From Africa, the Arab States, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean The Greater South Fair for Endogenous Technologies (GreSFET) Hackathon, hosted by the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), has emerged as a pivotal platform for fostering innovation across the Greater South. In just two weeks, teams of aspiring young innovators – from high school students to university students and graduates – came together to confront some of the region’s most pressing challenges, blending local insights with modern technology. The event, held at the OSC’s headquarters, highlights GreSFET’s mission to connect local innovation with global opportunity, creating a space where solutions that begin in the South have the potential to resonate globally.
What sets the GreSFET Hackathon apart is its purpose: it is not just a tech competition; it is an initiative aimed at harnessing local talent to solve real-world problems through technology-driven solutions. Guided by experienced OSC mentors, participants moved from raw concepts to practical, scalable projects designed to meet community needs while aligning with international development goals. The projects tackled diverse sectors, from education to healthcare to supply chain management, each one grounded in the unique challenges and opportunities of the Greater South.
Among the standout innovations were:
- SMOOL: A forward-thinking school management system designed to streamline educational administration and foster a more efficient learning environment.
- Tradmod: A mobile health education platform that seeks to improve healthcare access for marginalised and underserved communities.
- Coffee Trace: A blockchain-powered platform aimed at enhancing transparency and traceability within coffee and cocoa supply chains, ensuring ethical practices and sustainability.
These solutions exemplified GreSFET’s values of creativity, sustainability, and the effective use of local resources. The focus on scalability and long-term impact underscores the Hackathon’s commitment to addressing the complex socio-economic challenges faced by the Greater South.
As the Hackathon’s first phase concluded, anticipation builds for the next stage: the main GreSFET event, scheduled for December 2-3 at the Ethiopian Science Museum in Addis Ababa. This event will provide participants with the opportunity to present their refined innovations to a global audience of experts, investors, and industry leaders. It is a chance not just to showcase their work but to demonstrate how local genius can inspire global impact.
The GreSFET Hackathon journey so far has been a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of young innovators in the Greater South. As we look towards December, these bright minds are not only shaping the future of their communities but also positioning themselves as leaders on the global stage. Their work is a shining example of how innovation, when nurtured and supported, can transcend borders and create lasting, positive change.
