In a major push to accelerate youth-led innovation and financial technology transformation, Crown Caste has been unveiled as a strategic partner for Enugu Hackathon 2025 — a flagship initiative of the Enugu SME Center and the Office of Digital Economy & MSMEs, under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
The collaboration is being described as a turning point in Enugu State’s growing tech ecosystem, combining Crown Caste’s commitment to digital inclusion, fintech advancement, and youth empowerment with the hackathon’s mission of discovering and nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Backing Youth, Fueling Fintech
Crown Caste, a forward-thinking brand at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution, brings more than sponsorship to the table. The company will provide purpose-driven support to teams working on solutions in payments, financial inclusion, digital banking, peer-to-peer lending, and blockchain.
Through the partnership, participants will gain access to:
- Expert mentorship from fintech leaders
- Business advisory and go-to-market support
- Investor exposure and access to funding networks
- Specialized tools, APIs, and sandbox environments
Organisers say this backing will help innovators move from idea to execution, tackling challenges such as simplifying financial access for underserved communities and building next-generation banking platforms.
A Shared Vision of Innovation and Growth
Speaking on the partnership, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy & MSMEs and Director-General of the Enugu SME Center, Mr. Arinze Chilo-Offiah, said the collaboration reflects a shared vision to use youth-driven fintech innovation as a tool for economic growth.
“We’re excited to welcome Crown Caste into the Enugu Hackathon family. This partnership underscores our shared belief that youth innovation, especially in fintech, holds the key to transforming our economy,” Chilo-Offiah said.
“With the full support of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, we are building a pipeline that takes Enugu’s best ideas from campus to market, from code to capital.”
More Than a Hackathon – It’s a Movement
Enugu Hackathon 2025 is designed as more than just a competition. With over US$100,000 in cash, grants, and acceleration opportunities, the program aims to democratize innovation and close the gap between young talent and economic opportunities.
Thanks to partners like Crown Caste, the hackathon is now positioned to support cutting-edge fintech solutions that can scale across Nigeria and beyond — from blockchain-powered microloans to inclusive financial literacy platforms.
What’s Next
As campus rounds continue across Enugu’s leading tertiary institutions, students are already generating ideas that could reshape the way Africans bank, transact, and thrive in the digital economy.
Crown Caste’s involvement sets the stage for a high-impact grand finale, with expectations high that new fintech disruptors will emerge to shape the continent’s financial future.
The organisers encouraged the public to follow the hackathon’s journey on social media via @EnuguSMEQgebcy, @enugucampushack, and @CrownCasteHQ.
