Interswitch Advances Startup Ecosystem Growth, Supports Emerging Founders at Kano Startup Weekend 2025
Ajayi Olubunmi January 9, 2026 0
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, played a pivotal role in supporting innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship as a sponsor of the maiden Kano Startup Weekend, themed “Igniting Innovation & Empowering Entrepreneurs”, which took place from December 13 to 14, 2025 in Kano.
Through mentorship sessions, networking forums, and active engagement during the startup pitch competition, the company provided practical insights, exposure to developer-friendly platforms, and guidance on building scalable digital businesses.
The Kano Startup Weekend (KSW) 2025 is the flagship entrepreneurship and innovation event hosted by the Kano State Government through the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). Aligned with the Kano State Digital Transformation Agenda (2025–2030), the event aimed to ignite Kano’s startup ecosystem, foster collaboration, and position the state as a leading hub for technology and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
The weekend featured pitch presentations from startups across technology, education, agriculture, mobility, and digital services, complemented by expert-led sessions on product development, funding readiness, customer acquisition, and scaling strategies. These engagements equipped founders with tools to refine their ideas while connecting with partners capable of supporting their next stage of growth.
Giving his keynote speech, Patrick Okebu, Chief Information Officer, Interswitch, emphasised the strategic importance of supporting regional innovation ecosystems. He said:
“Kano Startup Weekend reflects the depth of entrepreneurial potential emerging from Northern Nigeria. At Interswitch, we recognise that innovation thrives when founders have access to the right platforms, mentorship, and enabling infrastructure. Our support for this event aligns with our commitment to empowering startups with payment and digital commerce solutions that help them build confidently, scale sustainably, and compete effectively in today’s economy.”
Beyond individual mentorship and the pitch sessions, KSW 2025 created opportunities for meaningful collaboration between the public sector, private organisations, investors, and the startup community, demonstrating how strong partnerships can accelerate innovation and drive inclusive economic growth.
The success of the inaugural Kano Startup Weekend highlighted the growing momentum within Kano State’s technology ecosystem and the increasing role of strategic partnerships in driving inclusive innovation. Interswitch noted that initiatives such as KSW are critical to expanding economic opportunity, nurturing local talent, and strengthening Nigeria’s broader digital economy.
Through its sponsorship and active participation, Interswitch contributed meaningfully to the success of theKano Startup Weekend. The engagement reinforced the company’s position as a trusted partner to founders, developers, and innovation enablers across Nigeria and beyond while highlighting its commitment to supporting platforms that foster entrepreneurship, skills development, and regional collaboration.
