By Joy Onuorah
West Africa is under digital siege, and the battlefront is no longer in boardrooms, it’s in the hands of the region’s youth.
In a daring collaboration, NITDA and ECOWAS have unleashed a new generation of cybersecurity warriors, ready to defend the continent’s vulnerable cyberspace.
This isn’t just another partnership, it’s a bold move to turn the brains of young innovators into the region’s strongest defense because the real heroes are the hackers fighting on the side of justice.
The latest regional security hackathon, hosted in Abuja, Nigeria, wasn’t just any competition—it was a battle of the best. Young tech innovators from across 12 West African nations went head-to-head to prove their mettle in a 30-hour race against cyber threats.
But this wasn’t just about winning; it was about identifying the next generation of cybersecurity warriors who could protect the region from increasingly sophisticated attacks.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, didn’t mince words. “Cyber threats are evolving, and so must we,” he emphasized.
According to Inuwa, the time has come for countries to ditch outdated approaches and embrace regional regulations that prioritize cybersecurity as an essential defense mechanism.
“The vibrant competition within the tech sector is encouraging. By harnessing the energy and creativity of our youth, we can effectively fight cybercrime and prevent them from engaging in criminal activities,” Olawumi added, underscoring the need to tap into young talent as the backbone of this mission.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, echoed this urgency, warning that West Africa’s cyberspace is under siege.
He described the hackathon as a critical event in identifying the talent necessary to build a cyber defense capable of protecting the region. Touray highlighted the collaborative effort between ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, the private sector, and academia in turning this vision into a reality.
This year’s hackathon was the third of its kind, drawing participants from 12 countries, with winners walking away with serious prizes. TeamERROR from Nigeria secured third place, bagging $6,000 and laptops for every member.
M3V7R from Benin Republic took second with an $8,000 prize, while Shell X Roots from Côte d’Ivoire claimed the first prize—$10,000 and laptops. And it wasn’t just about the prize money, these young hackers were given the recognition they deserve, with training programs sponsored by donors and partners to hone their skills for the future.
One standout moment was Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone clinching the Best Female Participant award, a powerful testament to the rising influence of women in cybersecurity across West Africa. With nearly 1,362 female participants out of the 5,341 involved, this hackathon shattered the myth that tech is a man’s game.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, further pointed out that the hackathon came at a pivotal time, aligning with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
He explained that while the world faces an enormous cybersecurity workforce gap, with billions of jobs projected to go unfilled, this event was an answer to that challenge.
“We’re not just competing, we’re building a movement,” Inuwa stated. His words underscored the hackathon’s greater purpose—to foster homegrown solutions that directly address real-world problems.
Inuwa, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, stressed that these initiatives provide the youth with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, leading to recognition, employment, and career growth.
“Our annual hackathons are a platform for startups to showcase innovative solutions, and this one is no different. It’s about solving real-world problems in real-time,” he noted.
The event’s numbers spoke volumes: out of 1,500 teams, 139 were led by female captains—a clear signal that the region’s future in cybersecurity is inclusive and diverse.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Seido Douko, also highlighted the importance of these events in addressing the pressing cybersecurity issues faced by West Africa.
“As technology continues to evolve, mere vigilance is no longer enough. To stay ahead of emerging threats, we must foster adaptability, creativity, and collaboration across borders,” Douko said, firmly placing innovation and collaboration at the heart of the region’s cybersecurity strategy.
He also pointed out that this hackathon wasn’t just about competition but about building a community of innovators committed to driving meaningful change in West Africa’s cybersecurity landscape.
“This event embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation, bringing together talented young minds to tackle a critical regional challenge,” Douko stated.
The 30-hour marathon of code, strategy, and innovation saw over 40 tech enthusiasts from 14 West African countries come together to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the fight against cyber threats.
The real victory is the collaboration, creativity, and sheer talent that proved West Africa’s cybersecurity future is in the hands of its youth, and it’s looking brighter than ever.