Qhala, Huawei and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority recently hosted a 24-hour AI hackathon that placed agriculture at the heart of innovation. Held both in-person and remotely, the event drew 50 student participants from universities across Africa, including a notable cohort from Moi University.
The hackathon challenged participants to build AI-powered solutions addressing real-world problems within five thematic areas: Agriculture, Fintech, Healthcare, Education, and Governance. Agriculture, a cornerstone of Africa’s economy and food security, received special emphasis, inspiring the development of high-potential, tech-driven solutions.
Taking first place was a team that developed an AI-powered platform designed to predict market prices for agricultural products. By aggregating historical data, real-time market trends, and weather patterns, the tool helps farmers, traders, and financial institutions make better-informed decisions. The solution aims to reduce market volatility, protect smallholder farmers from exploitation, and increase profitability across the value chain.
Two teams tied for second place. One team created a comprehensive farm data collection and analysis system, enhanced with an AI chatbot that guides farmers in yield forecasting, pest control, and best farming practices. Notably, the chatbot is available in local languages and functions with limited internet access, making it accessible to rural communities and effectively bridging the knowledge gap for smallholder farmers.
The other runner-up introduced a cutting-edge AI and Augmented Reality (AR) mobile application. Originally designed for urban planning, the app overlays real-time intelligence such as infrastructure conditions and usage statistics—onto buildings through a smartphone camera. The team showcased how this technology could be adapted for agricultural settings to optimize storage facilities, map irrigation systems, and assess structural integrity on farms.
This hackathon not only highlighted the transformative role of AI in solving African challenges but also demonstrated the ingenuity of young African innovators. By fostering practical, scalable technologies in agriculture and beyond, the event affirmed the continent’s growing potential to lead in tech-driven development.
