27-5-2025 – A groundbreaking initiative is set to ignite Africa’s technological renaissance as the Hashgraph Association, based in Switzerland, joins forces with the Exponential Science Foundation to unveil the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025. This global event, designed to propel the adoption of Web3 and artificial intelligence across the continent, promises to harness Africa’s vibrant talent pool and burgeoning digital landscape.
Running from 1 August to 30 September, the hackathon boasts a formidable $1 million prize fund and aims to draw over 10,000 innovators, developers, students, and entrepreneurs from 15 African nations. Onsite events will span more than 20 cities, including Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo, Kinshasa, Cape Town, Casablanca, and Tunis, creating a dynamic network of creativity and collaboration. The initiative has already garnered support from over 50 partners and 100 universities and tech hubs, underscoring the continent’s rising prominence in the global Web3 arena.
Kamal Youssefi, president of the Hashgraph Association’s board, articulated the event’s ambitious vision: “We’re leveraging the convergence of Web3 and AI to forge transparent, intelligent solutions that streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and drive automation.” Participants will develop their innovations on the Hedera network, focusing on four key areas: onchain finance and real-world asset tokenisation; sustainability and traceability for environmental, social, and governance goals; self-sovereign identity paired with AI; and gaming, metaverse, and non-fungible token ecosystems. Up to 15 exceptional teams will be rewarded for projects that demonstrate ingenuity, impact, and alignment with the hackathon’s mission.
Africa’s unique position in the Web3 landscape is undeniable. Paolo Tasca, executive chairman of the Exponential Science Foundation, highlighted the continent’s “demographic dynamism and proven appetite for digital innovation.” Yet, he acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly in infrastructure and education, which the hackathon seeks to address. Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population is a powerful asset, and initiatives like Nigeria’s annual programme to train 1,000 citizens in AI and blockchain reflect growing governmental commitment to nurturing this potential.
The continent’s economic realities—marked by high inflation, fragile banking systems, and systemic corruption—have left many without reliable financial services. This gap has fuelled the rise of Web3 platforms like Jambo and Yellow Card, which offer innovative avenues for saving and earning. The hackathon builds on such momentum, amplified by strategic partnerships, such as Hedera’s collaboration with telecommunications giant Orange. This alliance is rolling out digital empowerment programmes across 16 African countries, encompassing training, certification, and the creation of incubation and accelerator hubs.
