#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #WomenInTech

Overview:

Join Africa’s Talking for a dynamic and electrifying Women in Technology hackathon themed Gaming and Betting! This is your opportunity to build immersive digital experiences, competitive platforms, and innovative tools that blend entertainment, strategy, and technology. Using Africa’s Talking APIs (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime and Data, Insights, Chat and more), participants will prototype solutions ranging from casual mobile games and fantasy leagues to responsible betting platforms and community-based competitions. Whether you're a developer, designer, or data enthusiast, this hackathon is your playground to reimagine the future of gaming and betting—by women, for everyone.

Why Attend?

• Break Barriers in Gaming and Betting: Enter a traditionally male-dominated space with your creativity, technical skill, and fresh perspective—while uplifting other women in tech.

• Hands-On Integration: Build real-world applications using Africa’s Talking APIs that can be deployed, tested, and monetized.
• Meet Your Tribe: Connect with fellow gamers, developers, artists, designers, and mentors who are building the future of entertainment tech.
• Drive Responsible Innovation: Shape the conversation around ethical betting and inclusive game design that is safe, accessible, and socially conscious.
• Launch Your Next Big Idea: Gain exposure, feedback, and potential investor interest by pitching your project to a panel of experts in gaming, fintech, and media.

Key Focus Areas:

• User Registration and Authentication
• SMS API: Send OTPs (One-Time Passwords) for user verification.
• USSD API: Allow users to register and authenticate via USSD menus.
• Real-Time Game Updates and Notifications
• SMS API: Send game updates, scores, and betting outcomes to users.
• Voice API: Provide voice call updates for visually impaired users or those who prefer voice notifications.
• Bet Placement and Management
• USSD API: Enable users to place bets and check bet status without internet.
• Chat API: Allow users to place bets and manage their accounts through messaging platforms.
• Promotions and Marketing Campaigns
• SMS API: Send promotional messages and special offers to users.
• Airtime API: Reward users with airtime bonuses for participation in promotions.
• Customer Support and Feedback
• Voice API: Set up a call center for user inquiries and support.
• Chat API: Provide instant support via chatbots or live agents on popular messaging platforms.
• User Engagement and Retention
• SMS API: Send daily tips, reminders, and motivational messages.
• USSD API: Create loyalty programs and allow users to check their loyalty points via USSD.
• Transaction and Payment Processing
• Airtime API: Enable users to top up their accounts using airtime.
• Mobile Data API: Monitor and manage transaction data for fraud prevention and analysis.

Target Attendees:

• Software Developers

• UI/UX and Product Designers

• Data Scientists and AI/ML Engineers

• Entrepreneurs in Gaming and Entertainment

• Companies in Fintech and Digital Payments

• Companies in Ethical Betting and Inclusive Gaming

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: Gaming and Betting 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 28th July 2025, will receive a transport code to redeem for transport to and from the hackathon venue.