Hello Tractor Wins 5th Catapult Inclusion Africa

James Goode, Chief Commercial Officer of Hello Tractor, pictured, received the Catapult Inclusion Africa Prize (Photo © Hello Tractor)

The LHoFT crowned Nigerian Fintech/Agtech Hello Tractor winner of its fifth Catapult Inclusion Africa Programme. 

The winner was selected from 13 finalists working in the African continent who attended a weeklong financial inclusion bootcamp in Luxembourg. 

The programme, which was developed by LHoFT with support from Luxembourg’s ministry of foreign and European affairs and directorate for development and humanitarian affairs, culminated in a final three-minute pitching contest at the LHoFT innovation hub on 28 October. The jury then quizzed the finalists before announcing a winner. 

Hello Tractor promotes tractor co-sharing in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in Washington, DC, in 2014, its platform provides remote tracking of assets, preventing fraud and machine misuse, through virtual tractor monitoring. As part of its prize, Hello Tractor receive €5,000, plus support and a year at the LHoFT’s incubator space rent-free.

“Out of an incredibly capable field, it is an honor to win this prestigious award. The combination of peer-to-peer learning through the Catapult cohort, world-class mentors and guest speakers, has equipped Hello Tractor with newfound views,” said Jamie GOODE, CCO of Hello Tractor.

Since it was founded, CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa has accelerated more than 60 companies from over 20 countries. This year, 426 fintechs applied, a group which was whittled down to 15 for the one-week programme.

CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa aims to help Fintech companies with the goal of improving financial inclusion across the African continent. It covers a range of topics, including business model mapping, scaling strategies, peer due diligence processes, sales strategies, business plan presentation, operational and risk management, funding and capital raising as well as social impact.

Some of the Catapult Inclusion Africa finalists are pictured with Luxembourg economy minster Franz Fayot at the Arch Summit (Photo © LHoFT)

Building on local expertise and aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance centre, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and patron of the programme, Franz Fayot said that the selected fintechs “illustrate how the financial inclusion sector has managed to deploy technology in an extraordinary way, often promoting financial services relevant to local needs.” He also stressed that “fintech innovation acts in a responsible way.”

The programme was supported by key strategic partners such as LFF (Luxembourg For Finance), ADA (Appui au Développement Autonome), InFine.lu, LMDF (Luxembourg Microfinance and Development Fund), SPTF (Social Performance Task Force), LuxDev, Bloc Smart Africa Fund, BPF (Business Partnership Facility), AFI (Alliance for Financial Inclusion), EIB (European Investment Bank), Bamboo Capital Partners, ACRC (Africa Cybersecurity Resource Centre), Double Feather Partners, Compellio, Amarante Consulting/Avrio and  Africa Business Tour and BPC Banking Solutions.

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