The inaugural AfCFTA Hackathon 2025 has officially begun in Lagos, Nigeria, with over 200 young innovators from across Africa competing for a grand prize of N20 million. The event is part of the ongoing Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, attracting participants from Nigeria, the Gambia, Malawi, Ghana, Niger, and Algeria.
At the event’s opening on Thursday, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, described the Hackathon as a groundbreaking initiative that aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Represented by Olusegun Olutayo, the Senior Trade Expert/Lead at the Coordination Office, Awolowo emphasized the Hackathon’s significance in fostering innovation and creating opportunities in the African digital trade ecosystem.
“By leveraging digital platforms, we are enabling businesses to thrive in a borderless, tech-driven marketplace,” Awolowo said, challenging participants to develop cutting-edge technological solutions that would streamline regional trade and cross-border transactions across Africa. He further highlighted the event’s role in accelerating digital trade within Nigeria and Africa, supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), underscored the Hackathon’s timeliness in addressing Africa’s growing demand for digital solutions that facilitate seamless cross-border payments and trade. Represented by Dr. Salisu Kaka, Director of e-Government and Digital Economy Development, Kashifu highlighted how the initiative supports NITDA’s mandate to unlock new frontiers in digital trade.
Dr. Inya Lawal, convener of the SOT Conference, expressed optimism about the Hackathon’s potential, commending the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office for leading this transformative initiative.
Adeboyejo Seun, Chief Product Officer at GFA Technologies, revealed the participant breakdown, with 209 qualified Nigerians and representatives from other African nations, including the Gambia, Malawi, Ghana, Niger, and Algeria. The AfCFTA Hackathon is organized by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office in partnership with Ascend Studios Foundation, Cherith-Code Concept, NITDA, GFA Technologies, Amazon Web Services, and others, as part of the SOT Conference 2025.
The AfCFTA Hackathon will continue until Saturday, May 3, 2025.
