The first edition of the hackathon was held in September last year, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Rwanda's tech landscape, led by Iremboâ€"a company renowned for digitizing and streamlining government services through innovative digital platforms.
The 2025 team comprises 63 young and ambitious software engineers from diverse backgrounds, working in groups of two to four, eager to leave their mark in the annals of technology.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the hackathon at the Irembo Campus in Nyarutarama, Peter Charles Djomga, Director of Software Engineering at Irembo, rallied the participants to seize the moment and push boundaries to create solutions that address real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact in society.
'This is your chance to show the world what you're capable of,' Djomga declared. 'Take these 48 hours, use the latest AI tools, and build solutions that don't just win prizes but change livesâ€"because that's where the true value lies.'
He noted that the participating teams were selected from more than 80 submissions, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for AI innovation in Rwanda. This rigorous preselection process narrowed the pool down to 20 standout teams with a total of 63 participants.
The hackathon's timing is strategic, aligning with Rwanda's upcoming inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa, scheduled for April 3-4, 2025.
Djomga explained that hosting the event now positions Irembo as a key player in the nation's artificial intelligence landscape, amplifying the country's push to become a regional tech hub.
'We're setting the stage for the Summit,' he remarked, 'showing that Rwanda isn't just following global trendsâ€"we're shaping them, starting with these innovators right here.'
In developing practical AI solutions, the participants will leverage large language models (LLMs) and locally built technologies. Teams will also have the opportunity to access IremboPay APIs to integrate cutting-edge digital payment solutions into their projects. Pindo, a partner of the event, will provide access to its latest speech-to-text and text-to-speech AI models for voice-enabled applications.
Other sponsors of the event include the World Economic Forum (WEF), RSSB, and Digital Umuganda, among others.
Coding for the projects is expected to close at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, when the participants will submit their projects. Presentations of the solutions to a panel of distinguished judges will then commence and conclude by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
After the projects are evaluated, the winners will be announced at the Global AI Summit.
The stakes are higher this year, with the top prize remaining at 5 million Rwandan francs, while second place has increased to 3 million, up from 2 million in the first edition, and third place now stands at 2 million, up from 1 million.
Beyond the cash rewards, all participants gain invaluable exposure, networking opportunities, and the chance for career boosts. Djomga noted that last year's winner, Cedric Izabayo, joined Iremboâ€"a hint at potential paths for this year's standoutsâ€"while emphasizing that the true goal is crafting solutions to streamline digital services.
As Rwanda races toward its National Strategy for Transformation goal of a million developers by 2030, this 48-hour hackathon is a microcosm of that ambition. Djomga framed it as a quality-driven effort: 'It's not about the numberâ€"it's about pushing the boundaries of what's possible.'
Participants like Hirwa Venuste, a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with over a decade of tech experience, see it as a chance to make a mark.
'I'm excited to create something the community can benefit fromâ€"AI can solve so many problems today," he told IGIHE.
Likewise, Kerianne Nabampema, a graduating Carnegie Mellon University student, aims to inspire: 'I'm a go-getterâ€"I had this crazy idea, and I want to show what's possible, especially for women in tech.'
By Sunday evening, the efforts of these ambitious tech enthusiasts will not only crown new winners but also shine a spotlight on Rwanda's rising tech stars in the fast-paced tech industry.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
