Pesalink, Strathmore University Host AI Fintech Hackathon

Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL), the operator of Pesalink, has teamed up with Strathmore University to host the 2025 Pesalink AI Fintech Hackathon, an initiative focused on solving practical challenges in Africa’s financial sector using creative and impactful solutions

The hackathon, held at the University, brought together 150 student developers, offering them a platform to tackle one of the payment industry’s most persistent challenges: failures during bulk transaction validation. These occur when payments are sent to incorrect account details, leading to delays, additional work for financial institutions, and frustrated customers. Participants were tasked with designing AI-powered tools to pre-validate account data before transactions take place, aiming to streamline processes, boost trust, and improve real-time payment systems.

“At Pesalink, we are passionate about innovation as a means to creating more inclusive and seamless payments,” said Plounne Oyunge, Chief Growth Officer at IPSL. “This hackathon is more than a competition—it’s a practical step toward solving real infrastructure challenges, while nurturing the next generation of fintech innovators who will shape the future of digital finance.”

Throughout the event, participants received guidance and mentorship from Pesalink’s product and engineering teams, who also evaluated the solutions based on innovation, scalability, security, and impact potential.

Michael Gikonyo, Chairperson of the Strathmore Computer Science and Engineering Students Association (SCESA), noted the broader significance of the event. “Today’s opportunity was not just about coding. It’s about creating infrastructure that enhances financial inclusion and supports Kenya’s broader digital economy goals. We’re proud to see students build solutions that can be adopted beyond the classroom.”

The hackathon also aligns with IPSL’s strategic vision of fostering open participation and reducing payment friction through cross-sector collaboration. With Kenya on the path to implementing its national Fast Payment System (FPS), initiatives like this play a critical role in building the digital infrastructure needed to make real-time, accessible payments a reality for all.