GlobalDigital Economy
Hackathon
JCI Nigeria presents
Global Digital Economy Hackathon
A nationwide hackathon for young Nigerians. Bring a team, bring a stubborn problem, and leave Ibadan with something that works.
Entries close 4 September 2026.
- Registration
- Open till 4 Sep 2026
- Finale
- 8 to 10 October 2026
- Venue
- JCI Nigeria National Convention, Ibadan
Why this hackathon
Nigeria's greatest resource is already here.
Nigeria has one of the youngest populations on earth and a digital economy growing faster than the institutions around it. What is missing is rarely talent or ambition. It is the bridge between a good idea and something that actually ships.
Most hackathons stop at the pitch. The GDE Hackathon goes further: an open call that reaches every state, a virtual boot camp on innovation, entrepreneurship and AI, mentors paired with teams for a genuine 48-hour build, and a demo day in front of sponsors, incubation labs and investors.
Beyond the prizes, finalists step into JCI's global leadership network, the part that keeps working long after the weekend is over.
What we are looking for
We want solutions aimed straight at the problems Nigeria has learned to live with: the queue that never moves, the record that goes missing, the market a farmer cannot reach. Build the thing that makes people ask why it did not already exist.
Our test: could this idea sound almost impossible on Day 1, and still be a working, demonstrable solution by Saturday's Demo Day?
How it works
Six stages, from open call to Demo Day.
- 01
The Call Goes Nationwide
15 Aug to 4 Sep 2026
An open invitation to every corner of Nigeria. Teams enter at idea or proof of concept stage.
- 02
Virtual Boot Camp
8 to 10 Sep 2026
Orientation, an introduction to JCI, and training on innovation, entrepreneurship and AI.
- 03
Panel Screening
Top 20 announced 12 Sep 2026
A panel reviews every submission and shortlists twenty teams.
- 04
Preliminary Pitch (Virtual)
18 to 19 Sep 2026
The Top 20 defend their ideas live. Ten teams advance.
- 05
Pre-Event Preparation
Top 10 announced 19 Sep 2026
Travel, logistics and readiness support for the finalist teams.
- 06
The Finale
8 to 10 Oct 2026
A three-day, in-person hackathon in Ibadan at the JCI Nigeria National Convention.
The Finale · Ibadan
An intensive and immersive 48-hour innovation sprint, from opening pitches, discovery, planning, designing, and prototyping to a final live demo.
Ten finalist teams. One room. 10 Mentors.
A working solution within 48 hours.
Day 1, Thursday
- Orientation & mentor pairing
- Discovery & planning
- Evening opening ceremony: 2-minute elevator pitches
Day 2, Friday
- Solution development, all day
- Prototyping & deck refinement
- AI build tools encouraged and available
Day 3, Saturday
- Final pitch & live Demo Day
- Judging before sponsors, labs and investors
- Awards & closing
Demo Day audience: sponsors, incubation labs, angel investors, industry leaders and the JCI Nigeria National Board.
Eligibility
Who can enter.
Teams of 4 to 5 members, ages 18 to 40
- Open to Nigerian citizens and residents, aged 18 to 40.
- Team-based only. Register as a pre-formed team of 4 to 5 members.
- Every team must include at least one developer, one product designer, and one project or product manager.
- Ideas may be submitted at proof of concept stage. A working product is not required to apply.
- Use of AI is greatly encouraged and forms part of judging, but it is not mandatory.
- Two sponsored delegates per team travel to Ibadan with delegate registration and shared accommodation. Others may attend at their own cost or join the build virtually.
Prizes & incentives
Over ₦5 million in prize money, plus incubation support.
Champion
₦2,500,000
Gadgets, business mentorship & incubation support
1st Runner-Up
₦1,000,000
Gadgets, business mentorship & incubation support
2nd Runner-Up
₦750,000
Gadgets, business mentorship & incubation support
4th to 10th place (7 teams)
₦100,000 each
Branded kit & certificate
All participating teams receive a certificate.
Registration: open till 4th September
Register Your Team.
Form your team of 4 to 5, sharpen the problem you want to solve, and get your submission in before entries close on 4 September 2026.
Register Your TeamFor organizations
Partner with the next generation of Nigerian innovators.
Opportunities across sponsorship, incubation partnership, angel investment, industry mentorship and media partnership.
FAQ