AfricaVsVirus Challenge
How we built a collaboration platform in under three weeks for one of the largest online hackathons in history
Pioneering Digital Solutions for Africa's COVID-19 Response
AfricaVsVirus was a 72-hour global hackathon hosted by the African Development Bank Group to develop innovative solutions for the coronavirus pandemic in Africa. This event brought together 25,000 participants from diverse backgrounds—coders, analysts, designers, and business strategists—to tackle predefined challenges and create prototypes addressing urgent needs.
The brief: Develop a large-scale collaboration platform in record time
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, WAAT was tasked with designing and developing a platform to manage participant registration, communication, and collaboration for the hackathon in less than three weeks. This included creating a robust digital infrastructure and an effective communication strategy to support the rapid-scale event.
Digital solutions: Out-of-the-box tools and scalable implementation
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Leveraging out-of-the-box tools
To meet the tight deadline, we prioritised using ready-made solutions that required minimal development. This approach ensured quick implementation while delivering a high-quality experience for all participants.
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Streamlined registration process
Utilised Typeform to create a simple registration process, seamlessly integrating it with Airtable to manage participant data, form groups, and present challenges dynamically.
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Automated communication workflow
Employed Mailchimp for email automation, guiding participants through each stage of the hackathon—from registration to final submission—ensuring clarity and consistency in communication.
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Real-time collaboration tools
Integrated Slack to facilitate real-time communication among participants, mentors, and organisers, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation.
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Mentorship matchmaking website
Developed a user-friendly website to connect participants with mentors, enhancing support and knowledge-sharing throughout the hackathon.
Outcome
The AfricaVsVirus Challenge became the second-largest online hackathon in history, with 3,000 ideas generated by 25,000 participants from all 54 African countries. The event produced 750 viable solutions, providing critical insights and innovative approaches to the pandemic response. WAAT’s agile approach and quick execution enabled the entire platform to be delivered in just 2.5 weeks, meeting the client’s urgent needs and helping achieve significant impact.