The Transportation & Logistics Hackathon is a groundbreaking event focused on transforming how people and goods move across Africa through technology. In a continent where transport systems face unique challenges — from unreliable last-mile delivery to fragmented freight networks, poor road safety, and limited real-time visibility — this hackathon invites developers, designers, data scientists, and entrepreneurs to create practical, scalable solutions built for the African transport landscape.

With access to Africa's Talking APIs, mentorship, and a community of innovators, participants will build across key areas of mobility and supply chain technology — delivering solutions that are impactful, inclusive, and market-ready.

Addressable Problems in Transportation & Logistics Solutions

• Last-Mile Delivery & Courier Management - Build platforms for real-time delivery tracking, courier dispatch, proof-of-delivery, and customer notifications for e-commerce and SME logistics.

• Public Transport & Matatu Management - Develop tools for matatu route optimization, fleet tracking, digital ticketing, SACCO management, and commuter information systems.

• Freight & Cargo Logistics - Create digital freight marketplaces, cargo tracking platforms, truck load matching systems, and cross-border customs documentation tools.

• Ride-Hailing & Mobility-as-a-Service - Design ride-sharing platforms, boda boda dispatch systems, multi-modal trip planners, and mobility subscription services for urban commuters.

• Supply Chain Visibility & Inventory Management - Build end-to-end supply chain tracking, warehouse management systems, stock replenishment automation, and cold chain monitoring for perishable goods.

• Road Safety & Driver Behaviour Analytics - Develop telematics solutions, driver scoring tools, accident reporting platforms, and road hazard mapping systems to improve safety across African roads.

• Electric Vehicles & Green Mobility - Create EV fleet management platforms, charging station locators, battery swap network tools, and carbon footprint calculators for transport operators.

• Agri-Logistics & Rural Connectivity - Build tools that connect farmers to markets, optimize produce transport, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve rural last-mile delivery for agricultural inputs and outputs.

• Port, Airport & Customs Clearance Tech - Develop digital customs declaration systems, port logistics coordination tools, cargo status notifications, and trade facilitation platforms for importers and exporters.

• Fleet Management & Vehicle Maintenance - Create GPS fleet tracking dashboards, predictive vehicle maintenance alerts, fuel monitoring tools, and driver scheduling systems for transport businesses.

• Payments & Fintech for Transport - Build M-Pesa-integrated fare collection, freight invoice financing, driver wallet platforms, and pay-as-you-go vehicle financing solutions tailored for transport operators.

• Drone & Emerging Mobility Solutions - Design drone delivery coordination platforms, autonomous vehicle readiness tools, and airspace management systems for next-generation African logistics.

Objectives

• Bridge the Transport Tech Gap: Create solutions that improve connectivity, efficiency, and safety in African mobility and logistics.

• Foster Local Innovation: Empower African builders to solve Africa's unique transportation and supply chain challenges.

• Promote Inclusive Mobility: Build tools that enable access to affordable, reliable transport for all citizens and communities.

• Encourage Responsible Development: Prioritize data privacy, road safety, and ethical technology practices.

• Enable Impact at Scale: Ensure solutions can grow to serve thousands of commuters, drivers, fleet operators, and freight businesses across Africa.

Target Attendees

• Developers & Engineers: With experience in mobile/web development, APIs, IoT, or scalable logistics platforms.

• Transport & Logistics Professionals: Fleet managers, freight operators, and supply chain practitioners with domain expertise.

• AI/ML & Data Scientists: Experts building route optimization models, demand forecasting, and predictive analytics.

• Students & Learners: With a passion for technology, mobility, and solving urban and rural transport challenges.

• Social Entrepreneurs & NGOs: Focused on rural connectivity, road safety, and inclusive transport access.

• UX/UI Designers: To reimagine the commuter, driver, and logistics operator experience.

• Finance & Policy Experts: Bringing fintech, insurance, and transport regulation domain knowledge.

Why Participate?

• Access to Tools & APIs: Leverage Africa's Talking SMS, USSD, Voice, and Airtime APIs to build scalable transport and logistics solutions.

• Mentorship & Workshops: Learn from seasoned professionals in mobility, supply chain, and civic technology.

• Collaborative Innovation: Team up across disciplines — tech, design, domain expertise — to bring ideas to life.

• Cash Prizes & Recognition: Win exciting rewards and showcase your solution to the wider Africa's Talking ecosystem.

• Real-World Impact: Build solutions that transform how people and goods move across Africa.

• Talent & Gig Opportunities: Get discovered — connect with customers and partners looking to hire or commission builders.

Prizes

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner - $100 (Join Marketplace Program)

• 1st Runners Up - $50

• 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.

Agenda

1. Warm-Up

• Introductions

• Form teams where need be

• Feedback

• Feature requests

2. Building/hacking

Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

Note: This section needs additional setup.

Upon commit, the repository is built and deployed to an accessible web server or an S3 bucket.

3. Demonstration and Wrap-up

Teams or individuals will demo what they have hacked for feedback or adoption.

Note: Carry a laptop

Opportunities

• Network

• Innovate

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

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Publish on Africa's Talking Marketplace

Marketplace: Get Call Back as a Service and Publish your plugin/app for our customer.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

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

• @ElarianHQ

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.

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