By Johnson Adebowale
Interswitch, Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, during the weekend, hosted its Developer Connect Series, tagged The Coded Meetup.
The event was aimed at fostering live interactions among existing and prospective members of the Interswitch Developer Community, educating participants on the company’s APIs and relevant use-cases for building technology products and sharing insights on industry advancements within and outside Interswitch. There was a large number of developers and technology enthusiasts in attendance.
At the event, Nifemi Olatunji, a representative of the company’s human resources department, explained that the company has been certified as a great place to work and is at the forefront of driving growth, creating value within the developer community in Nigeria, and planning to expand to other African countries in the near future.
She said, “the Developer Connect Series is an expression of our commitment to fostering innovation and enabling developers to thrive. Through this initiative, we are providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among developers and professionals in the technology ecosystem, equipping them with the necessary tools and insights to harness the full potential of Interswitch’s APIs, gain valuable insights, and leverage our technology to create transformative solutions.
“At Interswitch, we strongly recognize the importance of nurturing technological talents, and we believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing to drive advancements in the industry.
She enumerated different opportunities available at Interswitch and invited developers, product managers, product designers and technology enthusiasts to join the Developer Connect Series and be part of the immersive learning experience.
“Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting your journey, this event promises to provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and the chance to become part of a vibrant community of innovators,” she said.
Mr. Babafemi Ogungbamila, chief information officer, described his over two decades with the company as interesting and lucrative. He chronicled the journey of the company; its beginning, and how far it has evolved in providing seemless financial technology solutions. He noticed the technology now is at hyper-acceleration compared to what it was then.
Ogungbamila identified the fastest-growing product in the fintech ecosystem now as the one that gives people cash at the point of sale. While stressing the scale of opportunity in the financial ecosystem, he said: “The ecosystem space occupied so far by fintech companies in the country is still less than 10 percent; therefore, the opportunity for developers is huge.
One of the key highlights of the event was the re-introduction of the Interswitch Developer Referral Program, an initiative to incentivize developers who refer potential partners, technology builders, or businesses to Quickteller. This initiative offers referrers a code-free way to earn extra passive income.
Chika Akaeze, Business Development Manager, described the Interswitch referral program as a money making opportunity. He emphasizes the new 5 on 5 plan, where any member that introduces business is entitled to 5 percent for the five years the contract lasts.
Oluwakemi Nwogu, Group Head, Product Management, Interswitch, took the gathering through the Interswitch APIs feature, saying it is friendly to use, secure, scalable, and reliable. She said they believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive advancements in the industry. She therefore enjoined the developers at the event to get registered and take advantage of the competitive advantage.
“These APIs will enable developers to seamlessly integrate payment solutions, value added services, identity verification systems, and other financial services into their applications. By understanding the potential of Interswitch APIs, developers can unlock endless possibilities and create unique experiences for their customers.
“The Developer Connect Series will also feature engaging discussions on the latest industry advancements and emerging trends. Experts and thought leaders will share their experiences and provide valuable insights into the future of digital payments, e-commerce, and technology-driven solutions,” she said.
At the end of the event, a two-million naira prize competition was announced to be won by whoever could develop a seemless payment-solution platform for a startup.