Telecommunications is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades and the networks that win tomorrow are the ones building intelligence into their infrastructure today.

This hackathon invites network engineers, telecom operators, technologists, and innovators to rethink the future of connectivity. Participants will collaborate to build digital solutions that bring intelligence to network infrastructure addressing challenges such as downtime, service reliability, outage prediction, and operational visibility.

Whether it's creating predictive network monitoring systems, AI-powered fault detection, real-time network dashboards, smart customer engagement tools, or new ways to extend and manage connectivity using SMS, Voice, USSD, or mobile apps, this is your opportunity to design solutions that make African telecommunications stronger.

The Challenge

How do you modernize legacy networks without disrupting service?
How do you design systems that predict outages before they happen?
How do you turn raw network data into real operational decisions?
How can we design solutions that work for operators running legacy infrastructure and limited connectivity?

Throughout the day, teams will prototype and build innovative solutions that redefine what smart, modern telecommunications infrastructure looks like for the African context.

Possible Challenge Areas

• Predictive network monitoring and outage detection

• AI-powered fault and fraud detection

• Real-time network performance dashboards

• Smart customer engagement and support tools

• Local-language interfaces for network services

• SMS, Voice, and USSD-powered connectivity tools

• Network automation and self-healing systems

Who Should Attend?

This event is open to network engineers, software developers, telecom operators, product managers, startup founders, students, and anyone passionate about building technologies that strengthen connectivity.

Whether you're an experienced developer or just beginning your journey, you'll have the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and build alongside a vibrant community of innovators.

Come connect with other builders, form a team, and help shape the future of telecommunications through technology.

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner – $100

• 1st Runners Up – $50

• 2nd Runners Up – $25

Social media giveaways too!
More exclusive prizes and giveaways to attendees.

Date:19th September 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Uganda Christian University

Agenda:

• 9:00 AM – Arrival, Registration & Team Formation

• 10:00 AM – Opening Remarks + Hackathon Brief

• 10:30 AM – Session: "Best Practices for Smart, Modern Telecommunications"

• 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Hacking Session

• 4:00 PM – Project Demos & Presentations

• 5:30 PM – Judging & Awards

• 6:00 PM – Networking, Snacks, and Drinks

Join Our Community Channels:
Twitter: @AfricasTalking | @ATCommunityKla
YouTube: Watch event recaps, demos, and developer conversations on the Africa's Talking YouTube Channel

Africa's Talking Community hackathons are where developers come to experiment, collaborate, and build the future.