Africa Digest News

The Hedera Africa Hackathon has announced a $2 million prize pool, positioning itself as one of Africa’s largest Web3 competitions to date.

Backed by The Hashgraph Association, Exponential Science Foundation, and Orange Digital Centres, this hybrid event is set to empower over 10,000 developers across 16 African countries to build groundbreaking blockchain solutions.

A Massive Leap for Africa’s Web3 Ecosystem

The Hedera Africa Hackathon is more than a coding competition; it’s a movement to tap into Africa’s tech talent and address real-world challenges using Hedera’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).

With the prize pool now at $2 million (up from the initially announced $1 million), the stakes are higher than ever.

Co-organised by The Hashgraph Association, Exponential Science Foundation, and DAR Blockchain, and powered by Orange Digital Centres across 16 countries, this initiative aims to:

• Promote digital innovation in sectors like finance, healthcare, and sustainability.
• Equip participants with blockchain and Web3 skills through certified training.
• Drive economic inclusion by creating scalable, impactful solutions.

Why the $2M Prize Pool Matters

The doubled prize pool signals a bold commitment to Africa’s tech ecosystem. Here’s what makes this hackathon stand out:

1. Unprecedented Scale: Over 10,000 participants from 16+ African countries, plus global developers, will compete from August 1 to September 30, 2025.
2. Hybrid Format: Physical “hacking stations” in cities like Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo, and Tunis, alongside a fully virtual track, ensure accessibility for all.
3. Focus on Impact: Projects will tackle real-world challenges in finance, healthcare, sustainability, gaming, and AI-driven decentralised systems.

The increased funding not only rewards innovation but also provides mentorship, investor access, and startup support to turn winning ideas into thriving businesses.

READ ALSO:Hashgraph Partners for Web3 Education in Africa

The Power Behind the Hackathon

This initiative is backed by a powerhouse trio:

• The Hashgraph Association: A Swiss non-profit driving global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions.
• Exponential Science Foundation: A leader in responsible tech adoption through research and education.
• Orange Digital Centres (ODC): Offering training and infrastructure across 16 Middle East and African countries.

Orange’s certifying Hedera technology training programme, accessible online and in person, is a cornerstone of the hackathon.

It equips participants, young people, professionals, and project leaders with skills in blockchain and Web3, ensuring they’re ready to compete.

Key Tracks to Watch

The hackathon focuses on four transformative tracks:

1. On-Chain Finance & Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenisation: Building tools for decentralised lending, remittances, and asset tokenisation.
2. ESG Sustainability & Traceability: Creating solutions for transparent supply chains and eco-friendly systems.
3. Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) & AI: Developing secure digital IDs and AI-powered decentralised apps.
4. Gaming, Metaverse & NFTs: Crafting blockchain-based games and digital collectibles for community-driven economies.

Participants can leverage cutting-edge tech like AI, IoT, robotics, and quantum computing, all built on Hedera’s energy-efficient, secure DLT network.

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a developer, student, or entrepreneur, the Hedera Africa Hackathon is open to all skill levels; no prior blockchain experience is required. Here’s how to join:

1. Sign Up: Register at hedera-hackathon.hashgraph.swiss by September 30, 2025.
2. Get Trained:Access free Hedera certification through Orange Digital Centres or online platforms.
3. Build and Compete: Develop solutions in one of the four tracks, with mentorship from Hedera-certified engineers.
4. Win Big: Compete for a share of the $2M prize pool, plus mentorship and investor connections.

Physical hacking stations in major African cities and a virtual track make participation seamless, whether you’re in Nairobi or New York.

READ ALSO:Is Kenya’s Banking Sector About to Go Blockchain?

Why This Is a Turning Point

Africa’s tech scene is booming, with $4.8 billion in startup funding in 2024 (African Tech Startups Report). The Hedera Africa Hackathon taps into this momentum by:

• Empowering Youth: Africa’s young, dynamic tech community gets the tools and stage to shine.
• Solving Real Problems: From mobile money to sustainable supply chains, solutions will address Africa’s unique challenges.
• Building Startups: Winners gain access to mentorship and investors, turning ideas into scalable ventures.

What’s Next for Africa’s Web3 Rise?

The increased $2M prize pool and Orange’s training push signal a new era for Web3 in Africa. With 75% of global mobile money users in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank, 2023), the continent is primed for blockchain innovation.

This hackathon could spark solutions that redefine finance, healthcare, and more, positioning Africa as a global Web3 leader.

Want to be part of this transformation? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on how blockchain can shape Africa’s future in the comments below.

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.