Igniting blockchain-powered solutions to real-world problems
Learn state of the art blockchain technologies
Represent your university and country
Prove yourself to world-leading blockchain protocols
Don't miss out!
About
Hackathon
The African Blockchain Championship is unlocking the potential of blockchain for Africa’s growth.Targeting Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, it brings together over 1,500 university hackers for in-person innovation.These students collaborate with sponsors, refine ideas through expert coaching, and attend workshops on pitching and project development.Beyond competition, policymakers, financial institutions, and NGOs join in, setting the stage for real-world impact.With startup incubation and hands-on training, this is your chance to shape the future of blockchain in developing economies. Don’t miss out—be part of the change.
Organised by
DirectEd Development (DirectEd) offers world-class training and apprenticeships, preparing African students for remote roles with top Western tech firms. We partner with leading educational institutions across Africa and offer foundational courses in web development, UI/UX design and AI. Top students are then offered spots in our Talent Program, where they get apprenticeship with tech startups and specialised training in blockchain, cybersecurity or cloud.Interested in our program? Head over to our website, fill out the form and help us expand to gain a spot in our next cohort.
Prizes
$20,000+
Available in Prizes
"Blockchain for Development" is the core theme of this competition, where innovation meets impact.The team that demonstrates the highest excellence in leveraging blockchain for real-world solutions will be crowned the champion.But the rewards don't end there, the top two teams will take home the world’s most powerful $99 phone, the Jambo 2 , giving you even more chances to shine.Don’t miss your chance to be recognized and rewarded for your groundbreaking work in the blockchain space.
Judging Criteria
Relevance: How well does the project address a key development challenge, such as financial inclusion, healthcare access, or education?Impact Potential: What is the potential of the project to drive meaningful change in the specified area of development?Feasibility: Is the solution practical and realistic for implementation within its target environment?Blockchain Utilization: How effectively does the project leverage blockchain technology to create unique value? This may include areas like transparency, security and decentralization.Sustainability: How sustainable is the project in terms of ongoing maintenance, support, and funding?
Adaptability: Is the project adaptable to evolving needs or future advancements in blockchain technology?Value Proposition for the Sponsor: How valuable is the project to the sponsor in terms of applicability to their business or mission?Pitch Clarity: How clearly is the project idea and its impact communicated during the pitch?
SPONSORS
DIAMOND
FLock stands at the forefront of federated machine learning on the blockchain. Having recently closed a $6 million seed round, it is building a world-first collaborative and composable dAI fine-tuning platform with on-chain governance, local training and hosting, and RAG. The London-based startup, founded by a group of Oxford graduates, is on a mission to redirect power from centralised corporations into the hands of the community.
Cardano has been at the forefront of blockchain innovation and is the perfect platform for changemakers who want to create solutions to real-world problems. It is the first blockchain platform to be built through peer-reviewed research, Cardano exists to redistribute power from unaccountable structures and be an enabling force for positive change and progress.
Imagine a platform where developers can build fast, reliable, and private apps, without relying on central authorities. That's Avalanche! Their core values shine through in their work: decentralization ensures users control their data, security protects against threats, scalability supports widespread adoption, and community-driven innovation fosters collaboration and growth.
Masumi is a blockchain-based network protocol designed to unlock the AI agent economy by enabling seamless collaboration and monetization among AI agents. By providing unique, verifiable identities and decision logging, Masumi ensures trust and accountability in agent interactions. The protocol equips AI agents with wallets and smart contracts, facilitating secure and transparent transactions. Built on the Cardano blockchain, Masumi leverages advanced technologies to support large-scale, parallel interactions between agents. Developed by Serviceplan Group and NMKR, Masumi is set to launch on the Cardano Mainnet at the World Economic Forum at Davos 2025, aiming to revolutionize autonomous agent collaboration across various industries.
PLATINUM
zkPass is a zkTLS oracle protocol that makes web private data verifiable, offering tools for secure data sharing with privacy and integrity guarantees from any HTTPS website, without OAuth APIs or server modifications.
The BGA is an NPO founded by Bybit that supports projects utilizing blockchain for public good through hackathons, incubation and an annual awards ceremony that recognizes impactful innovations aligned with the United Nations’ sustainability goals.
PHONE SPONSOR
The world's most widely distributed DePIN smartphone, bringing emerging markets onchain. The Jambo Ecosystem offers the $99 JamboPhone, a web Android smartphone, and the JamboApp, a superapp with dApp store, questing platform, and multichain noncustodial.
Location
Primary Locations
Kenyatta University, Kenya
University of Lagos, Nigeria
University of Rwanda
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Ethiopia
Satellite Locations
Jomo Kenyatta University, Kenya
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Kigali Independent University, Rwanda
University of Nigeria
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Technical University of Kenya
African Leadership University, Rwanda
University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Dedan Kimathi University, KenyaAnd many more…
Timeline
| Date/Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| March | In-person Diamond Workshop |
| April 12-13 | Hackathon Kickoff |
| April 13-May 11 | Builder Phase |
Saturday, April 12th
| Time(GMT) | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00-11:00 | Check-in with arrival refreshment and networking | Main Venue |
| 11:00-13:00 | Beginners Workshop | Main Venue |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch or Afternoon Tea | Main Venue |
| 15:00-16:00 | Opening Keynotes | Main Venue |
| 16:00-17:30 | Sponsors Workshop | Main Venue |
| 17:30-19:00 | Mentorship office hours & Team Formation | Main Venue |
Sunday, April 13th
| Time(GMT) | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Beginners Blockchain Intro | Main Venue |
| 14:00 | Lunch | Main Venue |
| 14:30 | Help desk, mentors contact & help request form | Main Venue |
The final submission deadline is May 12, one month after the hackathon weekend—giving you ample time to refine your project and make it truly stand out.During this period, participants will have the exclusive opportunity to collaborate directly with sponsors, gaining invaluable insights and support.You’ll also receive expert coaching and attend workshops on pitching and project development, ensuring you're fully equipped to take your project to the next level.This is your chance to perfect your work and boost your chances of success in the final submission! The grand finale will on May 24th, where the top projects will be awarded after the judging.
FAQ
Q. What is the African Blockchain Championship (ABC)?
A. The ABC is a hackathon that brings together top talent from universities across Africa to develop innovative blockchain solutions. The event includes workshops, mentorship, and networking, with the goal of showcasing real-world blockchain applications in developing economies.Q. Who can participate in the ABC?
A. The event is open to developers across Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Participants must have a background or interest in coding, blockchain, or related technologies.Q. Do I need prior experience in blockchain to participate?
A. No, prior experience in blockchain is not mandatory. We offer pre-hackathon workshops to help participants get up to speed on blockchain fundamentals. However, basic coding knowledge is beneficial.Q. How do I register for the hackathon?
A. You can register for the event by visiting the registration page on our website and filling in your details. Make sure to register early as spots are limited and fill up quickly!Q. What is the structure of the event?
A. The event kickoff spans over three days, starting with workshops and keynotes on blockchain for development followed by a one month builder phase.Q. Where will the hackathon be held?
A. The hackathon will be held across various university campuses in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nigeria. The main location is Kenyatta University, Nairobi, with hybrid keynotes and workshops available for other participating venues.
Q. Can we participate as a team?
A. Yes, participants are encouraged to form teams. Teams can consist of 3-5 members. If you don’t have a team, don’t worry — we will help you find one at the start of the event.Q. What kind of projects are we expected to build?
A. Participants are encouraged to develop solutions that leverage blockchain technology to solve real-world problems in areas like finance, healthcare, education, and more. The focus is on impact and innovation.Q. How do I prepare for the event?
A. Participants can prepare by attending the pre-hackathon workshops, reviewing the provided learning materials, and familiarizing themselves with blockchain development tools. We’ll also provide a list of suggested resources on our website.Q. Will there be mentorship during the event?
A. Yes, participants will have access to expert mentors from the blockchain industry throughout the hackathon. These mentors will help guide teams and provide valuable feedback on their projects.Q. How will submissions be judged?
A. Submissions will be judged based on creativity, technical difficulty, potential impact, and feasibility. The judging panel will include experts from the blockchain industry, policymakers, and academics.Q. Can we continue working on our projects after the hackathon?
A. Absolutely! Winning teams will have the opportunity to enter incubation programs, receive mentorship, and access resources to further develop their projects.
Q. Will there be prizes for the winners?
A. Yes! We offer prizes totaling over $20,000 in cash and other resources to support the development and launch of winning projects. Winning teams may also have opportunities for incubation and mentorship after the event.
Team
Simon Sällström
Lead organiser
Edward Tife Malomo-Young
Head of operations
Moses Kahure
Partnerships
Kidus Elias
Head of curriculum