Africa's Talking plays a key role in enhancing 2G solutions while ensuring Transport and logistics businesses grow sustainably. Africa's Talking invites you to the Transport and Logistics Solution Hackathon, where we welcome innovative minds to develop solutions aimed at enhancing sustainable economy, efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability within the transport and logistics sector. Join us in this endeavor to create impactful changes that contribute to a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly industry.

Transport and logistics play a significant role in Africa's economy, serving as the backbone for trade, economic integration, and regional development. This sector is crucial for connecting goods and services to markets, ensuring the mobility of people, and facilitating international trade. 

SMS API

• Customer Notifications: Send SMS notifications to customers about package dispatches, arrivals, and delivery schedules.
• Driver Coordination: Communicate with drivers for route updates, delivery confirmations, and real-time instructions.
• Alerts and Reminders: Automated alerts for maintenance schedules, delivery deadlines, or emergency situations.

 Voice API

• Customer Support: Implement IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems for customer inquiries, allowing customers to track parcels or report issues using their phone.
• Driver Verification: Use voice authentication for secure access to vehicles or confirmation of deliveries without the need for physical documentation.

USSD API

• Real-time Data Access: Enable drivers and logistics managers to access critical information such as delivery schedules, route changes, or cargo details via USSD, ensuring connectivity even in areas with limited internet access.
• Customer Feedback: Collect immediate feedback from customers on delivery services through simple USSD surveys.

Airtime API

• Incentives and Rewards: Send airtime as incentives to drivers for achieving safety or efficiency milestones and to customers as part of loyalty programs.

Chat API 

• Facilitates real-time messaging through popular platforms such as WhatsApp and SMS, making it easier for financial institutions to send transaction alerts, payment reminders, and promotional messages directly to their customers' most used chat applications.

Several factors contribute to the importance of transport and logistics in Africa:

• Economic Integration and Trade: Efficient transport and logistics services are essential for the economic integration of African countries and for increasing intra-Africa trade, which has been historically low compared to other regions. Improved transport links facilitate access to regional and global markets, supporting trade and investment.
• Agricultural Sector: The sector is particularly important for connecting rural areas, where a significant portion of Africa's agricultural production takes place, to urban markets. This connectivity is crucial for food security and for the livelihoods of those depending on agriculture.
• Industrialization and Urbanization: As African countries continue to industrialize and urbanize, the demand for efficient transport and logistics services grows. These services are necessary to support manufacturing processes, construction activities, and the urban supply chain.
• Investment and Infrastructure Development: There is a strong link between transport/logistics infrastructure development and economic growth. Investments in roads, railways, ports, and airports can significantly reduce costs, improve competitiveness, and attract foreign direct investment.
• Employment: The sector provides a substantial number of jobs across the continent, both directly in transport and logistics operations and indirectly through the facilitation of economic activities that depend on transport services.

Challenges:

• Real-time Tracking and Visibility: Developing solutions for real-time tracking of goods, vehicles, and assets to enhance visibility throughout the supply chain, improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Predictive Analytics for Maintenance: Utilizing machine learning and data analytics to predict maintenance needs of vehicles and infrastructure, thereby reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of assets.
• Automated Route Optimization: Creating algorithms that dynamically optimize routes for deliveries and transportation, considering factors like traffic, weather conditions, and delivery windows to improve fuel efficiency and reduce delivery times.
• Digital Platforms for Freight Matching: Developing digital marketplaces to efficiently match freight loads with carriers, reducing empty return trips and improving the utilization of transport assets.
• Enhanced Safety Systems: Implementing software solutions for monitoring driver behavior, vehicle conditions, and environmental factors to enhance safety on the roads.
• Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency: Utilizing blockchain technology to enhance transparency and security in supply chain operations, from origin to delivery, combating fraud and ensuring product integrity.
• Energy-efficient Transport Solutions: Designing and prototyping new vehicle technologies or components that reduce fuel consumption and emissions, such as electric drivetrains or aerodynamic modifications.
• Advanced Telematics Devices: Developing hardware for vehicles that can collect and transmit real-time data on vehicle performance, location, and usage patterns to support analytics and optimization.
• IoT Solutions for Asset Management: Creating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and devices for monitoring the condition and location of goods and infrastructure, enhancing the efficiency of warehouse operations and asset management.
• Automated and Connected Vehicle Technologies: Prototyping technologies for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles and systems that can communicate with each other and with infrastructure to improve traffic flow and safety.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers and Engineers

• Full-stack Developers: Capable of building end-to-end digital solutions, from databases and servers to client-side interfaces.
• Data Scientists and Analysts: Experts in analyzing large datasets to uncover insights, forecast trends, and develop predictive models.
• Blockchain Developers: Specialists in creating secure and transparent solutions for supply chain management and finance.
• Mobile App Developers: Skilled in developing applications for iOS and Android, facilitating on-the-go access to logistics and transport services.
• Hardware Engineers and Designers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers: Focused on developing new electronic devices, sensors, and IoT solutions for vehicles and logistics operations.
• Mechanical Engineers: Experts in designing and prototyping vehicle components, packaging solutions, and material handling equipment.
• Robotics Engineers: Skilled in creating autonomous machines and drones that can assist in warehousing, inventory management, and delivery tasks.
• Industry Experts and Professionals
• Logistics and Supply Chain Managers: Professionals with in-depth knowledge of current challenges, operational processes, and industry standards.
• Transportation Planners and Engineers: Experts in designing efficient transportation systems, infrastructure planning, and traffic management.

What should you expect as an Attendee:

• Access to Cutting-Edge Tools: Leverage Africa's Talking powerful APIs and SDKs, designed to make implementation seamless and hassle-free.
• Apprenticeship & Support: Work closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking who will guide and support you throughout the hackathon as we build with you.
• Networking Opportunities: Join as a member and connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals.
• Cash Prizes, Recognition and Qualify to Join our Marketplace Program: Stand a chance to win exciting prizes, gain recognition for your innovative solutions and
• Impact Africa: Contribute to the economic growth and development of Africa by providing solutions that simplify and enhance payment processes

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

1. Winner - $100 (Join Marketplace Program)
2. 1st Runners Up - $50
3. 2nd Runners Up - $25

Africa's Talking powers communications solutions across Africa with simplified access to telco infrastructure, developers use our powerful SMS, USSD, Voice, Chat, Airtime and Mobile Data, to bring their ideas to life, as they build and sustain scalable businesses.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

Note: Please bring your laptop

Opportunities:

• Network
• Innovate
• Access to our Talent bench (You can get a job or a gig on the spot)

Submit your Idea:

• Hackathon idea submission form

Gigs:

We would love to reach out to you so that you can build for our customers, please fill out this form with details to ensure we have your details:

GIG/HACK DEVELOPER PORTFOLIO FORM

Join community channels:

Slack:

• Join Africa's Talking slack community here

Please follow our Twitter handles to:

• @AfricasTalking

You can get our videos, recaps, and event interviews on our youtube channels, subscribe to get updates:

• Africa's Talking Youtube Channel

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs easily.

Transport:

• We will provide complimentary transport to and from Jeevanjee Garden.
• Note: Departure time is 7:30 AM (kindly be on time).

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Developer Experience Team.