Africa’s digital transformation gained fresh momentum this week as Qhala, Huawei, and Konza Technopolis hosted a high-impact, 24-hour AI hackathon during the Africa AI Literacy Week.
The event placed agriculture at the center of innovation, bringing together 50 university students from across the continent to craft artificial intelligence solutions for real-world challenges.
Held both in-person and virtually including remote participation by students from Moi University the hackathon focused on five key sectors: Agriculture, Fintech, Healthcare, Education, and Governance. Yet, agriculture took the spotlight, reflecting its critical role in Africa’s food systems and economic development.
The winning team wowed judges with an AI-powered platform that predicts market prices for agricultural products. By analyzing historical data, real-time trends, and weather forecasts, the tool helps farmers, traders, and financial institutions make smarter, data-driven decisions reducing market uncertainties and protecting smallholder farmers from exploitation.
Two teams shared second place honors. One developed a farm data analytics tool powered by an AI chatbot. The chatbot, available in local languages and accessible offline, provides farmers with guidance on pest control, yield forecasting, and best farming practices bridging the knowledge gap in rural areas.
The other team created a mobile application that uses Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality to offer real-time insights into infrastructure. Initially designed for urban use, the app was adapted to agricultural settings, helping farmers optimize storage, irrigation systems, and farm layouts through a smartphone camera.
Winners were awarded Huawei MatePad tablets, while the runners-up received Huawei Band 10 smartwatches to support their continued innovation journeys.But the hackathon wasn’t just about prizes it was a launchpad for learning, mentorship, and collaboration.
Participants received expert guidance from professionals in academia, industry, and tech, including Huawei engineers and Konza Technopolis mentors, helping them move from ideation to prototype in just 24 hours.
“Artificial Intelligence is a key driver of the next frontier of development, and Konza is determined to be at the center of its growth and application across the continent,” said Josephine Ndambuki, Chief Manager for Business Development and Innovation at Konza Technopolis.
“We’re proud to support this initiative, which ensures that as we build the Silicon Savannah, young people are equipped to lead it.”Qhala CEO Dr. Shikoh Gitau emphasized the urgency of building African-led AI solutions.
“Africa cannot afford to be left behind as AI transforms industries and societies,” she said. “We must create awareness and provide platforms that allow our youth to innovate because they understand our challenges best.”Adam Lane, Director of Policy and Partnerships at Huawei Kenya, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to local talent.
“Huawei is committed to empowering African developers with cutting-edge skills, platforms, and tools. Building strong partnerships with government, academia, and startups is key to making tech accessible and impactful,” he said.
Throughout the hackathon, students tackled issues from digitizing farm input distribution to AI tools for learning and fintech solutions for unbanked communities. Their innovative, diverse ideas showcased the growing potential of Africa’s tech-savvy youth.
Organizers hailed the hackathon as a success and expressed plans to expand future editions to include more institutions and broader themes.As Africa positions itself in the global AI landscape, initiatives like this are proving vital. They not only build technical skills but also unlock the creativity and leadership of young minds laying the groundwork for an inclusive, locally driven digital future.
