#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

Join Africa’s Talking for a vibrant and stylish Women in Technology hackathon themed Fashion and Apparel! This is your runway to blend creativity with code—use Africa’s Talking APIs (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime and Data, Insights, Chat and more) to build innovative solutions that transform the fashion industry across Africa. From digital fashion marketplaces and virtual styling tools to supply chain tracking and fashion-focused fintech, this hackathon invites women technologists to reimagine how fashion meets tech. Collaborate, create, and walk away with practical skills, a stronger portfolio, and possibly the next big idea in fashion tech.

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.

• Drive Innovation in African Fashion: Contribute to building locally relevant solutions that modernize the industry while celebrating cultural identity and craftsmanship.

• Showcase Your Genius: Pitch your ideas to a panel of experts and space-tech professionals and gain recognition for your ingenuity and problem-solving skills.

Key Focus Areas:

• Fashion E-Commerce Platforms
  Build intuitive online marketplaces or mobile apps where designers and retailers can showcase, sell, and promote fashion collections with integrated payments and SMS order tracking.

• Virtual Styling and Personalization
  Create AI-driven tools or chat-based styling assistants that recommend outfits, sizes, or accessories based on user preferences, body types, or occasions.

• Sustainable Fashion and Circular Economy
  Develop platforms that encourage sustainable fashion practices—such as clothing swaps, resale, or upcycling—with community-driven features via SMS or USSD.

• Inventory and Supply Chain Management
  Use IoT and Africa’s Talking APIs to help local brands track production, monitor inventory levels, or coordinate with tailors, vendors, and delivery services in real time.

• Fashion Education and Community Building
  Design learning platforms or virtual communities where aspiring fashion designers and enthusiasts can learn, collaborate, and mentor each other using voice and messaging APIs.

• Fashion and Fintech
  Build tools that support digital payments, savings, or microloans for fashion entrepreneurs, empowering women in the fashion industry to scale their businesses.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers

• UI/UX and Product Designers

• Data Scientists and AI/ML Engineers

• Entrepreneurs in Fashion or Retail

• Tailors and Fashion Creators Exploring Tech

• Individuals Interested in Blending Culture, Fashion, and Innovation

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.

Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

THEME: Fashion and Apparel 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.

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• Those who register by Monday 23rd June 2025, will receive a transport code to redeem for transport to and from the hackathon venue.