Paystack has been announced as the primary sponsor of the 2025 Kids Innovation Challenge (KIC), a nationwide hackathon hosted by The Destiny Trust, a leading non-profit focused on children’s education, wellbeing, and STEAM empowerment. The initiative engages children from underrepresented backgrounds to design tech-driven solutions for challenges affecting their communities.
In a joint statement, Onyinye Okwundu and Teju Adeyinka, co-leads for Technology and Skills Development at The Destiny Trust, said the partnership expands the mission to nurture Africa’s next-gen tech talent: “Paystack’s investment in young innovators demonstrates a new level of social responsibility and commitment to building talents for the digital economy.”
Focus Areas and Participation
The 2025 challenge focuses on three pressing issues:
- Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis
- Healthcare access
- Youth employment
Since opening applications in May, entries have come from all 36 states, with many projects leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics. The grand finale will take place in Lagos on September 20, 2025, where 10 finalists will present their innovations to a panel of tech leaders, investors, and venture builders. Beyond the competition, participants will receive mentorship to refine and scale their solutions.
Broader Impact and Training
The Kids Innovation Challenge caps off The Destiny Trust’s tech bootcamps for children aged 10–17, held across Borno, Anambra, Taraba, Oyo, and Lagos States. Since August, over 500 children have received immersive training in technology and the arts, equipping them with future-ready skills.
Founded in 2012, The Destiny Trust has empowered thousands of disadvantaged children by integrating education with in-demand technology and arts skills. Through its Kids Innovation Africa initiative, the trust goes beyond digital literacy to help children become creators, not just consumers, of technology.
Holistic Support
Beyond education, the Trust provides shelter, healthcare, food, and free schools for street children and out-of-school youth, ensuring a stable foundation for long-term learning and growth. Its holistic model addresses socio-economic challenges such as homelessness, poverty, and neglect, making education sustainable for vulnerable groups.
