Hackathon Pak 2021
PAK Hackathon 2021: A First Edition Rooted in Innovation, Youth, and Operational Excellence
A digital competition to transform the Port of Kribi and promote a culture of innovation.
A large number of you tuned in live to follow the #Hackathon2021 grand finale! This first edition, themed “Innovation for Operational Excellence”, highlighted young talents striving to transform Cameroon’s port ecosystem through tech and creativity.
The winning teams of this inaugural edition are:
🥇 INNOVATION CLAN
🥈 GEO-AVANTAGE
🥉 TEAM BOLLORE
Thank you to all participating teams — see you at the next edition!
Highlights of the event
Launched on February 13, 2021, the hackathon brought together start-ups, students, and ICT enthusiasts, challenged to deliver digital solutions to port-related issues. Out of 142 applications, 35 semi-finalists were selected, followed by 10 finalists who gathered in Kribi on March 26–27 for the final phase.
The opening day included:
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a guided tour of the Port of Kribi,
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team presentations,
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and project showcases by finalists.
The final stage involved pitching to a jury of maritime and tech experts.
A strategic move for PAK
According to Patrice MELOM, Director General of the Kribi Port Authority:
“The PAK 2021 port hackathon is an opportunity for youth to foster innovation in Cameroon’s port ecosystem.”
The competition focused on key themes:
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port attractiveness,
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reducing unofficial fees,
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improving user experience,
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and enhancing information flow.
The winning solutions will benefit from technical support, incubation, and sponsorship (notably by MTN) for wider deployment — potentially reaching the national port community and improving external trade efficiency.
