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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have inked a partnership. The new deal will equip West African youth with essential cybersecurity skills through a regional hackathon in Abuja, Nigeria. This event aimed to nurture the region’s future cybersecurity experts. It will also bolster defenses against the growing threat of cybercrime.
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Young participants from across 12 West African countries showcased their talents in the competition. They highlighted the region’s potential to combat digital threats. The hackathon marked the third installment in the series. It offers cash prizes, laptops, and training programs sponsored by partners to enhance participants’ skills.
Harnessing energy and creativity of young peopleÂ
NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, stressed the importance of harnessing the energy and creativity of young people to tackle cybersecurity challenges. “The vibrant competition within the technology sector is encouraging,” Olawumi said. “By harnessing the energy of our youth, we can fight cybercrime and offer them pathways to recognition, employment, and growth in this field.”
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the urgency of safeguarding the region’s cyberspace. He cited the event as a vital step toward empowering youth to tackle emerging threats. Touray commended the collaboration between ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, private sector stakeholders, and academia in making the hackathon a success.
The ECOWAS Champs
After 30 hours of intense competition, the top three teams emerged:
- First Place: Shell X Roots from Côte d’Ivoire won $10,000 and laptops for each team member.
- Second Place: M3V7R from Benin Republic took home $8,000 and laptops.
- Third Place: TeamERROR from Nigeria received $6,000 and laptops.
A notable highlight was the recognition of Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone as the Best Female Participant. Her recognition underscored the growing influence of women in West African cybersecurity.
Earlier, NITDA’s Director General, praised ECOWAS for its dedication to fostering regional unity in addressing cybersecurity. He emphasized the hackathon’s role as a symbol of cooperation among member states, stating, “As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and transnational, collaboration is not optional but essential.”
The hackathon coincided with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, during which NITDA conducted extensive outreach to educate the public on emerging cyber threats. This year’s event saw participation from over 1,500 teams, including 139 led by female captains, with a significant representation of women—1,362 out of 5,341 participants.
Innovation and cross-border collaboration
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Seido Douko, welcomed the participants. He highlighted the need for innovation and cross-border collaboration to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. “Today’s event embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation, bringing together talented young minds to tackle a critical regional challenge,” Douko stated.
The hackathon competition drew over 40 young tech enthusiasts from 14 West African countries. The event demonstrated the region’s collective commitment to developing robust cybersecurity solutions and empowering the next generation of digital defenders.
