As a researcher, few experiences are more gratifying than seeing your research come to life. With this in mind, we started our seven-month #DataHack4FI competition, bringing together young data enthusiasts, innovation hubs, development partners, fintechs and financial service providers (FSPs) to mobilise the data market around financial inclusion.

From the outset, our aim was to connect emerging data scientists with opportunities to apply their skills to the challenge of delivering valuable financial services to the unserved and underserved across the African continent. With more than 100 participants partaking in the final round of the country competitions, greater mentoring and training were offered to build capacity amongst all country finalists, through Masterclass sessions offered by the i2i team and our in-country partners.

The intervention was important, as our research highlighted gaps in skills required on the continent to meet the expected demand for data-driven solutions to real-world challenges. At the same time, we sought to create communities of innovation through data by bringing together FSPs, development partners, innovation hubs and fintechs, thereby providing a platform to share data challenges and solutions. In this booklet we also showcase these connection and the effects they could have in furthering the goal of financial inclusion in the seven participating countries in Africa (Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique and Senegal).

The DataHack4FI Competition came to a close in May 2017, after seven months of crowdsourcing data-driven solutions.

insight2impact (i2ifacility) was funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. The programme was established and driven by Cenfri and Finmark Trust.