Côte D’Ivoire Emerges Champion of ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024

Team ShellxRoot from Côte d’Ivoire has emerged as the winner of the 3rd Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon.

Their exceptional skills and innovative solutions have earned them the top spot, along with a cash prize of $10,000 and state-of-the-art digital devices.

Team M3V7R from Benin Republic secured 2nd place at the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon and went home with $8,000, while Team Error from Nigeria took 3rd place with a cash prize of $6,000.

The event, hosted in Nigeria and concluded in Abuja, the nation’s capital, came with a commitment from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and ECOWAS to continue identifying and improving the capacity and skills of West African youth to protect the region’s cyberspace and motivate them to deepen their involvement in the industry and safeguard digital infrastructure.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Oladejo Olawumi, stated that it has become necessary for the region to harness the talents of young people to fight cybercrime, emphasising that the agency will continue to support future events.

Olawumi told reporters in an interview “It is very interesting to know that there is healthy competition in this kind of technology sector. That is why we are trying to harness the beautiful energy of the youth to ensure that we fight cybercrime so they won’t have time to go into crime.”

He noted that ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, private sector organisations, and academia collaborated to make the competition a success with the goal of tackling the menace of cybercrime, which knows no borders.

Also Read: Nigeria Hosts 3rd ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon

The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation at the ECOWAS Commission, Sediko Douka, representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dry Omar Alieu Touray, stated that the challenge was intended to expand the skills and knowledge of the youth constituency so they can play a vital role in the region’s cyberspace.

He said, “The Hackathon challenge provides a platform for talent identification and support for young individuals interested in new technology. By enhancing the cyber workforce, we contribute to the region’s stability and security. In an age where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve.”

He encouraged the youth, saying, “By participating in this competition, I am sure you have enhanced your understanding of the latest cybersecurity challenges and techniques. You have also gained hands-on experience that will strengthen your skill set. You have learned lessons that will allow you to perform better.”

He further noted, “It is gratifying to see that the institution of this competition offers ECOWAS the opportunity to reaffirm its ambition to build a very resilient cyberspace, thus contributing to the global effort to protect digital assets and privacy.”

He added that there are new regulations at the level of the African Union and the ECOWAS regional level, urging all countries to abide by these regulations and fundamentally implement them to protect critical institutions.

Apart from the awards that were given, he mentioned that there is training that the young people will benefit from, sponsored by donors and partners.

One of the highlights of the event was the special recognition of Hannah Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone for winning the Best Female Participant award at the #ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon! Hannah’s dedication serves as a reminder of the growing role of women in cybersecurity and tech across the ECOWAS region.

First PIX: Team ShellxRoot from Côte d’Ivoire.
2ND PIX: Team M3V7R from Benin Republic.
3RD PIX: Team Error from Nigeria.