Accra, Ghana – 4th April 2025 – This past weekend, innovation took center stage at Academic City University as achieve by Petra, in collaboration with Code and Cocktails, hosted its first-ever hackathon — “Hack! with achieve by Petra.”
Held from March 28th–30th, the 36-hour event brought together 77 participants across 20 teams to design and pitch digital solutions to real-world financial challenges under the theme “Imagining the Future of Finance with AI.”
“This hackathon is not just about coding — it’s about fostering creativity, collaboration, and community engagement to solve real-world financial challenges,” said Huzaifa Abdulai, General Manager of achieve by Petra, during the opening ceremony.
The hackathon kicked off with team formation, as participants were grouped and paired with experienced mentors who guided them through problem discovery, solution design, and prototype development. Throughout the weekend, teams had access to expert-led workshops across AI, fintech, and user experience, giving them the technical depth and industry context needed to refine their ideas.
“We organized this hackathon to put the spotlight on bright talents in the tech and finance space,” said Kwabena Nyamekye-Dapaah, Event Lead, Hack! with achieve by Petra. “We are here to create solutions that will change the financial sector.”
On Day 2, participants got a refreshing break with an aerobics session designed to boost energy and improve blood circulation — a crucial reset during the intense build marathon. Gamerz Hive was also on-site, offering an entertainment zone where teams could unwind, de-stress, and refocus.
In a special livestream session, each team shared their motivations, challenges, and early solution concepts — offering our audience across social media a behind-the-scenes look into their creative process and unique approaches to solving financial challenges with AI.
After 36 hours of building, brainstorming, and testing, all teams submitted their final solutions. An initial review by the judging panel narrowed the field to the top 10 finalists, who were invited to pitch their projects live on Day 3 in front of a panel of distinguished judges and an engaged audience.
The finalists presented intelligent AI-powered innovations addressing key areas such as savings, digital payments, financial literacy, and more. Their work was evaluated by a panel of respected industry leaders:
- Patrick Quantson, CEO of Kowri
- Estelle Jacqueline Asare, Head of Digital Transformation at Stanbic Bank
- Kwadwo Seinti, Head of Technology at Petra
- Daniel Anaman, Head of Product, achieve by Petra
- Stefan Froelich, Tech Lead, achieve by Petra
- Derrick Lartey. Head of Business and Strategic Initiatives, Petra Holdings
Judges assessed each submission based on innovation, impact, technical feasibility, and user experience.
After a competitive pitch round, Team Westland Valley stood out with their bold and practical AI solution, earning them the grand prize of GHS 15,000. They were followed by Encrypted Decrypters, who took home GHS 10,000, and Team Excellence, awarded GHS 5,000 for their compelling works.
“We set out on this hackathon to push the boundary of innovation, and I must say the energy, creativity, and determination displayed throughout the hackathon has been inspiring,” said Kofi Fynn, Managing Director of Petra Trust. “It is my firm belief that the financial sector is what will transform lives in the country [Ghana] and on the continent.”
Backed by Community
The hackathon was supported by partners including Academic City University, Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), Code and Cocktails, Slightly Techie, Black Star Advisors, DevCongress, Kweku Tech, Gamerz Hive and Building Bytes, who provided sponsorship, mentorship, resources, and industry insight.
“The goal of being here is to build relationships and connections that will last post-hackathon,” said Sedem Balfour, Organizing Partner, Code and Cocktails.
What’s Next
Building on the success of this year’s hackathon, achieve by Petra plans to expand partnerships with universities and innovation hubs across Ghana. The energy, talent, and creativity demonstrated at Academic City University reaffirmed the value of engaging young innovators at the source.
“We must offer our young people the same resources to drive local innovation and global competitiveness — and at Petra, we’re committed to this particular mission,” said Mr. Chris Hammond, Deputy Managing Director of Petra Trust.
By working more closely with tertiary institutions and grassroots tech communities, achieve by Petra aims to create continuous pathways for students and young tech professionals to apply their skills to real-world fintech challenges. This approach will not only enrich the digital finance ecosystem but also ensure that the next generation of changemakers is equipped, empowered, and included in shaping the future of finance in Ghana.
About Achieve by Petra
achieve by Petra is a mobile app that simplifies access to investments and financial services for the everyday Ghanaian. As the flagship digital platform of Petra, a leading financial services company in Ghana, achieve by Petra has played a key role in empowering individuals to take charge of their financial future by leveraging Technology. Over the past five years, it has grown to serve more than 320,000 users, making wealth-building and financial security more accessible than ever.
