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September 02.2025

2 Minutes Read

Unlock African Creativity: Join the ACM Hackathon 2025 for N10 Million Prize

Africa Creative Market Hackathon 2025 promotional poster with team collaboration

Applications Now Open for Africa Creative Market Hackathon 2025

The Africa Creative Market (ACM), in partnership with Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Co-Creation Hub Africa (CcHub), has officially kicked off the ACM Hackathon 2025. This eagerly anticipated event will run from September 16 to 19 in Lagos, Nigeria, and is set to reward innovative solutions aimed at transforming how music and film are distributed across the continent, with a grand prize of ₦10 million for the winning team.

Challenges in Africa's Creative Distribution Ecosystem

This year's theme, “Distribute Africa: Hacking the Future of Music & Film Access”, highlights the pressing issues within Africa's creative sector, including piracy, inadequate distribution frameworks, and revenue loss due to a lack of proper monetization strategies. As noted by ACM founder Inya Lawal, the goal is to harness the talents of Africa's creatives to confront these challenges directly.

What Teams Can Expect

Participants will engage in an immersive experience over four days, forming multidisciplinary teams that combine skills in software development, UI/UX design, content strategy, and possibly legal or business modeling. Daily sessions will provide mentoring, high-speed internet, and meals, all fostering a collaborative environment for innovation.

The Value Beyond the Prize

The competition does not merely end with cash rewards. Winning teams will receive benefits such as technical support from AWS, incubation opportunities at CcHub, and invaluable media exposure. Furthermore, winners will showcase their projects to investors during a Demo Day, creating pathways for future growth and collaboration.

Why Participation Matters

Engaging in this hackathon presents a unique opportunity for innovators to contribute to the broader African creative economy. By addressing significant issues in distribution and access, participants play a vital role in shaping the future landscape of media in Africa.

Key Dates to Remember

Applications Open: August 29, 2025
Deadline to Apply: September 5, 2025
Selected Teams Notification: September 8, 2025
Hackathon Dates: September 16–19, 2025
Demo Day & Final Pitch: September 19, 2025

The ACM Hackathon 2025 is a pivotal event for creative and tech communities across Africa. Participation could very well lead to catalyzing meaningful change in the continent's entertainment landscape, reinforcing the importance of innovative thinking in today’s digital age.

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