Community

"As Pangea Accelerator, we are excited to be a local partner in the East Africa region supporting the EU: Africa The Post Crisis Journey Hackathon. We believe innovative solutions to some of our most pressing needs in the continent can be found when we collaborate across borders and learn from each other. We can't wait to see the business cases that will come out of this process."

Anne Lawi
Country Director, Pangea Accelerator

"Hackathons seem to have disappeared from Rwandan’s start-up scene since the outbreak of Covid-19 earlier this year, However, Covid-19 has upset the engine of the startup community. That doesn’t mean hackathons will die out yet. In fact, hackathons are scaling up, though virtually, and they’re actively trying to find the best talent and solution to combat the impact of Covid-19. We are happy to take part in the Garage48 hackathon by partnering with EU Africa."

Benjamin Mnirafasha
Iris Hub, Founder & CEO

"Necessity is the mother of invention" - It is in dire times like these that we truly feel the power of humanity in coming together to shed light on the darkness that befell us. I am thrilled to see the African Union and EU countries fostering cross-continental collaboration and can't wait to see what participants will invent. It behooves us, at Isachamp, to join forces with this movement that will lead to change in the African continent. Thank you Garage48 for this opportunity!"

Bouya Maalainine
Isachamp, Founder & CEO

"This EU/AU collaboration initiative is exciting because it not only shows an increase in public sector support for tech entrepreneurship in Africa, but it also helps to increase the world's recognition of the immense amount of talent the continent holds. This hackathon is an opportunity for Africans to show off their solutions not only to African problems but global problems too."

Lundie Strom
Mest Africa, Head of Community Relations

"Everyone in a lifetime has an opportunity to make society better by solving the smallest problem in a community at a time. These are the things that make society better and make us change agents. Our ability to think about solutions and implement them to improve lives & Society."

Florence Toffa
Mobile Web Ghana, Director

"The EU-Africa Online Hackathon comes at a time when Africa needs robust solutions to counteract the problems that COVID-19 has brought to the continent. This initiative presents us with an opportunity to create new and innovative ways of collaboration in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic."

Najma Remarks
PR and Communications Lead, Sahara Ventures

"The mobilization of EU and African tech communities create a platform that gives young active citizens 48hours to explore twinning and learning on issues exposed by COVID19 and how leveraging on tech can connect the dots to achieving joint goals (or win together) against challenges COVID19 has brought to Africa and Africans."

Odeh Friday
Country Director, Accountability Lab, Nigeria

"The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a lot of ecosystems to push for more nationalism than globalization in line with the law of self-preservation. However, the EU: Africa The post journey hackathon has gone against this mindset to encourage co-creation between African and European teams to encourage solutions that not only push for the survival but the resilience of communities, thus demonstrating that the spirit of Ubuntu supersedes all."

Richard Zulu
Outbox

"Till now relationships between Africa and Europe have continued to be driven by aspects of our shared sometimes dark history. With the current changing global environment, our shared future will need to be designed through fair, mutual, respectful and balance relationships and power dynamics. Europe & Africa need new and creative interlocutors who are bold, connected, and able to tap into new opportunities in order to curate the shared, mutual, and way more balanced future & relationships."

Dedo N Baranshamaje
Director of Innovation Segal Family Foundation

"If you enjoy building solutions, the EU-Africa online hackathon is an incredible opportunity to deepen your skills, meet new people, and solve problems."

Silumesii Maboshe
Co-Founder and Director, Consult Bongo Hive, Zambia

"The rules changed with Covid 19 and this exciting opportunity will allow Zimbabwe to craft new and innovative digital solutions that could shape the region."

Simba Mswaka
Program Manager, Tech Hub Harare

"There is an African proverb that says ''If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.'' I believe with the same vision, unity, and great collaboration we can make a better world of advanced technology, especially in Africa."

Yeetah Kemikazi
Innovation Hubs & Training Programs Coordinator

"The future is African! Building wide-reaching bridges through this initiative will shed light on the potential of the continent and the level of creativity, innovation, and resilience of African entrepreneurs."

Yehia Houry
Managing Director, Flat6Lab, Tunisia