Global technology powerhouse Microsoft and payments leader Visa have concluded a collaborative AI training and hackathon programme in Lagos, designed to equip Nigerian fintech developers with practical skills in artificial intelligence.
The multi-day event, part of Microsoft’s AI Skills Week, brought together over 70 developers and more than 150 industry leaders, including Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and digital transformation executives from across the financial services landscape.
The initiative included self-paced learning modules, live technical sessions, interactive workshops, and a five-hour hackathon aimed at creating AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges in compliance, innovation, and customer engagement.
Driving Fintech Excellence with AI
According to the organisers, the programme reflects the shared commitment of Microsoft and Visa to nurture the next generation of African fintech leaders and accelerate AI adoption across the continent’s digital economy.
“We are driven to support the next generation of fintech leaders in Nigeria and are proud to partner with Microsoft to catalyse technologies that are secure, inclusive, and built for scale,” said Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Cluster Head, Visa West Africa.
Uaboi highlighted the significance of leveraging generative AI and agentic systems to solve regional compliance challenges and turn them into competitive advantages tailored to African market needs.
Innovation in Action
During the hackathon, participants were introduced to Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and Semantic Kernel, cutting-edge tools designed to power intelligent systems. The developers were tasked with building agentic AI applications to address Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance issues—an area of growing importance in the financial sector.
Winning teams were selected by a panel of AI and fintech experts and are set to receive ongoing mentorship and potential productisation support, enabling them to scale their solutions for market adoption.
The programme also benefited from technical leadership by TeKnowledge and GitHub, helping developers explore responsible AI integration into the financial services value chain.
Building the Future of Digital Finance
Speaking on the initiative’s impact, Ola Williams, Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, said:
“The financial services industry in Nigeria stands as a beacon of innovation and a critical driver of economic growth. Through initiatives like AI Skills Week, we are committed to equipping developers, leaders, and innovators with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the evolving landscape of digital finance.”
Williams added that Microsoft’s collaboration with Visa aims to empower Nigerian fintech professionals to lead with cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance compliance, improve customer experiences, and advance financial inclusion.
The training programme marks a significant step in Nigeria’s push to integrate AI-powered innovation into fintech, positioning the country as a frontrunner in Africa’s emerging digital economy.
