The Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR) hosted a virtual TechSprint focused on detecting and combating payment fraud in West Africa. This event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including technology companies, consumer protection agencies, payment service providers, innovators, regulators, and subject matter experts to collaboratively create solutions.
As digital economies expand across West Africa, the rapid adoption of digital payment systems has introduced new opportunities for growth, but also a troubling increase in fraud, threatening consumer trust. Addressing these challenges demands a coordinated global response. A response prioritizing enhanced security and the implementation of robust consumer protection frameworks to ensure safe and equitable access to digital finance.
Read our findings from the roundtables we hosted in West Africa and with global experts to inform the focus of the TechSprint.
The TechSprint featured two distinct tracks, each designed to accommodate different skill sets, innovation stages, and objectives. We invited individuals and organizations to participate in the track that best fit their current work or interests. This pack provides all the details required for participation. Inside it, you’ll find more information on the tracks, eligibility criteria, the use cases being addressed and timelines.
From 18 – 22 November 2024, we invited existing teams and organizations with an idea, prototype, or MVP that addresses payment fraud to join the 5-day TechSprint.
Learn more about the MVP track from the participant pack.
Application closing date: 25 October 2024.
From 23 October – 20 November 2024, we invited individuals with developer and / or data practitioner1 skills to improve the Tazama tool for use in fraud detection or to use Tazama to develop low cost solutions that ensure continuous fraud detection capabilities.
Learn more about the Tazama track from the participant pack.
Application closing date: 18 October 2024.
This TechSprint provided individuals with expertise in payment systems, payment fraud, data management/governance, data protection and privacy laws, consumer protection, financial regulation, mobile money, gender and financial inclusion with the opportunity to mentor and offer subject matter expertise to the participants.
Learn more about the Floating Expert role from the participant pack.
Application closing date is 18 October 2024.
Alongside the TechSprint, we hosted a virtual conference featuring knowledgeable and inspirational speakers and panelists who discussed the challenges and the solutions to combat digital payment fraud in West Africa. Topics included the importance of gender disaggregated data; consumer protection challenges in West Africa; and the process and challenges of the redress and complaints process.
Attendees were also be able to join the TechSprint demo day, where audiences had the opportunity to see the solutions that the participants worked hard to develop throughout the week.
The conference ran from 18 to 22 November 2024 and is open to everyone.
Terms of Participation for the MVP Track here.
Terms of Participation for the Tazama Track here.
1 Data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, DBAs etc
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