The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss non-profit committed to accelerating adoption of the Hedera network, has announced the launch of the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 , a bold initiative aimed at empowering over 10,000 African Web3 developers and catalyzing the next wave of decentralized innovation across the continent.
In partnership with the Exponential Science Foundation, the program will offer a blend of online participation and in-person engagements across more than 20 African cities, reaching developers, students, and entrepreneurs in 15+ countries. The hackathon invites participants to build decentralized applications (dApps) on the Hedera network, addressing key challenges in industries like finance, telecommunications, identity, and manufacturing.
$1 Million Grand Prize to Fuel Real-World Blockchain Impact
The winning team will be awarded a $1 million prize, underlining the initiative’s high stakes and strong commitment to rewarding real-world blockchain innovation. Beyond financial incentives, participants will gain access to:
- Training resources via the Hedera Academy
- Mentorship from Web3 experts
- A thriving community of developers and partners
- Educational and awareness sessions pre-hackathon
The program is expected to ignite a new era of Web3 entrepreneurship and skill-building across Africa, as blockchain continues to evolve from buzzword to backbone for economic transformation.
A Strategic Focus on Africa’s Digital Potential
Explaining the motivation behind this Africa-focused initiative, Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, said:
“Africa is home to one of the youngest, most enthusiastic, and dynamic tech communities in the world. By equipping developers and entrepreneurs with Web3 skills and next-generation toolkits, we’re not just solving today’s problems—we’re shaping the future of decentralized innovation in one of the world’s most significant growth markets.”
The program also seeks to address key challenges around financial inclusion, digital identity, and access to communication — common pain points that blockchain can help alleviate through trustless, distributed applications.
Exponential Science Foundation Champions Inclusive Innovation
Paolo Tasca, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Exponential Science Foundation, echoed the sentiment and stressed the hackathon’s long-term impact:
“Programs like the Hedera Africa Hackathon encourage the next generation of tech builders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. They also drive blockchain education and innovation within a continent showing incredible growth potential.”
Tasca encouraged those passionate about building decentralized solutions to seize this opportunity and lay the foundation for future ventures.
DAR Blockchain to Amplify Reach Across the Continent
Operational support for the hackathon will be led by DAR Blockchain, a Tunisia-based Web3 hub with an established track record of developer engagement in Africa. The organization will coordinate outreach, training, and activation efforts across key regions to ensure inclusive participation and maximum regional impact.
This initiative builds on The Hashgraph Association’s growing momentum in Africa, having supported various blockchain training programs and ecosystem-building efforts in recent years.
Conclusion
The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 represents a major step toward bridging Africa’s booming tech talent with global blockchain innovation. By empowering thousands of developers to build decentralized solutions tailored to local needs, the initiative aims to foster long-term entrepreneurship, digital empowerment, and inclusive economic development across the continent.
