Cortex Hub Launches MCP Hackathon Africa 2025 to Embed African Contexts into AI
The Cortex Hub has announced the launch of MCP Hackathon Africa 2025, a continent-wide initiative aimed at embedding African languages, cultures, and priorities into the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI).
Set to run from September to November 2025 across more than 40 cities, the eight-week program will bring together developers, researchers, startups, and students to build practical solutions using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — an emerging open standard that enables applications to deliver structured, locally relevant information to large language models.
The hackathon will culminate in a continental showcase in Cape Town on 11–12 November 2025, where finalists will present their innovations to investors, incubators, and global technology leaders.
Organizers say the MCP Hackathon is a strategic effort to ensure Africa plays a leading role in shaping Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). By building MCP servers infused with African languages, legal systems, and development priorities, participants will contribute to digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on closed technologies.
Participants will join local hubs in cities across Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius); West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal); Central Africa (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo); East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia); and North Africa (Morocco, Egypt).
They will benefit from bootcamps, mentorship, peer collaboration, and technical resources, including starter code repositories and MCP documentation. Innovation tracks will focus on key sectors such as telecommunications, fintech, agriculture, logistics, and public services — tackling challenges from empowering smallholder farmers with real-time data to strengthening secure payment systems and enabling cross-border trade.
A prize pool of $9,500 will be awarded: $5,000 for the best overall solution, $3,500 for outstanding innovation, and $1,000 for excellence in execution.
Winners will also gain visibility at AfricaCom, one of the continent’s biggest technology events, where they will present to investors and industry stakeholders.
“The Model Context Protocol is Africa’s opportunity to move from being consumers of AI to creators of the standards that govern it,” said Andile Ngcaba, Patron of The Cortex Hub. “By coding MCP servers for our towns and cities, participants will be embedding African contexts, cultures, and priorities into the very fabric of AI’s evolution.”
The initiative is supported by leading technology partners including TESPOK, Seacom, Mauritius Telecom, CSquared, Solcon Capital, and Datacentrix, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing Africa’s digital future.
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