#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

Join Africa’s Talking for an inspiring Women in Technology hackathon focused on Community Development and Outreach Solutions! Utilize Africa’s Talking APIs (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime, Insights, and Chat) to create impactful digital tools aimed at strengthening local communities, improving access to essential services, and fostering social well-being. Whether you’re building an app for local resource sharing, a tool to organize community events, or a platform to promote social campaigns, this hackathon offers you the opportunity to collaborate with fellow innovators. Gain hands-on experience integrating Africa’s Talking APIs while developing solutions that empower communities and drive sustainable development.

Why Attend?

• Empower Women in Tech: Be part of an inclusive platform that supports women developers, data scientists, and innovators to showcase their skills and drive positive change.

• Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience using Africa’s Talking APIs to build real-world solutions and strengthen your portfolio with impactful projects.
• Networking and Collaboration: Connect with industry professionals, mentors, and fellow tech enthusiasts while forming valuable relationships for future collaborations.
• Make a Difference: Tackle pressing Community Development and Outreach challenges, improving the lives of individuals across diverse regions. 
• Recognition and Visibility: Present your innovations to fellow developers and potential investors, opening opportunities for mentorship, funding, and further growth.

Key Focus Areas:

• Local Resource Management: 

  Develop platforms to connect communities with resources, such as food banks, shelters, or educational materials, ensuring seamless coordination and equitable distribution.
• Social Campaigns and Fundraising: Create solutions that leverage SMS, USSD, or Payment APIs to raise funds, mobilize volunteers, or increase awareness for community projects and initiatives.
• Civic Engagement and Governance: Build apps that promote transparent governance, enabling citizens to report issues, participate in decision-making, and access important local information.
• Healthcare Outreach and Education: Design tools that provide remote healthcare support, appointment scheduling, telemedicine services, or awareness campaigns focused on preventive care.
• Disaster Preparedness and Response: Utilize communication APIs to create timely alerts, emergency coordination tools, and real-time response systems for areas prone to natural or man-made disasters.
• Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Develop platforms that offer vocational training, mentorship, and financial literacy resources, empowering individuals to start and grow local businesses.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers
• UI/UX and Product Designers
• Data Scientists and AI/ML Engineers

• Social Innovators and Community Leaders

• Entrepreneurs Focused on Social Impact

• Enthusiasts of AI/IoT for Civic Engagement

These diverse groups of attendees will bring a range of skills, perspectives, and ideas to the hackathon, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for innovation.

All developers, from all fields, are welcome for the hackathon.

What to Expect as an Attendee:

• Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies: Gain access to Africa's Talking APIs and SDKs, specifically designed to streamline implementation and ensure a seamless experience.
• Mentorship and Guidance: Collaborate closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking, who will serve as mentors throughout the hackathon. Benefit from their guidance, insights, and support as we build together.
• Expand Your Network: As a member of our community, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals. Build valuable relationships that can propel your career or projects to new heights.
• Exciting Rewards and Recognition: Get a chance to win cash prizes and earn recognition for your innovative solutions. Get to receive accolades for your contributions through our social media, potential collaborators and other platforms.
• Qualify for the Marketplace Program: By participating in the hackathon, you become eligible to join our exclusive Marketplace Program. Unlock opportunities to further develop and monetize your solutions, making a lasting impact on Africa's economic growth and development.
• Exposure to other women in tech opportunities.

Solution Criteria:

• Use of Africa's Talking APIs: How effectively the project utilizes one or more of the Africa's Talking APIs i.e. SMS, USSD, Airtime, Voice, Insights, Chat.
• Innovation: The originality and creativity of the project idea and implementation.
• User Experience: How well the project meets user needs and provides an intuitive and seamless experience.
• Functionality: How well the project performs the intended functionality and handles errors and edge cases.
• Presentation: The clarity and effectiveness of the project demonstration and pitch.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

THEME: Community Development and Outreach Solutionss

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner - $100
• 1st Runners Up - $50
• 2nd Runners Up - $25

Social Media give-aways too!

More exclusive prizes and giveaways to attendees.

Contribute to open-source.

Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. Overview

• Technical hands-on session

3. Ideation

• Form teams where need be.
• Feedback

4. Building/hacking: Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

5. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demonstrate 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)

Submit your Idea:

• Hackathon idea submission form

Join our community channels:

• Community Page:
• Join Africa's Talking Women In Tech Community here

• Twitter (X):
• Follow Our Page on X here

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

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 quickly.

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• Once you register, you will receive a transport code to redeem for your transport to and from the hackathon venue.