Celebrating Africa’s Youth: Innovation in Action at SIREXE Hackathon

When we talk about shaping Africa’s future, one of the most powerful forces driving change is our youth and startup community. During the SIREXE event in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, this was on full display at the Hackathon organized by the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining, and Energy. For me, this Hackathon wasn’t just a highlight of the event—it was a celebration of African ingenuity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

The Hackathon brought together bright minds from across Côte d’Ivoire and beyond to tackle real-world problems affecting the energy and extractive sectors. The initiative showcased the potential of young Africans, startups, and even established companies to provide innovative solutions that can address critical issues.

The Vision Behind the Hackathon

The idea was simple but powerful: the ministry, acknowledging that they don’t always have the capacity to address every problem, opened the door to youth, students, startups, and even larger firms. Participants were invited to develop solutions to pressing challenges such as:

• Illegal gold exploitation
• Improving street lighting systems
• Detecting gas leaks

This approach was nothing short of visionary, offering a platform for young people to engage directly with real-world issues and showcase their ability to innovate in impactful ways. Côte d’Ivoire’s government deserves immense credit for this initiative, which not only highlights the talent and potential within Africa’s youth but also empowers them to create tangible solutions to societal challenges.

The Scale of the Competition

The scale and diversity of participation were truly inspiring.

• 221 teams registered to compete, comprising a total of 316 members.
• They submitted 134 projects, addressing a wide range of challenges.
• From this impressive pool, 9 teams reached the final stage, representing a mix of local talent from Côte d’Ivoire and participants from other African nations.

The competition officially kicked off on 20 September, with presentations made to schools, startups, and companies. A strong promotional campaign, including influencers, ensured the initiative reached a wide audience. By the final day, CEOs, directors, and high-ranking officials joined the audience to witness the finalists pitch their ideas to an expert jury.

The finalists weren’t just presenting ideas—they were showcasing solutions ready to tackle the continent’s pressing challenges.

A Rigorous Process

The Hackathon wasn’t just a free-for-all; it was structured to ensure that participants delivered practical and impactful solutions. Teams were required to submit:

1. A formal application
2. A 10-slide PowerPoint presentation
3. A 5-minute video pitch

The selection criteria were equally rigorous:

1. Technological solutions (practicality, innovation, and problem-solving) accounted for 70 points.
2. Environmental and financial impact added another 15 points.
3. Administrative simplicity contributed the final 10 points.

This level of detail ensured that the competition wasn’t just about flashy ideas but about solutions that could truly be implemented on the ground.

Meeting the Runners-Up: Team INLITE

One of the most inspiring moments for me was meeting Team INLITE, one of the 9 finalists, who ended the competition as runners-up. Made up of five brilliant individuals, including one talented young woman, this team left a lasting impression on me.

Their pitch demonstrated a perfect blend of bright ideas, ambition, and intelligence, and what stood out was their genuine passion for solving societal problems. Many of the team members had participated in previous hackathons, which spoke to their deep commitment to innovation.

Team INLITE’s journey highlights the power of Africa’s startup community to step up, innovate, and address real-world issues. These are the kinds of young leaders we need to champion if we are to move Africa forward—not just in energy, but in every sector.

Why This Matters

The SIREXE Hackathon wasn’t just a competition—it was a blueprint for how governments and institutions can engage youth to solve societal problems. Here’s why initiatives like this are so important:

1. Empowering Youth: Africa’s young population is its greatest resource. Platforms like this empower them to channel their creativity into meaningful solutions.
2. Solving Local Challenges: By focusing on real-world problems, the Hackathon ensured that the solutions presented were both relevant and actionable.
3. Collaboration Across Borders: The participation of teams from outside Côte d’Ivoire highlighted the pan-African spirit of innovation and collaboration.
4. Bridging the Gap: By bringing together students, startups, and established companies, the Hackathon bridged the gap between emerging talent and established institutions.

A Bright Future

What stood out most to me was the commitment of the ministry and participating companies to support the finalists beyond the Hackathon, helping them refine their solutions and take them to the next stage. This is how you create a sustainable pipeline of innovation—by not only identifying great ideas but also investing in them.

For young Africans, this Hackathon sends a clear message: your ideas matter, and you have a role to play in solving Africa’s challenges.

A Call to Action

As we celebrate the incredible success of the SIREXE Hackathon, I want to encourage young Africans, innovators, and problem solvers to keep pushing boundaries. The future of Africa lies in your hands.

If you’re looking to connect with bright minds and see what innovation looks like in action, I highly recommend reaching out to the INLITE team. Connect with Chimanpou Sarata Soumahoro , Koubi Sokouri Emmanuel Seri and Kouame Othniel J. Herwan N'dri —some of the brightest talents I’ve had the privilege of meeting.

Congratulations to Côte d’Ivoire’s government for this incredible initiative. Your example is one that others across the continent should follow. And to the youth of Africa: keep dreaming, keep building, and keep solving!

#Innovation #AfricaRising #Hackathon #YouthEmpowerment #SIREXE2024 #EnergySolutions

Tony Tiyou is the founder and CEO of Renewables in Africa (RiA) is a Clean Energy Company raising Awareness about Renewable Energy in Africa and across the globe.

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