Hedera Africa Hackathon Launches with $1M Prize Pool to Accelerate Africa's Digital Future
The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss non-profit organisation driving global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions by funding innovation, training, certification, and venture building programs, in collaboration with Exponential Science Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation accelerating responsible tech adoption, via research, education, and innovation activities, today announces the launch of the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 to enable the next generation of Web developers and empower economic inclusion in Africa with a digital future for all.This biggest Web3 Hackathon initiative combines online participation with onsite events in over 20 African cities, with a goal of attracting over 10,000 participants across more than 15 countries on the African continent. Developers, students, and entrepreneurs are invited to collaborate to build decentralized solutions on Hedera across industries such as Finance, Healthcare, Telecoms, Sustainability, Agriculture, and Manufacturing, while leveraging the convergence of other deep technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, and Quantum Computing, with a prize pool of more than $1 million on offer for the winning teams and projects.With global participation officially open from August 1 to September 30, 2025, the hackathon tasks applicants to develop blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based, scalable solutions tailored to the continent's most urgent challenges and needs. All solutions will be built on the Hedera network - the world's most energy-efficient and cost-effective DLT, which offers cost predictability, the highest levels of security, and the ability to support reliable, scalable, and enterprise-grade applications.Already having secured the backing and participation of more than 50 global and regional partners to be announced over the next few weeks, as well as over 100 universities and tech hubs, the hackathon is designed to be the largest of its kind on the African continent. The event will offer extensive technical education, certification, and hands-on support from Hedera-Certified engineers, with hacking stations to be established in cities such as Lagos, Cairo, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Cape Town, Casablanca, and Tunis for in-person collaboration, alongside a fully virtual Hackathon track accessible worldwide.'Africa is home to one of the youngest, most enthusiastic and dynamic tech communities in the world; its future will depend on digitization,' said Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association. 'By equipping developers and entrepreneurs with Web3 skills and next generation toolkits, we're not just solving today's problems, we're shaping the future of decentralized innovation in one of the world's most significant growth markets, fostering a digital future for all through financial, identity, and communication inclusion.'The hackathon aims to catalyze continuous innovation across four key tracks: On-Chain Finance and Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenisation; ESG Sustainability and Traceability; Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and AI; and Gaming, Metaverse, & NFTs.Developers of all skill levels and backgrounds are encouraged to participate — no prior blockchain experience is required. Extensive training resources will be provided through the Hedera Academy, with access to a thriving developer community.The Hashgraph Association and the Exponential Science Foundation will be carrying out awareness and training campaigns to prepare participants for the hackathon before the official start date on August 1st 2025.'Initiatives such as the Hedera Africa Hackathon encourage the next generation of tech builders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. As well as driving blockchain education and innovation within a continent that is showing incredible growth potential. We encourage anyone with an interest in blockchain technology to sign up and start developing the next wave of practical solutions across multiple industries to gain valuable experience and a chance to claim the prize pool. Our hope is that participants will go on to launch their own ventures and share their learnings,' said Paolo Tasca, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Exponential Science Foundation.
The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 is operated and supported by a strong network of partners, under the experienced leadership of DAR Blockchain, a Tunisian-based Web3 Hub that has been operating in the Web3 industry since 2017. DAR Blockchain plays a significant role in magnifying the impact of this hackathon initiative across the continent and builds on THA's previous efforts to support blockchain innovation in Africa.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Al Bawaba
ADU Elevates Innovation at the 12th URIC, MENA's Premier Undergraduate Research Competition
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) hosted the 12th edition of the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC) on May 29 at its main campus in Abu Dhabi. For the third consecutive year, the event was sponsored by RTX, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to supporting STEM education and fostering innovation in the UAE and beyond. The hybrid annual event brought together exceptional undergraduate talent from around the world to present breakthrough research and creative solutions across 27 academic disciplines, including engineering, business, education, law, and health sciences. This year's competition drew 650 research submissions from approximately 1,300 students representing 105 universities across 14 countries, reaffirming URIC's position as the largest undergraduate research platform in the GCC and MENA region. The event celebrated a diverse range of pioneering projects, including innovations in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering and Clinical Sciences, Cybersecurity, Finance, Fintech, E-commerce, and Digital Marketing, Sustainable and Renewable Energy, highlighting the breadth and depth of innovation led by undergraduate students. Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, commented: 'URIC continues to shine a spotlight on the ingenuity and research excellence of our youth. At ADU, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture of discovery that empowers students to drive meaningful change. Through initiatives like URIC, we bridge academia with real-world impact - nurturing young innovators who will shape the UAE's future as a knowledge-based, sustainable economy. RTX's sustained partnership with URIC has been invaluable in providing students with the resources and opportunities to translate their innovative ideas into tangible solutions. Their commitment directly contributes to the development of a skilled workforce ready to tackle future challenges.' He added: 'We are immensely proud of all participating students and grateful to the faculty mentors, judges, and strategic partners who help bring this event to life each year.' Professor Montasir Qasymeh, Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Academic Development at Abu Dhabi University, said: 'This year's competition has hosted startup companies and witnessed significant interest from stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, and venture capital firms. Students were actively involved in various aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship. This is a significant experience for students, helping them mature to a competitive level by gaining hands-on expertise.' Fahad Al Mheiri, Managing Director of Raytheon Emirates, an RTX business, stated: "We are proud to partner with Abu Dhabi University for the third consecutive year and cultivate the next generation of STEM talent through URIC. By fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and providing opportunities for students to develop advanced solutions through research, we aim to support the UAE's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and build a thriving, knowledge-based future." In addition to the core research competition, ADU reintroduced the dedicated Innovation Track, open to UAE-based students with high-potential business ideas. Three winning teams were awarded seed funding, mentorship from industry leaders, and access to ADU's incubation hub to support the development of viable, market-ready ventures. Now in its twelfth year, URIC has become a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi University's commitment to championing youth-driven research and entrepreneurship. The competition aligns closely with the UAE's vision to empower emerging talent, foster knowledge creation, and build a more inclusive and sustainable future. In 2024, URIC attracted nearly 600 research submissions spanning 27 disciplines, with participation from 1,400 students representing 78 universities across 16 countries in the MENA region and beyond. Delivered in a hybrid format, the competition continues to grow its global reach while cultivating a vibrant platform for students to innovate, collaborate, and lead. For more information about Abu Dhabi University, please visit:
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Al Bawaba
United Arab Bank partners with Emirates Face Recognition (EFR) to Launch a Seamless and Secure Digital Banking Experience via Its New Mobile App.
United Arab Bank (UAB) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Emirates Face Recognition (EFR), a leading UAE-based technology provider of cutting-edge facial recognition and digital identity verification signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Shirish Bhide, CEO of United Arab Bank; Mr. Emre Yalcin, Head of Retail Banking at United Arab Bank; and Mr. Zack Charkas, CEO of Emirates Face Recognition, Talha Khan, Head of Product at Emirates Face Recognition, along with senior executives from both agreement highlights UAB's commitment to providing best-in-class digital banking solutions and aligns with the Central Bank of the UAE's directives to adopt advanced technologies that enhance customer privacy, minimize fraud, and simplify digital services. Moreover, this initiative reflects UAB's continued dedication to innovation, regulatory compliance, and superior customer this occasion, Shirish Bhide, CEO of United Arab Bank, said: "We are proud to partner with an innovative national company like Emirates Face Recognition, which shares our ambitions to deliver efficient, secure and fast banking solutions while supporting the UAE's transition to a digital-first lifestyle. This agreement represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation roadmap and reaffirms our commitment to innovation and customer-focused security."Emre Yalcin, Head of Retail Banking at United Arab Bank, commented: "Our partnership with EFR is a key milestone in delivering our vision of a seamless, secure, and fully integrated digital banking experience through our upcoming Mobile Banking App. By placing advanced biometric technologies at the core of our services, we are reshaping how customers engage with the bank ─ offering greater convenience, enhanced security, and peace of mind. This initiative also strengthens our ability to support customers throughout their financial journey, while ensuring full alignment with the highest regulatory and safety standards."Zack Charkas, CEO of Emirates Face Recognition, added: "We are pleased to take part in the ambitious digital transformation journey led by United Arab Bank. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating long-term value with a future-forward outlook. At EFR, we are committed to delivering trusted, secure and innovative solutions driven by a passion for excellence."Talha Khan, Head of Product at Emirates Face Recognition, commented: 'Our partnership with United Arab Bank reflects a shared commitment to purposeful innovation. We've worked closely to deliver a trusted, cutting-edge solution tailored to UAB's goals and client experience. It's been a true collaboration, and we look forward to building on this foundation to drive lasting impact together."Emirates Face Recognition is one of the UAE's leading national companies in the field of biometric verification and digital identity solutions. EFR serves both government and private sector entities with secure and seamless technologies that enhance service efficiency, reliability, and user trust. This partnership precedes the upcoming launch of UAB's new Mobile Banking App, which will deliver a whole new customer experience, especially in instant account-opening, a wide range of digital services, and automated KYC updates. The new app will empower UAB customers to access services securely and conveniently without the need to visit a branch, offering a seamless, fully digital banking experience that meets the needs of today's always-connected lifestyle.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Al Bawaba
du and Transguard Group join forces to drive digital transformation
du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transguard Group, the region's leading business support and outsourcing provider. The partners aim to collaborate across various domains, fostering innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation aligned with du's over eight years, Transguard Group has been entrusted with providing top-tier Facilities Management services across various du locations, including its headquarters in Dubai Hills. This new agreement expands upon their existing relationship, setting a foundation for future ventures in developing cutting-edge services and solutions that will revolutionize the Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du said: "We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Transguard Group, a collaboration that marks a milestone in our journey towards achieving excellence in the digital arena. This partnership aims to enhance our services in line with our commitment to embrace digital transformation, shaping the future of telecom solutions in the region."The partnership will explore innovative collaboration models, clearly defining roles and responsibilities with an eye towards crafting digital solutions that enhance operational efficiencies and drive transformative change. 'We are proud to be entering this collaboration with du, which will fortify our already robust digital transformation initiatives,' stated Rabie Atieh, Chief Executive Officer, Transguard Group. 'As longtime partners who have enabled one another's success on multiple occasions, this cooperative effort will have a positive impact on not only our operations but also on the welfare of our site-based colleagues.' The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations, combining du's expertise in telecom and digital services with Transguard's expertise in business support and outsourcing. It is a leap towards building a digital ecosystem that not only meets the evolving needs of customers but also sets new benchmarks in the industry.
