HacktheDivide Competition 2025 for Young African Innovators (Fully-funded trip to Italy) Deadline: 7 September, 2025

Are you a digital entrepreneur using technology to expand access to work, training, and better opportunities? #HacktheDivide is your chance to take your ideas further—starting with a two-day hackathon in Nairobi and continuing with incubation support in Italy.

Applications are open to young digital innovators (aged 18-35) from 25 African countries to co-create inclusive tech solutions that address real challenges such as youth employment, digital inclusion, and labour mobility. You’ll spend two days in Nairobi collaborating in teams, supported by expert mentorship, and interacting directly with global institutions and policy leaders shaping Africa’s digital future.
Travel, accommodation, and meals will be covered for all selected participants.

On the final day, you’ll have the opportunity to present your solution live during the broadcast event Skills for Fair Digital Transitions in Africa in Turin, connecting you with key decision-makers in Italy and linking local innovation to global decision-making. One team will be selected for a tailored incubation experience with I3P, Italy’s leading tech incubator. This includes a funded trip to Italy and access to the Italian innovation ecosystem.

Background

#HackTheDivide is part of the broader Skills for Fair Digital Transitions in Africa initiative, co-organized by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and in partnership with the African Union Commission – Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

Aligned with the ILO Decent Work Agenda and Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, this event supports continental frameworks like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2025. It places digital skills at the heart of inclusive, human-centred transitions, contributing to AU Agenda 2063’s goals of inclusive digital growth and youth empowerment.

Prizes

At the end of the hackathon, each team will present their idea to a panel of experts. One winning team will be selected based on the quality, relevance, and potential of their solution.

The winning team will receive a tailored incubation experience with I3P, the incubator of the Politecnico di Torino, and the first public incubator in the world. This includes:

• A fully funded trip to Italy at the end of the incubation process.
• Ongoing mentorship to further develop the idea.
• Access to Italy’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Eligibility

• Open to young digital innovators (aged 18-35) based in the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
• Whether you are already building solutions that help people gain skills, access decent work, or grow their businesses, or working in related areas like education, digital inclusion, migration, fintech, or data innovation, they are looking for young entrepreneurs with the ideas and drive to help shape a more inclusive digital future.

Selection Criteria

• Relevant experience: you or your startup work in one or more of the hackathon’s focus areas.
• Commitment to inclusion: your work aims to expand access and opportunity, especially for underrepresented groups.
• Potential for impact: you bring ideas or insights that could help build solutions others can use and adapt
• Availability: you should be available to attend the full hackathon in Nairobi on 7-8 October 2025.

Application

Apply by September 7. Selected participants will be contacted on September 15.

For more information, visit #HackTheDivide.