AI Hackathon
Build · Days 2–4
Teams of 2–5 build an AI-powered prototype from scratch. Focus areas span ML, generative AI, computer vision, NLP, automation, smart systems and social impact.
No pre-built product · live demo required
event 16–20 November 2026 · KAAF University
Build. Battle. Pitch.
Shaping innovators, problem-solvers & leaders for the future — at Ghana's premier tech festival for tertiary students.
Five days of AI hackathon, robot combat and student startup pitching — organized by SparkLab Africa, hosted at KAAF University.
5
Festival days, Mon–Fri
3
Tracks — build, battle, pitch
2–5
Members per team, one lead
≤5kg
Robot Wars arena class
7
Short steps to register
~10min
Typical time to complete the form
Plan your week
From the AI Hackathon and Robot Wars battles to breakout sessions and the climax pitch on Friday — here's what to expect each day.
See the agenda arrow_forwardThree tracks · one festival
Build · Days 2–4
Teams of 2–5 build an AI-powered prototype from scratch. Focus areas span ML, generative AI, computer vision, NLP, automation, smart systems and social impact.
No pre-built product · live demo required
Battle · Days 2–4
Combat robots, max 5 kg, fitting a 30×30×30 cm box at match start. Remote-controlled, autonomous or hybrid, with mandatory kill switch and technical inspection.
≤5 kg · ≤14.8 V · safety-checked
Pitch · Day 5
Student-led startups pitch against a mapped SDG goal. Working prototype or live product with users, a demo link, and a clear ask: funding, mentorship, partnerships or pilots.
Deck: PDF, max 12 slides
info Combination rule: AI Hackathon and Robot Wars are mutually exclusive (both run Days 2–4). The Innovation Pitch can be combined with either — it is judged on Day 5.
16–20 November 2026 · KAAF University
The portal shows only the sections that apply to your chosen competitions.
Multi-select: AI Hackathon, Robot Wars, Innovation Pitch. The portal disables Robot Wars if you pick the Hackathon (and vice-versa), and only shows the sections that apply to you.
Team name, the institution you compete for (the lead's institution), team size (validated 2–5), and the team lead's full name, email, phone/WhatsApp, programme and year of study.
For every member: name, email + phone, institution and type, programme and level/year, and student ID number — no ID photos needed, physical cards are verified on-site. Emails are auto-checked against existing registrations.
Hackathon: focus areas, track, skills, laptops, equipment. Robot Wars: robot spec, weight, dimensions, battery, safety, inspection. Pitch: project, sector, SDG mapping, problem, impact, demo link, the ask.
Six required confirmations: enrolled students, ID verification, originality & IP rules, code of conduct, photo/video consent, and parental consent upload if any member is under 18.
Travel & accommodation, arrival date, emergency contact, T-shirt sizes, and how you heard about us. You receive a IF26-XXXXXX team code — quote it in all correspondence.
Currently enrolled tertiary students. Every member's student ID is verified at registration on Day 1 — bring the physical ID.
You may combine the Innovation Pitch (Day 5) with either the AI Hackathon or Robot Wars — never both, since they share Days 2–4. The form enforces this.
Yes. Members may study elsewhere, but the team competes for the team lead's institution, and the 2-teams-per-institution cap applies to the lead's institution.
Your robot (already built, in progress, or built on site), your LiPo batteries for safe on-site charging, and a 2-page engineering notebook (recommended — also the tiebreaker). The robot must pass technical inspection on Day 1 or early Day 2.
Registration details, deadlines and any logistics fees are confirmed in your confirmation email after you register. For partnership & sponsorship, contact SparkLab Africa.
Tell us in the logistics step — the form asks whether members travel from outside the host location and whether accommodation is needed.
favorite Partnership
iFESTIVAL '26 brings together tertiary innovators from across the country for five days of building, battling and pitching. For partnership and sponsorship opportunities, reach the SparkLab Africa team directly.
Powered by SparkLab Africa & KECSA.