Overview
The Africa Digital ID Hackathon returns in 2026! We are back after our successful first edition, which was concluded at the ID4Africa annual general meeting in Addis Ababa in May 2025. This second chapter of Africa Digital ID Hackathon is the result of a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University Africa's Upanzi DPI Network and MSC (MicroSave Consulting).
The pan-African Digital ID hackathon 2026 has a dual focus. It will build local capacity as well as identify and develop locally contextualized digital ID use cases across sectors, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and public service delivery. The Africa Digital ID Hackathon 2026 follows a comprehensive, four-phase approach designed to maximize learning, innovation, and real-world impact.
Who Can Participate
University students studying in Africa
Team size: 2–5 members
Academic level: Undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students
Gender inclusion requirement: At least one female participant per team
Refugee inclusion: Open to refugees and asylum-seekers enrolled at any accredited university in Africa
Partners and supporters
MSC (MicroSave Consulting) and CMU Africa's Upanzi DPI Network, are organizing the 2nd Africa Digital ID Hackathon
Stages of the Africa Digital ID Hackathon
Phase 1: Upskilling and ideation
December 2025–February 2026
- Bi-weekly expert webinars that span technology, policy, and use-case design (in English/French)
- Rolling idea submissions through the Devpost platform
- Virtual office hours on Discord for guided support and mentorship
- Country outreach held both virtually and on-site
Phase 2: Prototyping and development
February 2026 – March 2026
- 24 shortlisted teams will receive dedicated use-case mentors (non-technical) and technical mentors (from MOSIP and technology partners).
- Weekly mentor-led prototyping sessions with regular check-ins (access to the MOSIP Innovation Sandbox will be provided).
- Mid-cycle presentations and pre-judging reviews will ensure teams are on track and their ideas are technically feasible.
- Regional semi-finals will be hosted at partner institutions across Africa.
- Community support will be available through Discord and WhatsApp platforms.
Phase 3: Regional semi-finals
April 2026
- The semi-finals will be conducted at four different locations. Details of this will be announced soon.
- The semi-finals will include live demonstrations of prototypes and presentations.
- The top two teams per region will advance to the continental finals at ID4Africa 2026.
Phase 4: Continental finals at ID4Africa 2026 Annual General Meeting at Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
12th–15th May 2026
- Day 1: Panel discussions and short presentations by finalist students
- Day 2: Finals competition and judging
- Day 3: Open house and networking—meet the innovators
Discover the benefits of this Hackathon
Contribution to Africa's digital transformation will help you gain
Valuable Experience
Develop skills in digital ID technology and application development
Expert Mentorship
Receive guidance from use-case mentors (non-technical) and technical mentors (from MOSIP and technology partners)
Networking
Connect with Africa's digital ecosystem and potential future employers or partners
Recognition
Certificate of achievement, Internship opportunities with Upanzi Network
Skills Development
Technical training in digital identity systems and public service innovation
Get involved
We welcome partnerships with government agencies, technology companies, universities and research institutions, and innovators and accelerators
Provide mentorship and technical expertise
Deliver expert sessions to the participants
Sponsor a thematic track aligned to your organizational priorities
Sponsor prizes (cloud credits, equipment, funding)
Host regional semi-finals at your institution
The details
Application Closes
February 22, 2026, 11:59 PM (UTC+1)
Application is now closed
Prototype Submission
To be announced soon
Webinars: December 2025–February 2026
Please follow us on social media and join us on Discord to get timely updates on webinar schedules.
Results
Semi-Finals
Six teams from each of the four regions — Northern and Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa — were shortlisted for the prototyping phase. Based on innovation, novelty, and potential impact, two teams from each region were selected for the finals.
Finals
Eight semi-final winners will present their final ideas to an esteemed panel at ID4Africa AGM in Cote D'Ivoire.
Questions?
Contact our support team
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