A Nigerian data analyst, Somtochukwu Uzodufa, has emerged the winner of Africa’s Edtech hackathon — 10Alytics — taking home a $1,000 cash prize.
According to a Sunday statement, Uzodufa’s exceptional time management, clarity, and compelling presentation style set her apart from top contenders across Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.
“She secured 81.71 per cent from the judges, ahead of Ishaq Kofi (Nigeria), who placed second, while Ghana’s Kwame Otchere and Kenya’s Nicholas Otieno tied with 77.71 per cent, earning the third position,” the statement read in part.
This year’s hackathon was themed: ‘Unravelling Africa’s Sovereign Debt Crisis: Paths to Sustainability’.
Leveraging data-driven analysis, contestants were tasked with uncovering actionable insights, exposing cross-country fiscal behaviours, and contributing to global solutions aimed at improving public financial management.
Participants used artificial intelligence, data science, and analytical modelling to transform fragmented macroeconomic indicators—such as budget balances, GDP (real and nominal), health expenditure, inflation, VAT, trade data, unemployment, government debt, and population metrics—into meaningful intelligence capable of strengthening governance and driving evidence-based policymaking.
“The first prize went home with $1,000 cash prize, second prize — $600, third prize — $400. The 4th to 6th positions received United Kingdom internship experiences, while the 7th and 8th winners got an AI Automation course scholarship.
“The 9th and 10th winners received two months of curriculum vitae Matchly AI access. This year, 2,282 individuals from 51 countries registered, while 217 participants from 12 countries successfully submitted entries. At the end of the final presentations, 12 winners from four countries emerged,” the statement added.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of 10Alytics, Chukwuemeka Ikpa, said, “Data sits at the core of life and development. Africa holds an abundance of untapped social data, and when properly analysed, it can reshape planning, governance, and economic transformation.
“Since 2021, 10Alytics has become a launchpad for African data talent, hosting six successful hackathons in four years, four open to the public and two exclusive to 10Alytics alumni. Its global hackathons have consistently championed the use of data analytics to solve pressing social issues across Africa.”
10Alytics is Africa’s Edtech company focused on providing specialised training in technology skills and delivering comprehensive data consulting services. With over five years of building talent for the technology workforce, 10Alytics has helped more than 5,100 people transition from the classroom into their first tech job across the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The 2025 global hackathon was executed in collaboration with Mainstack as the main sponsor, while the dataset and case study were co-created with BudgIT.
