#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

Join Africa’s Talking for a high-impact Women in Technology Hackathon themed Cybersecurity Solutions! In today’s digital world, security is no longer optional, it’s essential. This hackathon challenges you to design and build innovative solutions that protect users, systems, and data across digital platforms. Using Africa’s Talking APIs (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime and Data, Insights, Chat and more), participants will create tools that enhance authentication, detect threats, secure transactions, and promote safe digital practices.

From building secure login systems and fraud detection tools to designing user awareness platforms and real-time alert systems, this hackathon is your opportunity to step into the world of cybersecurity and make a real impact. If you’re passionate about protecting digital ecosystems and empowering users with safer technologies, come collaborate and build solutions that strengthen trust in Africa’s digital future.

Why Attend?

• Protect the Digital World: Use your skills to build solutions that safeguard users, businesses, and digital platforms.

• Hands-On Security Experience: Learn how to integrate Africa’s Talking APIs into secure systems and real-world cybersecurity use cases.

• Collaborate & Learn: Work with other women in tech passionate about security, privacy, and resilience.

• Build Real-World Solutions: Create practical tools that address pressing cybersecurity challenges across industries.

• Showcase Your Innovation: Present your solution to experts and stakeholders who can help scale your idea.

Key Focus Areas:

• Secure Authentication & Identity Management

  Develop systems that enable secure user authentication, including multi-factor authentication using SMS, OTPs, or voice verification.

• Fraud Detection & Prevention

  Build tools that detect suspicious activities, flag anomalies, and prevent fraud in digital platforms such as fintech, e-commerce, and mobile services.

• Data Privacy & Encryption Solutions

  Design applications that protect sensitive data through encryption, secure storage, and privacy-first architectures.

• Cybersecurity Awareness & Education

  Create platforms that educate users on safe online practices, phishing awareness, and digital hygiene using accessible channels like SMS and USSD.

• Real-Time Alerts & Incident Response

  Develop systems that send real-time security alerts and enable quick responses to breaches or suspicious activity.

• Secure APIs & Systems Monitoring

  Build tools that monitor API usage, detect vulnerabilities, and ensure systems remain secure and compliant.

Target Attendees:

The hackathon is open to anyone passionate about hardware, software, IoT, and API integration. This is for:

• Software Developers and Engineers

• Data Scientists and IoT Enthusiasts

• People in Fintech and Digital Platforms

• DevOps and Cloud Engineers

• Anyone passionate about privacy, trust, and digital safety

Then this hackathon is for you!

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.

• 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.

Publish on Africa's Talking Marketplace

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

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

THEME: Cybersecurity Solutions

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.

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Women in Technology Team. 

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• Those who register by Monday 27th April 2026, will receive a transport code to redeem for transport to and from the hackathon venue.