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Innovative digital solutions designed by young Sierra Leonean tech developers took center stage as the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation announced the winners of the Big 5 AI and Blockchain Hackathon, an initiative aimed at fostering technology-driven solutions for national development.
After a competitive process involving eight finalist teams, Team Fixam secured the Grand Prize of Le 680,000, while Team NextGen finished as Runner-Up, earning Le 450,000.
Team Fixam impressed judges with an Intelligent WhatsApp Bot designed to simplify how citizens report public issues. The system converts voice messages in both Krio and English into text using advanced speech recognition powered by OpenAI Whisper.
Once a report is received, the AI automatically categorizes complaints, detects urgent cases, and filters duplicate reports within a 100-meter radius, allowing authorities to respond faster and avoid repeated responses to the same problem. Developers say the platform could significantly enhance citizen engagement with public institutions, helping communities report issues such as sanitation concerns, damaged infrastructure, or emergencies.
The runner-up team, NextGen, developed a digital platform called TrustBridge, designed to connect Sierra Leonean professionals with international job opportunities.
The platform features an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), an optimized CV builder, and a smart job-matching engine that aligns candidates with suitable roles in global markets. To ensure transparency and secure verification of professional credentials, the system integrates blockchain technology via Solana. Developers note that TrustBridge could also enable diaspora investors to support local talent while maintaining transparent records of investments and qualifications.
Officials from the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation commended the creativity demonstrated by all participating teams. They announced that all eight finalist groups will receive mentorship and technical support to refine their ideas and transform them into fully operational platforms that can contribute to the country’s development priorities.
The hackathon highlighted the expanding capacity of Sierra Leone’s tech community to develop solutions tailored to local challenges. Government representatives emphasized that initiatives like this are intended to encourage innovation, strengthen digital skills, and position technology as a key driver of national progress.
The event concluded with congratulations to the winning teams and recognition of all participants for contributing ideas that could shape the future of technology-driven services in Sierra Leone.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FhCXLd5uj/
