#40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi Edition – Day 39
In the informal trade corridors of Zambia and Malawi, women entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of cross-border commerce. Yet despite their critical role in the economy, these women often face significant hurdles when it comes to accessing financing largely due to rigid banking systems, lack of collateral, and limited investor confidence.
Stepping in to address this funding gap is the Entrepreneur Crowdfunding Platform a blockchain-powered solution developed by a group of young innovators. Their mission: to democratize access to capital and provide a secure, transparent alternative to traditional fundraising mechanisms.
“There are thousands of promising women-led ventures across Zambia and Malawi that simply need a chance to thrive. Our platform aims to provide that chance linking entrepreneurs to a global pool of investors and supporters, all while ensuring trust through smart contracts and cryptocurrency,” said Florence Mvula, Founder of the Entrepreneur Crowdfunding Platform.
The platform’s architecture is built on blockchain technology, enabling decentralized, traceable, and efficient crowdfunding processes. Entrepreneurs can raise funds directly from backers, bypassing intermediaries, while investors enjoy enhanced security and real-time accountability.
From Concept to Creation: Women in FinTech Hackathon
The idea for the Entrepreneur Crowdfunding Platform was born at the inaugural COMESA Women in FinTech Hackathon, hosted by HiPipo in partnership with the COMESA Business Council (CBC). The hackathon brought together 16 teams from Zambia and Malawi to design and pitch digital financial solutions tailored to women and underserved groups.
“The Hackathon was a turning point,” noted Sandra Habasimbi, a co-founder. “We received mentorship from experts, interacted with other innovators, and learned about powerful tools like Mojaloop open source software and the Level One Project framework tools that are helping shape our solution.”
The team praised the initiative for creating a space where innovation meets inclusion, and where young African minds are empowered to address local challenges with global technology.
“We are grateful to HiPipo, COMESA Business Council, and the Gates Foundation for creating this platform for meaningful collaboration and innovation,” Mvula added.
A Spotlight on Innovation and Inclusion
The Entrepreneur Crowdfunding Platform was featured on Day 39 of the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, a project inspired by the success of previous editions in East Africa. Over the last five years, the initiative has showcased more than 200 FinTechs from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda telling stories that have reached millions and influenced the evolution of inclusive finance.
At its core, the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative is about more than just recognition. It’s about supporting digital financial solutions that drive financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and social change. Through frameworks like the Level One Project and tools like Mojaloop, the initiative provides innovators with access to global best practices and open-source resources.
With platforms like Entrepreneur Crowdfunding leading the charge, the future of finance in Africa is becoming more inclusive, more innovative, and more impactful especially for the women who have long been excluded from traditional financial systems.
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