Nigeria has been crowned champion of the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026, taking home the coveted $10,000 grand prize after delivering an innovative cybersecurity solution that impressed judges with its technical excellence, creativity, and practical relevance.
The four-day regional competition, organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in partnership with Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA), brought together some of West Africa’s most talented cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, software developers, and digital innovators to tackle emerging cyber threats confronting the region.
Held under the theme, “Regional Collaboration through Technology: Building a Digitally Resilient West Africa, Together,” the Hackathon attracted participants from 12 ECOWAS Member States: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
During an intense 48-hour challenge, teams worked collaboratively to design and develop solutions to address critical cybersecurity issues, including ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, online fraud, digital extortion, and threats targeting critical national infrastructure.
The competition culminated in a highly anticipated closing ceremony where Nigeria’s team, “Error,” was declared the overall winner. The team, comprising Ige Adekunle, Mark Uchechukwu, Ezekiel-Inyele Victor, and Olawale Abdulrasheed, distinguished itself through a solution that demonstrated innovation, technical sophistication, and strong potential for real-world application.
The victory represents a significant achievement for Nigeria, which has participated in the regional competition for four consecutive years. The win highlights the country’s growing cybersecurity capabilities and underscores the importance of persistence, collaboration, and continuous innovation in the digital age.
Benin’s “Escadron” team secured the first runner-up position, while Togo’s “RedTeam TG” finished as second runner-up after strong performances throughout the competition.
The Hackathon also spotlighted the increasing participation and impact of women in the cybersecurity sector. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, Codjia Fifamè of Benin’s Escadron team, Badom Grace of Liberia’s Cyber Warriors team, and Guylaine Marie of Côte d’Ivoire’s Back2Root team received awards as exceptional female participants.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director-General of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, Divine Selase Agbeti, commended participants for their ingenuity, professionalism, and commitment to regional cooperation.
“Over the past four days, we have witnessed the very best of West Africa’s innovation, talent, and collaborative spirit,” he said.
Mr. Agbeti noted that the Hackathon had demonstrated that cybersecurity is not solely about technology but also about people working together to develop innovative and responsible solutions to complex challenges.
“The solutions developed during this competition are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity that exist within our region. West Africa has the talent and potential required to secure its own digital future,” he stated.
He encouraged participants to maintain the networks and partnerships forged during the competition and continue collaborating to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across the region.
The Director-General also expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for selecting Ghana as host of the event and acknowledged the contributions of technical partner DoubleOSec, sponsors, judges, media partners, and the CSA team for ensuring the successful organisation of the Hackathon.
The successful hosting of the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon further reinforces Ghana’s position as a leading advocate for regional cybersecurity cooperation, digital resilience, and technological innovation, while highlighting the collective determination of ECOWAS Member States to build a safer and more secure digital future for West Africa.
