Building Zambia's Digital Future
INFRATEL - UNZA iHub Hackathon 2026
Do you have what it takes to build Zambia’s next enterprise technology solution?
Join developers, innovators, startups, students, and technology professionals in solving real business and infrastructure challenges through technology.
About the Hackathon
The INFRATEL iHub Innovation Hackathon 2026 is a challenge-based innovation programme designed to identify scalable, commercially viable digital solutions that address real operational and commercial challenges. Participants will develop prototype-driven solutions with opportunities for incubation and commercialisation.
Why Participate?
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Compete for Cash Prizes
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Showcase Your Innovation to Industry Leaders
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Access Mentorship and Technical Guidance
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Build Real-World Solutions
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Opportunity to Join the INFRATEL iHub Incubation Programme
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Network with Developers, Startups, and Technology Leaders
Four Challenges. One Mission. Build Zambia's Digital Future.
Smart Tower Monitoring & Infrastructure Intelligence Platform
Develop a solution capable of monitoring tower sites, power systems, generators, diesel levels, security devices, environmental sensors, tenancy ratios, uptime reporting, and operational performance.
Commercial Operations Automation & B2B CRM Intelligence Platform
Develop a solution capable of improving customer relationship management, account-based marketing, contract management, customer intelligence, pipeline visibility, forecasting, cross-selling, upselling, and vertical sales indexing.
Brand, Communications & Market Intelligence Automation Platform
Develop a solution capable of integrating social media analytics, social listening, customer feedback, sentiment monitoring, campaign performance reporting, market intelligence, and AI-driven insights.
Information Technology Service Management (ITSM)
Develop a web and mobile solution for delivering, supporting, and improving IT services through service requests, incident management, change management, problem management, and AI-assisted service delivery.
Who Can Participate?
Software Developers
Startups
University Students
Data Scientists
UI/UX Designers
ICT Professionals
Technology Entrepreneurs
Innovation Teams
Deliverables
Working Prototype, MVP, or Functional Demonstration
Presentation Deck
Technical Architecture OverviewPowerPoint-only submissions will not be accepted.
Commercialisation Overview
Solution Concept Note
Grading Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on innovation, relevance, technical quality,
business potential, scalability, and presentation strength.
20%
Innovation & Creativity
How original, creative, and
forward-thinking the solution is.
20%
Relevance to Challenge
How well the solution addresses the selected challenge and the real problem.
20%
Functionality & Technical Feasibility
How well the prototype works and whether the solution can realistically be implemented.
15%
Commercialization Potential
The possibility of turning the solution into a usable, marketable, or revenue generating product.
15%
Scalability & Sustainability
How easily the solution can grow, support more users, and remain useful over time.
10%
Presentation & Demo Quality
How clearly the team explains, demonstrates, and communicates the value of the solution.
Win Cash Prizes and Incubation Opportunities
2nd Place
K10,000
1st Place
K15,000
For the most innovative, practical,
and impactful solution.
3nd Place
K5,000
For a promising solution with
strong potential for growth.
1st Place
K15,000
For the most innovative, practical,
and impactful solution.
2nd Place
K10,000
3nd Place
K5,000
For a promising solution with
strong potential for growth.
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Additional Benefits
Top performing solutions may be selected into the six-month INFRATEL iHub Incubation Programme.
COUNTDOWN TO HACKATHON APPLICATION CLOSURE
Applications for the INFRATEL – UNZA iHub Hackathon 2026 are currently open. Submit your application before the deadline and secure your chance to participate in building Zambia’s next digital solutions.
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Hour(s)
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Hackathon Timeline
Official Launch
17 June 2026
Innovation Sprint
17–29 June 2026
Submission Deadline
5 July 2026
Demo Day & Awards
17 July 2026
