Lagos recently played host to the #BuildWithAI Hackathon, a high-profile event organised by Google Developer Groups (GDG) Lagos in partnership with SeerBit and GOMYCODE. The competition brought together some of Nigeria’s brightest developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to create groundbreaking solutions leveraging artificial intelligence. Startups and developers from across the country were in attendance, pitching for the grand prize and access to Google perks and technology infrastructure that would have cost thousands of dollars.
Among the distinguished panel of judges were Kehinde Olateru, an experienced technology leader and founder of XeroComplex AI, and Mercy Akamo, a renowned communications strategist, TEDx Ambassador, and founder of the Africa Teens Summit. Both Olateru and Akamo, alongside other respected industry figures, evaluated the innovative projects submitted by teams competing for recognition and support.
According to Femi Taiwo, one of the lead organizers of the hackathon, the event’s impact goes beyond the competition itself:
“This hackathon is about powering innovation and giving developers a chance to build solutions that can transform industries. Having judges like Mercy Akamo and Kehinde Olateru, and other professionals with years of proven experience and leadership, ensures that participants are guided and evaluated by some of the best minds in the ecosystem. Their involvement adds credibility and immense value to the competition.”
The hackathon served as a platform for young developers and entrepreneurs to showcase their skills in applying AI to solve real-world problems in sectors ranging from fintech and healthtech to education and logistics. The organisers noted that the calibre of entries reflected Nigeria’s fast-growing reputation as a hub of digital innovation on the African continent.
By bringing together international partners like Google Developer Groups and GOMYCODE with local talent, the #BuildWithAI Hackathon underscored the importance of collaboration in driving Africa’s digital transformation. As the winning teams prepare to refine their projects with outcomes and learnings from the Hackathon and pursue further opportunities, the hackathon has reaffirmed Lagos as a leading centre for AI-driven innovation in Africa.
See also: Bolt at 10: Small beginnings, big wins and global problems
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