MTN Nigeria launches App Developer Challenge
APP DEVELOPMENT
| July 26, 2013, 7:24 a.m.
By Kokumo Goodie, Lagos, Nigeria
MTN Nigeria has flagged off a competition for mobile application developers. The competition, MTN App Developer Challenge, is focused on development of local content relevant to the Nigerian market.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Lagos this week, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts, said: “The MTN App Developer Challenge is a demonstration of our commitment to deliver a bold new digital world to our various stakeholders. This initiative represents a tangible and credible platform to make our brand promise a reality as well as promote the growth and use of locally relevant content, which would help develop the Nigerian ecosystem via partnerships that are beneficial to the ecosystem at large.”
He said mobile applications have become an essential feature for most mobile users, adding that a growing number of Nigerians now rely on their mobile phones as the preferred choice to stay in touch and be developments in society. He said this has made local Nigerian mobile content more relevant and important than ever before.
According to the marketing chief, MTN, in fulfilment of its brand promise and commitment to enriching the lives of Nigerians, had partnered with neXva, a multi-OS app ecosystem solutions provider, to launch a branded version of the App Store called MTN NextApps Store. He said there are 1330 Apps on MTN store currently, made up of 1213 Free Apps, and117 Premium Apps. He said the collection is growing with a large focus on Nigerian applications.
On his own part, General Manager Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi expressed optimism that the Challenge would produce results that are beneficial to the country, especially in the area of development of locally relevant applications that address the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
Categories for entries in the MTN App Developer Challenge include Entertainment and lifestyle, Productivity, Games, Education, Health and a special category for student entries. The BestOverall Winner will receive a Hyundai IX35 car and N1 million in addition to a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone as well as six months promotion on the MTN NextApps store. Six Winners that will emerge from each category will receive N1 million and a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone as well as six months promotion on the MTN NextApps store.
Participants are expected to submit applications via the challenge website mtnonline.com/challenge from 24 July 2013 to 24 October 2013.
From the 24October till 24 November 2013, customers will be encouraged to visit the ‘Developer Challenge’ section of the Appstore to download their favourite apps. Based on the highest number of downloads, 4 apps will be selected per category. In addition to the top 4 apps per category, each of the 4 judges will select one wild card app per category. The Best Overall winner as well as winners from each category will be announced on 13 December 2013.
