GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Applications for Tech Innovators

GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Applications for Tech Innovators

LAGOS, NIGERIA | APRIL 2, 2026 — Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced the launch of the third edition of its flagship innovation programme, “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, as part of efforts to drive technology-led solutions and empower emerging talent across Nigeria.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with its fintech subsidiary HabariPay Ltd, is designed to bring together developers, designers, and entrepreneurs to create practical solutions addressing real-world challenges across sectors such as financial services, healthcare, commerce, and digital inclusion.

Now in its third edition, the hackathon is themed “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” with a focus on building intelligent, data-driven innovations that transform how individuals and communities interact with money and digital platforms.

Applications are currently open, with interested participants able to access full guidelines and register via the official portal: https://squadco.com/hackathon⁠�

Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduophon Japhet, said the programme reflects GTCO’s broader vision of enabling innovation that delivers measurable impact.

He noted that in today’s fast-evolving digital economy, continuous innovation is critical to how businesses scale and how societies develop, adding that the hackathon is structured not just to inspire ideas but to support their transformation into scalable, real-world solutions.

The “Take on Squad” Hackathon has become a key platform for nurturing tech talent, providing participants with access to advanced application programming interfaces (APIs) from Squad to develop solutions that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and consumers.

Organisers say the programme aligns with GTCO’s strategic positioning at the intersection of finance, technology, and enterprise, reinforcing its role in shaping Africa’s digital transformation landscape.

HabariPay, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, provides a suite of digital solutions including payment processing tools, e-commerce platforms, and value-added services aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and fintech innovators.

Through platforms like Squad, the company continues to simplify digital payments for thousands of merchants, offering products such as point-of-sale systems, payment links, virtual accounts, and USSD services.

Industry observers note that initiatives like the “Take on Squad” Hackathon underscore the growing importance of private sector-led innovation in accelerating digital adoption and economic inclusion across Africa.