NCC Announces Virtual Hackathon to Reward Covid-19 Tech-driven Solutions

NIGERIAN

Communications Commission (NCC) has opened entry for adaptable digital solutions for addressing the impacts of pandemic and epidemic prone-diseases from technology hubs, startups, and innovation digital SMEs in Nigeria. The announcement was made public on its official website.

The commission, aside from being the regulator of the country’s telecommunications industry, also supports amongst other things, the development of innovative services and lifechanging solutions, leveraging on Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) to promote indigenous content development, economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria.

“Pursuant to this objective, the commission invites entries from tech hubs, startups and innovation digital SMEs with promising and adaptable digital solutions that will aid in containing the impacts of pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in Nigeria to a virtual Hackathon.

“The top three startups with the most promising digital Solutions will receive a grant of N3 million each from the commission to aid the development and deployment of these solutions in Nigeria,” the NCC said on Tuesday. According to the commission, interested applicants will need to have solutions that address issues in the under fields of interest including:

Health: finding ways to empower Healthcare workers on the front lines and bring support to individuals isolated at home. It should also include solutions to prevent, trace, and contain the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

Community: help with digital communications that will aid the sustenance of economic activities and people to people communication while encouraging social distancing.