Official Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: April 3rd, 2025
1. Overview
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern participation in the AfCFTA Hackathon ("Hackathon"), as organized by the AfCFTA Hackathon team. By submitting an application to participate in the Hackathon (the "Application"), you ("Participant") agree to abide by these Terms in full.
2. Eligibility & Participation
Team Formation:
Participation is encouraged as a team. Individuals are welcome to come to the venue to form a team on-site, provided they satisfy eligibility criteria.
Individuals as Teams:
If you apply as an individual, you must either subsequently join a team on-site or form one at the venue before the Hackathon begins.
Application Process:
Submission of an Application signifies acceptance of all Terms herein. Only participants whose Applications have been approved in writing by the Organizer are officially accepted.
3. Application & Acceptance
By submitting the Application, you affirm that all information provided is accurate and true. The Organizer reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject or accept any Application without providing a reason.
4. Participation Requirements
Participants are expected to behave professionally, collaborate respectfully, and support the spirit of innovation and teamwork. The Organizer may disqualify any team or individual for reasons including, but not limited to:
- Harmful conduct
- Plagiarism
- Breach of these Terms
5. Intellectual Property
Each team retains ownership of its own pre-existing intellectual property (IP). Any new ideas, code, or creations developed during the Hackathon ("Hackathon IP") remain the property of the respective team, unless otherwise stated in separate agreements.
By participating, you grant the Organizer a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to:
- Use, reproduce, modify, and display Hackathon IP
- Use content for promotional purposes
- Use content for publicity purposes
- Use content for archival purposes
6. Prize Fund Guidelines
6.1 Seed Fund, Not Personal Reward
The prize fund allocated to winning teams is provided as seed capital to support the growth and development of the project/platform presented at the Hackathon. It must not be divided among team members as personal reward.
6.2 Responsible Use of Funds
The seed fund must be utilized for activities such as:
- Product development
- Market validation
- Technical improvements
- Business structuring
- Other milestones that transform the solution into a viable, scalable, and impactful venture
6.3 Visibility & Publicity
Winning teams agree to publicly share their achievement on official and personal social media platforms, including:
- Tagging AfCFTA Hackathon channels where applicable
- Highlighting their win
- Sharing their vision
- Demonstrating commitment to advancing the idea
6.4 Progress & Accountability
Winners will be expected to:
- Be invited to the next edition of the AfCFTA Hackathon to showcase their progress
- Provide periodic updates or reports to the Organizing Committee (may be required)
6.5 Community & Recognition
Winning teams automatically become part of the AfCFTA Innovation Community—a network of innovators across Africa. Winners are expected to:
- Remain engaged with the community
- Collaborate with peers
- Share insights
- Contribute actively to the network
- Participate in official communication groups (e.g., WhatsApp)
7. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability
The Organizer, including its successors, assigns, employees, and agents, excluding explicitly the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, is not responsible for any:
- Losses arising from or in connection with the Hackathon
- Damages arising from or in connection with the Hackathon
- Claims arising from or in connection with the Hackathon
- Costs arising from or in connection with the Hackathon
- Liabilities arising from or in connection with the Hackathon
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Organizer (excluding the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office) disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, regarding any aspect of the Hackathon.
8. Exclusion of Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office is explicitly excluded from any liability, claims, damages, or losses arising in connection with the Hackathon.
9. Safety & Conduct
Participants are responsible for their personal safety and belongings. The Organizer does not assume liability for any:
- Personal injury that may occur during the Hackathon
- Illness that may occur during the Hackathon
- Loss that may occur during the Hackathon
- Damage that may occur during the Hackathon
10. Privacy & Use of Personal Data
The Organizer may collect and process personal information including:
- Name
- Contact details
- Biography
- Team details
Personal data will be used in accordance with the Organizer's Privacy Policy (to be referenced separately).
11. Photography, Video & Promotion
The Organizer may record, photograph, or film the Hackathon. By participating, you grant permission for the following to be used in promotional or archival materials without compensation:
- Your name
- Your likeness
- Your image
- Your voice
- Your biographical information
12. Changes to the Hackathon & Terms
The Organizer reserves the right to modify, cancel, suspend, or postpone the Hackathon or these Terms at any time. Continued participation after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Nigeria. All disputes arising from or related to these Terms or the Hackathon shall be referred to the Lagos State Multi Door Courthouse (LMDC) for mediation, which shall be final and binding on the Parties.
Ready to Participate?
By applying, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. Join us in shaping Africa's digital trade future.
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