Season Five Registration Underway. Click here for details.

We are happy to announce that registration for the fifth season of the annual HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative has opened. The HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative has undoubtedly set the Innovation and Financial Inclusion bar very high; particularly showcasing both the time and lifesaving abilities of Financial Technology.

Although the 2020 and 2021 seasons ran in the middle of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, they laid the groundwork for this project with more than 200 submissions and about 85 participants altogether. The third edition, which ran in 2022, was bigger and better as it focused on the East African region. Some 47 participants, drawn from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were featured, out of more than 150 submissions. The fourth season outshone all the previous editions as it focused on end-user experiences of FinTech customers. From Kampala to Lwengo, to Nakasongola, to Gulu, to Arua, to Lira, to Mbale, to Sheema, to Kabale, end-users shared how financial technology had transformed their lives, businesses and communities alike.

Run under HiPipo’s Include Everyone program that also encompasses other initiatives such as FinTech Landscape Exhibition, Women in FinTech Hackathon, Summit & Incubator, and the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit and Digital Impact Awards Africa; the #40Days40FinTechs platform aptly provides a setting for the various players and stakeholders involved in digital and financial technology to exhibit their products and services. It also gives players a platform to share their ideas on how the unserved and underserved by the present financial systems can be brought into the fold.

“We are happy to kick off Season Five of 40 Days 40 FinTechs. Last year, we focused on end-user experiences and this year, we will focus on the innovativeness of the FinTechs. We are going to have candid discussions with FinTechs about their innovations and latest upgrades and what impact they envision these products and services and upgrades will have on their customers,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo Chief Executive Officer noted.

He added: “We shall seek to find out how affordable, available, accessible and equitable these innovations are. Importantly, we look forward to finding out how safe and secure these FinTech solutions are.”

With over 150 participants in the last four years, #40Days40FinTechs continues to be the world’s premier showcase event for innovations that are enabling underserved populations to join the digital economy space. We know that this can only get better owing to the inspiration and collaboration of our partners; Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner and Crosslake Technologies. Most importantly, the initiative owes its continued success to the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Now is the time for Digital Innovators and FinTechs from all over Uganda to submit their registration details before 30^th July, 2024 to stand a chance to participate in 40 Days 40 FinTechs Season Five. Participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as your submission meets all the participation requirements.

Important Dates.

40 Days 40 FinTechs Registration: 15^th to 30^th July, 2024. Click here to register.

Profiling and Featuring 40 Days 40 FinTechs Participants:  5^th August to 20^th September, 2024.

FinTech Landscape Exhibition: 27^th September, 2024.