As it marks itstwo years of existence, Financial Services Innovators boasts of4,674members, with others still joining.

FSIhas, however,reiteratedits commitment to the creation of an enabling platform for innovators to ideate, develop and commercialise the ideas.

A non-profit organisation, the grouphas,in these two years, created a system that produces talents for the tech ecosystem: from growing a community to clarifying the implication of certain policieson startups, nurturing businesses, partnering key stakeholders and educating startups and innovators.  

The efforts are aimed at aiding the Federal Government of Nigeria’s initiative to reduce the unemployment rate, currently put at 33.3 per cent, according to tradingeconomics.com. 

To mark the event, the Executive Director of FSI, Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, said the organisationlaunched an essay competition for students in tertiary institutions and wouldhandsomely rewardwinners.

“This is an opportunity to transfer knowledge and encourage students in tertiary institutions in their academic pursuits,” Kola-Oladejo said.

She also said that FSI’s key focus areas for 2022 include developing its Founders Community to raise unicorns in Nigeria and Africa.

Discovering techtalents that are employable, globally, and engaging others eager to embark on entrepreneurial journey and enhance collaboration in the ecosystemare part of the new year goals.

“We would continue to organisetech-related challenges for several sectors, including education, health, transportation and insurance, to solve financial inclusion challenges as well as create products for the underserved markets,” she stated.

According to her, Nigeria’s fintech scene has been fraught with several challenges lately, but opportunities abound for innovators and startups.

“We have seen several startups in Nigeria become unicorns despite the economic situation and other limiting factors in the country. Our primarygoal is to build, grow and support an innovative and collaborative ecosystem. It has been a rewarding experience,” she added.

From ideation to market, FSI has supported several startups, Kola-Oladejo noted.

This includes the launch of FSI’s Appstore on its sandbox to serve as a clearing house for startups to interface with a network of partners and venture capitalist firms.

She said, “To date, over 46 people have visited our startup clinics and received the requisite guidance for their business since its launch in April2021. 

“We believe that Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem has a great number of tech talents and innovative products with potential for global markets.” 

The Campus Ambassadors programme, launched in October2021, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Computing Students, facilitates FSI’s plans to nurture talents in tertiary institutions across the federation.

She saidthe sandbox has over 200 APIs from many providers since itslaunch in December 2019.

Stating that key players in the ecosystemhas partnered FSI to support startups, she commended Sterling Bank, FirstCityMonumentBank, Ecobank, Zenith Bank, Heritage Bank, Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, Union Bank, StanbicIBTC, Fidelity Bank, AXA Mansard, Flutterwave, Capricorn Digital and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System for tremendouslysupporting FSI’s growing community of over 4,674 members across the country.

“I would like to use this medium to say a big thank you to all ourdonors – Flourish,EFInA and partners – for the support thus far, while we look forward to greater opportunities in the new year,” Kola-Oladejo added.