HackathonAfrica 2.0 Kicks off, Spotlighting AI and Large Language Models for its Second Edition

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

A total of 20 graduates from the Southeast region have been selected to participate in the second edition of Hackathon Africa funded by the AfricaPlan Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation.

The fully-funded residential programme, which will last for three months, had over 1000 applications from across the country and, out of which 20 graduates were shortlisted to join this year’s cohort.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the programme with the theme: Generative AI: The Future of Tech, founder of the AfricaPlan Foundation, Mr Oni Chukwu, said that the programme provides an opportunity for the young people to invest in a future in technology and also give back the society.

He said that the foundation was partnering with Hordanso, a technology company specializing in software development for mobile & web platforms for this year’s programme to give the participants hands-on training in Generative AI and how it can be used to solve problems.

“I urge you to ensure that you stay with the program and do everything you ought to do to make the foundation and yourselves proud, “he said. “Always remember that you have opportunities to become relevant to the world around you with what skills you are able to acquire,”.

Earlier, Member of the Board of Trustees, Africaplan Foundation, Priscilla Iroaganachi noted that the participants will be coding, growing a community and collaborating for the next three months after which they will be matched with companies for internships.

“The internship lasts for three months and within that period, we expect that they are able to apply what they have learned in the bootcamp and also improve on what they know already,”she said. “We also encourage tech entrepreneurship during the program. We want them to develop innovative solutions to problems that exist in their communities such that we are providing home grown solutions to global problems.

On his part, Managing Director of Hordanso, Mog Obahor, said that the partnership provides an opportunity for the organization to harness the power of generative AI which is the new oil in tech.

“We want to see how we can harness the power of AI and make it applicable to different industries and also drive the vision of transforming young people in the tech space,”he said.