Team ShellxRoot from Côte d’Ivoire has emerged as the winner of the 3rd ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon, held in Abuja, Nigeria. The team impressed judges with their exceptional technical skills and innovative solutions, earning them the grand prize of $10,000, along with cutting-edge digital devices.
Benin’s Team M3V7R secured second place, winning $8,000, while Nigeria’s Team Error took third place with a $6,000 prize.
The event, hosted in Nigeria’s capital, highlighted the commitment of ECOWAS and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to nurturing young cybersecurity talent in West Africa. Speaking at the closing ceremony, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, emphasized the need for youth development to combat growing cyber threats.
“It is crucial to tap into the energy of young people, channeling it towards cybersecurity to keep them engaged in positive activities and away from crime,” Inuwa said.
The hackathon was a collaborative effort involving ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, private sector organizations, and academic institutions, aimed at tackling the rising threat of cybercrime in the region.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Sediko Douka, who represented ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, praised the event’s role in empowering young talent. “The Hackathon is a platform for nurturing skills and supporting youth in the digital age. By strengthening our cyber workforce, we enhance regional security and stability,” Douka remarked.
He also encouraged participants, emphasizing how the competition offered valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of cybersecurity challenges. Douka added that the Hackathon aligns with ECOWAS’s vision of building a robust cyberspace and supporting global efforts to safeguard digital assets.
He further noted that new regulations at both the African Union and ECOWAS levels have been adopted to ensure high cybersecurity standards across member countries, urging nations to enforce these measures.
A standout moment of the event was the recognition of Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone, who won the Best Female Participant award, underscoring the increasing role of women in the cybersecurity sector across West Africa.