Our Events Schedule Plan
The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP) Hackathon, spearheaded by CHERITHCODE CONCEPT LTD, will be held during the Science of Trade Conference 2025, from May 01 to May 03, 2025.
Day 1: Kickoff, Orientation & Ideation
Theme: Understanding AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and Defining Challenges
Morning
Welcome Address
Presented by AfCFTA Secretariat and Partners
Keynote Speech 1
Digital Trade in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities under AfCFTA
Keynote Speech 2
Innovating for Trade Facilitation: The Role of Technology
Afternoon
Panel Discussion
Key Provisions in the Protocol
Workshop 1
Digitalizing Trade Documentation and Paperless Trading.
Workshop 2
Digital Identity & Trust Services for Cross-Border Trade
Evening
Team Formation
10 Teams, 5 Members Each
Team Matching
Team Matching & Ideation Guidance by Facilitators
Team Introductions
Team Introductions & 1-Minute Elevator Pitch per Team
Mentorship
Mentorship Session by Industry Experts
Hackathon
Hackathon commences
Day 2: Development & Mentorship
Theme: Building and Refining MVPs
Morning
Breakout Mentorship Session
Each team consults mentors (tech and trade experts) to refine their ideas and scope.
Lightning Talks
Emerging Tech (Blockchain, AI, Open APIs)
Lightning Talks
African Digital Trade Regulations
Lightning Talks
Data Protection & Cross-Border Flow
Lightning Talks
UX for Multilingual and Inclusive Access
Lightning Talks
Scaling Pan-African Platforms
24-Hour Hack Begins
Teams Code & Design Solutions
Midway Checkpoint
Submit Demo Videos & Progress Decks
Live Engagement
Twitter/X Spaces, YouTube Highlights, Instagram Stories
Day 3: Demo Day & Awards
Theme: Showcasing Innovation & Charting the Path Forward
Morning
Final Hacking Sprint
Teams complete their solutions
Live User Testing & Feedback
Live User Testing & Feedback Collection
Afternoon
Final Team Presentations
5 - 7 mins per team
Submission of Deliverables
GitHub Repo, Demo Video, Pitch Deck
Judging Criteria
Alignment with AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol
Judging Criteria
Feasibility & Scalability
Judging Criteria
Innovation & Technical Execution
Judging Criteria
UI/UX and Multilingual Accessibility
Judging Criteria
Economic & Social Impact
Award Categories
Best Trade Facilitation Solution
Award Categories
Best Youth-Led Innovation
Award Categories
Best Women-Led Team
Award Categories
Best Use of Technology
Award Categories
People’s Choice Award
Awards Ceremony & Recognition
Recognition and award of winning teams
Closing Remarks & Future Outlook
Closing Remarks & Future Outlook
Networking Dinner
Dinner and Networking
Day 4: Final Development and Testing
Theme: Perfecting and Preparing Solutions for Presentation
Intensive Hacking Session
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Teams finalize their solutions and focus on UX/UI, functionality, and robustness.
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Conduct user testing and refine based on feedback.
Dry Runs and Mentorship
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Teams rehearse presentations and receive pitch coaching.
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Final debugging and polishing of solutions.
Submission Deadline
Teams submit their final solutions and presentations.
Exploring Digital Trade Measures: Key Provisions in the Protocol
Day 5: Review and Presentations
Theme: Showcasing Innovation and Charting the Path Forward
Solution Demonstrations
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Each team presents their solution to a panel of judges (financiers, trade experts, tech leaders, policymakers).
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Presentations include:
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Problem addressed.
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Solution overview and demo.
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Feasibility and scalability plan.
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Alignment with AfCFTA DTP.
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Judging and Awards
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Categories include:
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Best Overall Solution.
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Most Innovative Solution.
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Best Regulatory Compliance.
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Best Logistics and Delivery Solution.
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Prizes and recognition awarded to winning teams.
Closing Ceremony
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Best Overall Solution.
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Most Innovative Solution.
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Best Regulatory Compliance.
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Best Logistics and Delivery Solution.
E-Commerce Policy & Trust
Connectivity Access
Digital Payments
Logistics & Delivery
Youth & MSME Inclusion
Global Expansion
E-Commerce Adoption