Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Others Compete for N20m Prize at AfCFTA Hackathon
The inaugural AfCFTA Hackathon 2025 has kicked off in Lagos, Nigeria, with over 200 youth in Tek from throughout Africa vying for the N20 million grand prize.
The competitors, a part of the continuing Science of Commerce (SOT) Convention 2025, options candidates from Nigeria, the Gambia, Malawi, Ghana, Niger, and Algeria.
Talking on the occasion’s opening on Thursday, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Nationwide Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Workplace, described the Hackathon as a groundbreaking initiative that advances alternatives underneath the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA) framework and in step with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Awolowo, who was represented by Olusegun Olutayo, the Senior Commerce Skilled/Lead on the Coordination Workplace, emphasised the occasion’s significance, stating: “By fostering innovation via digital platforms, we’re enabling companies to thrive in a borderless, tech-driven market.”
He challenged individuals to develop cutting-edge technological options that streamline regional commerce and cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
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“This high-impact problem goals to speed up digital commerce inside Nigeria and throughout Africa, supporting the sensible implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Commerce Protocol,” he added. “The Hackathon demonstrates expertise’s potential to bridge gaps, streamline commerce, and propel Africa’s financial integration within the digital period.”
Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director Basic of the Nationwide Data Know-how Improvement Company (NITDA), famous the Hackathon’s timeliness, given Africa’s rising demand for digital options to facilitate seamless cross-border funds and commerce.
Represented by Dr. Salisu Kaka, Director of e-Authorities and Digital Financial system Improvement, Kashifu acknowledged that the initiative aligns with the extant provisions of the AfCFTA Digital Commerce Protocol and NITDA’s mandate to unlock new frontiers in digital commerce.
Dr. Inya Lawal, convener of the SOT Convention, expressed optimism in regards to the Hackathon’s prospects, praising the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Workplace for championing the initiative.
In the meantime, Adeboyejo Seun, Chief Product Officer at GFA Applied sciences, revealed the participant breakdown: 209 certified Nigerians, alongside 5 from the Gambia, 3 from Malawi, 2 from Ghana, 1 from Niger, and 1 from Algeria.
The AfCFTA Hackathon is organized by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Workplace in partnership with Ascend Studios Basis, Cherith-Code Idea, NITDA, GFA Applied sciences, Amazon Internet Companies and others as a part of the SOT Convention 2025—an annual tech and digital ecosystem occasion.
The AfCFTA Hackathon continues till Saturday third Might, 2025.
