The Engine: The Solutions Hackathon

The Concept

For years, African cybersecurity competitions have focused on Capture The Flag (CTF) simulations where teams break into systems to find hidden “flags.” While this builds offensive skills, it leaves the defensive gap wide open.

Africa CyberFest 2026 changes the game. We are retiring the standard CTF to launch the Solutions Hackathon.

This is a 48-hour engineering sprint where cross-functional teams (developers, security researchers, and designers) compete to build Open Source Security Tools that address specific African and global challenges.

The 2026 Challenge Tracks

Sponsors may choose to “Own” a track, defining specific problem statements and awarding the prize for that category.

How it Works

  1. The Sprint: Teams begin work virtually 2 weeks before the event, submitting code to a public GitHub repository.
  2. The Summit: The top 10 teams are flown to Lagos for the final 24-hour sprint during Africa CyberFest.
  3. The Demo: Teams present their working MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) to a panel of technical judges and investors on Day 2.
  4. The Legacy: All code remains Open Source, allowing the community to maintain and improve these tools long after the conference ends.

Strategic Value for Partners

Talent Scouting: Don’t just read a CV. Watch how candidates code, collaborate, and solve complex problems in real-time.

R&D Outsourcing: Present a specific security headache your organization faces, and have Africa’s best talent prototype a solution for you in 48 hours.

Brand Authority: Position your organization as a patron of African Innovation, not just a logo on a backdrop.