Africa-Wide Hackathon to Embed Local Contexts into AI Systems

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-15 14:20 EAT. Technology incubator The Cortex Hub has launched MCP Hackathon Africa 2025, a continent-wide initiative to integrate African languages, cultures and development priorities into artificial intelligence systems

The Latest

• Event timeline: Runs from September–November 2025 across 40+ African cities.

• Goal: Build Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that feed localized information to large language models.

• Support: Backed by TESPOK, Seacom, and Mauritius Telecom with mentorship, bootcamps, and technical resources〔Showcase and Prizes

• Finale: November 11–12, 2025 in Cape Town; finalists present solutions to investors and technology leaders

• Prize pool:

  • US$5,000 — Best overall solution

  • US$3,500 — Outstanding innovation

  • US$1,000 — Excellence in execution

Sectors and Applications

Participants will design MCP servers for use in:

• Telecommunications

• Fintech

• Agriculture

• Logistics

• Public services

Voices and Stakeholders

• Andile Ngcaba, Patron: Said Africa must “move from consumer to creator” of AI standards by coding MCP servers for local towns and cities

• Organisers: Aim to boost digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on closed-source technologies.

Implications

• AI localisation: Ensures African languages and cultures shape future AI systems.

• Tech innovation: Offers startups and students a platform to develop homegrown AI solutions.

• Economic potential: Could spur AI-driven entrepreneurship in high-growth sectors.

What to Watch

• Number of African cities joining the programme.

• Prototype demos at the Cape Town showcase.

• Adoption of MCP standards by governments and enterprises post-hackathon.