from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – NAMIBIA is to host a mega hackathon later this month as part of efforts to accelerate digital transformation in the public sector.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is organising the event set for the 15th October, as confirmed by Minister Emma Theofelus.
The hackathon is a central feature of Namibia’s new National Digital Strategy, aimed at boosting digital government services and modernising the public sector.
“This event will provide a platform for innovators, students and graduates to advance and create digital solutions that solve national problems, enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility to government services,” Theofelus said.
There are financial rewards for the winners.
This includes a grand prize of N$100 000 (US$5 794).
Second prize is N$20 000 (US$1 159) and third prize N$10 000 (US$579).
For the winners, there is extra motivation in mentorship and internship programmes at leading technology companies.
The October 15 hackathon will be the latest in a series of such events in the Southern African nation, coming on the back of one in July by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), in partnership with Methealth Namibia Administrators, focusing on creating innovative healthcare solutions.
In May, the Founders Arena Hackathon, organised by Exoasia Innovation Hub and Openverse, targeted supply chain inefficiencies using blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The University of Namibia (UNAM) and Hack4dev organised a hackathon that brought together students for a competition focused on data science.
– CAJ News