The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 is a large-scale, pan-African technology program co-hosted by Exponential Science and The Hashgraph Association. This ambitious initiative seeks to harness the continent’s growing pool of tech talent by inviting developers, startups, students, and digital innovators to build decentralized applications (dApps) powered by Hedera’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
With a total prize pool of $1 million and participation expected from over 10,000 individuals across 20+ African cities and online platforms, the hackathon serves as a catalyst for real-world Web3 adoption across various sectors.
Key Tracks & Innovation Themes
Participants can explore four focused tracks that merge decentralized technologies with practical applications in high-impact industries:
1. Onchain Finance & Real-World Assets (RWA)
This track invites solutions that reimagine financial services by leveraging Hedera’s DLT. Developers can create tools for decentralized lending, remittance, or tokenizing real-world assets like real estate, farms, or commodities. The objective is to expand financial inclusion and accessibility throughout Africa.
2. DLT for Operations
Targeting improvements in operational systems, this track focuses on sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and supply chain logistics. Solutions may include secure patient data systems, transparent food traceability, or automated farmer payments. Participants are encouraged to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly design elements.
3. Gaming and NFTs
Designed for creators in the digital entertainment space, this track supports the development of blockchain-based games, NFT-powered collectibles, virtual environments, and community-driven economies. The aim is to enable greater ownership and monetization of digital assets.
4. AI & DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)
This track blends artificial intelligence with decentralized, community-managed systems. Projects may involve smart applications that learn over time or decentralized infrastructures for energy, transportation, or connectivity. Emphasis is placed on scalable, community-centered innovation.
Prize Pool
- Total Prizes: $1,000,000
- Details: Comprehensive prize breakdown to be announced soon
Program Timeline
Preparation Phase
June 1 – July 31, 2025
Activities:
- Participant onboarding
- Technical and educational workshops
- Community engagement events
Hacking & Mentorship Phase
🗓 August 1 – September 30, 2025
Activities:
- Full project development
- Ongoing mentorship and guidance
- Final submissions due by September 30
Evaluation & Awards
November 3, 2025
Event:
- Final judging and winner announcements during the closing ceremony
Eligibility
The hackathon is open to participants across Africa and globally, including:
- Individual developers
- Student teams
- Startup founders
- Tech innovators
Participants must complete the Hedera Certification Program to be eligible to submit projects.
The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 represents a landmark opportunity for African tech talent to collaborate, innovate, and bring transformative Web3 solutions to life. With significant prizes, global mentorship, and cutting-edge technology, it promises to be one of the continent’s most impactful digital innovation events of the year.