Building Africa’s Web3 Future: Announcing a Pan-African Hackathon With $1 Million Prize Pool

A landmark hackathon focused on decentralised innovation is set to begin this August, as Exponential Science and The Hashgraph Association announce the launch of the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025. Taking place from 1st August to 30th September, the initiative will combine online collaboration with physical events in over 20 African cities, with a goal of attracting 10,000+ participants across 13+ countries.

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With a $1 million prize pool, funded by Exponential Science and The Hashgraph Association. The hackathon targets over 1,000 project submissions from developers, students, and entrepreneurs working across four innovation tracks. All solutions will be built on the Hedera network, chosen for its energy-efficiency, cost-predictability, and ability to support reliable, scalable, real-world developments.

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A Movement for Web3 Innovation and Global Collaboration

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The hackathon anchors a nine-month programme spanning March to November 2025, already backed by 50+ partners, including 100+ universities and tech hubs. More than 12,600 hours of education have already been delivered through the Africa Academy, preparing participants for the months ahead.

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20 physical hacking stations will operate in key cities, enabling in-person collaboration and mentorship while connecting to the broader online ecosystem. The hackathon will also be open to participants worldwide, fostering global inclusivity and collaboration. 

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The continent-wide initiative spans nine months, starting in June 2025, hacking begins on August 1st, project submissions are due by September 30th, and winners will be announced on November 3rd, 2025. For a detailed schedule of events, workshops, and activities, refer to the official schedule.

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Participants will build solutions on the Hedera network across four focus areas:

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• On-Chain Finance & RWA:
  
  
• Sustainability & Green Finance
  
  
• DLT for Operations
  
  
• AI, Gaming & NFTs
  
  

Seeking the Builders of Tomorrow

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The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 positions Africa’s emerging tech communities at the forefront of decentralised development. With extensive support, targeted learning pathways, and a significant prize pool, the initiative is set to become the continent’s largest coordinated Web3 innovation programme. 

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Exponential Science is a not-for-profit research foundation accelerating the responsible development and adoption of emerging technologies. With a mission to turn breakthrough discoveries into real-world ventures, Exponential Science is pleased to be involved in the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 to champion initiatives that drive meaningful impact.

Partnering with The Hashgraph Association on this landmark hackathon is a powerful expression of that mission—empowering a new generation of builders, researchers, and entrepreneurs across Africa to shape the future through innovation and collaboration.

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Know someone passionate about building on the blockchain, or want to try yourself? Share this article with them and help spread the word across Africa. Register now and join the journey to shape the continent’s decentralised future.

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Follow @The_Hashgraph on X and The Hashgraph Association on LinkedIn for the latest updates on the hackathon, and stay in the loop with Exponential Science by following us on X and LinkedIn.

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