Applications Open For Campus Blockchain Hackathon

The Campus Blockchain Hackathon is an initiative of Africa Blockchain Institute (ABI), to give students from institutions of higher learning in Africa, early exposure to the career and business opportunities being presented by the Blockchain/DLT Digital Innovations. The Hackathon creates a structured and sustainable community that nurtures and empowers awesome developers by providing and democratizing access to knowledge, capital and mentorship.

This contest asks students from academic institutions of higher learning across Africa, to build Blockchain Applications on Free TON that will add value to both the continent and the Free TON network.

FREE TON positions itself as a community of the Open Source (OS) project that was created by the developers of the Telegram Open Network (TON). TON OS is designed as a decentralized operating system to handle decentralized applications. One way to imagine it is that, it’s more full-featured than the Ethereum Virtual Machine which strictly only runs code. TON OS has a stack of components which can be used by developers to create powerful applications. By making these components Open Source, anyone or everyone can view and copy fragments of the code.

“The entry of FreeTON into the African continent is by no means an accident. Our governance model of a decentralized community driven initiative, resonates well with our African culture where community driven activities is a norm. Transfer of knowledge to the juniors is also a role of the senior members of the community,” John Kanyiri, FreeTON Africa Representative and the FreeTON Africa Team.

 

“For that reason, partnering with educational institutions, particularly ABI, in support of our University students is an honour.  As the African continent endeavors to be part of global innovators and solution providers, FreeTON Africa is committed to engaging and mentoring the continent’s blockchain community today and beyond.”

The Hackathon is planned to engage the academia on everything and anything they need to know about Blockchain Technology. Topics covered will not only give participants a good understanding of the Blockchain and how it works but will also discuss current and future applications and how they are being implemented to change the world profitably.

Tracks

• Fintech infrastructure/Digital Wallets (to help those who do not have access to banking)
• Human rights protections.
• Land ownership and registry
• National voting platforms
• High tech job creation
• (Participants are allowed to specify any other applications that best serve the needs of Africa).

The Contest is divided into the country competition, regional competition, then the continental competition. While the country and regional competitions are virtual, winners of regional competitions will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Visit Rwanda for the Finals.

Even if you are a newbie, don’t panic! Some of the best technical experts in the blockchain community will be there to help you build your project. Come as you are!

The Grand Finale will be hosted at the African Leadership University, Kigali-Rwanda.

The Hackathon Program is in partnership with the Rwanda Information Society authority (RISA); Ministry of ICT & Innovation, Republic of Rwanda; Government Blockchain Association – Africa; African Leadership University; and TON Labs.

Notable Dates

Applications open: December 21st, 2020.

Idea screening & award: January 4th – 21st, 2021.

Application Deadline: January 22nd, 2021.

Hackathon Dates: February 1st, 2021 – April 8th, 2021

Begin your application here: https://africablockchain.institute/campus-hackathon/