The recent conclusion of the 2025 Hedera Africa Hackathon, held on April 29, has set a new benchmark in the Web3 space, attracting over 13,000 developers and generating more than 1,300 project submissions. The event, which marked the largest Web3 hackathon ever, successfully enrolled over 45,000 participants in educational and developer certification modules. Spanning more than 20 African cities along with a global online component, the competition highlighted the region’s burgeoning technological ecosystem.
The Hashgraph Association (THA), a Swiss nonprofit dedicated to promoting the Hedera ecosystem, co-hosted the hackathon with Exponential Science, a nonprofit focused on fostering the adoption of emerging technologies. The logistical arrangements for the event were managed by Dar Blockchain, supported by partners including Sygnum Bank, Orange Digital Centers, and the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Participants were divided into four primary tracks: On-Chain Finance and Real-World Assets, DLT for Operations, Immersive Experiences, and AI and DePIN. The strongest overall projects were recognized in a cross-track championship format.
The top five teams emerged as pioneers in addressing practical issues rather than speculative projects. First-place winner GreenAfrica from Nigeria developed an environmental verification platform aimed at tracking sustainability efforts. Egypt’s Carboni created a platform for issuing and trading verified renewable energy certificates. Effisend X Africa from Mexico designed an AI-powered payment routing layer to link incompatible payment systems across Africa. Silsilat Finance from Malaysia worked on cross-border settlements for emerging markets, while Nigeria’s Beyond Service produced a mobile game that integrates persistent digital identity and on-chain asset ownership.
These initiatives address specific challenges faced in African markets, such as perplexing payment networks, a shortage of energy verification systems, and inconsistent medical record management.
With a prize pool of $1 million distributed among the participating teams, significant funds were allocated to foster innovation. The top prize of $100,000 was awarded to GreenAfrica, with other cash awards distributed based on the participants’ standings across the four tracks. Additionally, THA announced the establishment of a new Investment Committee, which will channel multi-million-dollar investments into promising projects and builders emerging from the hackathon, thereby providing vital support beyond the competition phase.
This move places Hedera among a select group of Layer-1 ecosystems that offer developers not just capital and mentorship, but also pathways to enterprise opportunities. Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, emphasized their commitment to nurturing these developers over the long term.
The significance of this hackathon underlines a growing trend across Africa, where Nigeria saw over 16,000 new Web3 developers in 2025, marking it as a global leader in new developer growth. The surge in funding for Nigerian Web3 startups, from $20 million in 2024 to $43 million last year, further showcases the continent’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
Africa’s increasing appeal for Web3 initiatives stems from genuine market demand and real-world application of blockchain technologies, addressing fragmented payment systems, identity interoperability, and the need for transparent energy markets. Yet, challenges still exist, notably a lack of experience among developers in working with global teams, indicating a need for continued growth and skills development.
Looking ahead, THA has confirmed a return of the Hedera Africa Hackathon for 2026, with details on the next iteration anticipated soon. Dr. Paolo Tasca, Executive Chairman of Exponential Science, noted the event’s success in transitioning participants from learning phases to developing impactful infrastructure.
The combination of ongoing engagement through hackathons, strategic investment efforts, and an expanding base of African developers points to Hedera’s long-term commitment to emerging markets. This focus on practical utility and direct support may position it favorably against established competitors like Ethereum and Solana in attracting developer talent.
