Zimbabwe Celebrates Youth-Led Innovation at Lithium Value Chain Hackathon Awards

In a significant push to harness technology and youth talent for economic transformation, the winners of the landmark Lithium Value Chain Hackathon 2025 were celebrated this morning at a high-profile awards ceremony in Harare. The event, a cornerstone of the national AI and Innovation Week, underscores Zimbabwe's ambition to become a leader in the global green minerals market through digital innovation and inclusive growth.

The breakfast meeting, held under the theme *“Innovation Awards — MineTech Challenge & Lithium Hackathon,”* took place at Zimbali Gardens and was attended by senior government officials, UN representatives, and industry leaders. The ceremony recognized the most promising tech-driven solutions developed by young Zimbabwean innovators to address critical challenges within the country's burgeoning lithium sector.

The hackathon itself took place yesterday, 26 November, at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), where a diverse group of innovators, youth, startups, researchers, and engineers pitched their ideas. The initiative is hosted by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe.

**Driving a High-Impact Innovation Agenda**

The hackathon was launched against the backdrop of Zimbabwe's strategic goal to advance a "high-impact innovation agenda." As the country experiences increased investment in new lithium mines and rising global demand, it aims to move beyond raw mineral extraction and develop robust local beneficiation and value-added industries.

The competition sought to co-create community-driven solutions for persistent gaps in the lithium value chain. These include limited local beneficiation, environmental concerns in extraction and processing, ineffective ESG compliance frameworks, and the limited participation of youth, MSMEs, and local communities. The hackathon also focused on opportunities in the circular economy, battery innovation, and digitally enabled systems for data monitoring and certification.

A dynamic overview of the hackathon's journey, from the initial bootcamp to the final pitches, was showcased in a video presentation. The energy and potential of the event were further captured in a social media clip, viewable on FinTech Review Africa’s Facebook page, which highlights the intense collaboration and innovative spirit of the participants.

High-Level Endorsement and Celebration of Winners

The awards ceremony was graced by high-level remarks that reinforced the government's commitment to fostering innovation.

Dr. Ayodele Odusola, UNDP Resident Representative, delivered welcome remarks, followed by an opening address from H.E. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident Coordinator. They were joined by a panel of distinguished guests, including the Honourable Minister T. Mavetera (Minister of ICT), Honourable Minister T. Machakaire (Minister of Youth), and Honourable Deputy Minister C. Makwiranzou (Deputy Minister of Mines).

Ruvimbo Violet Katiyo, UNDP Head of Exploration, presented a recap of the hackathon process, which included a short presentation from one of the finalist teams, giving the audience a live glimpse into the potential of the solutions on offer.

Before the winners were announced, Mr. Stewart Munesu Gumble, a Mine Surveyor and President of the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe, provided remarks on behalf of the judging panel, commending the high quality and practicality of the entries.

The climactic Winners Announcement & Awards Ceremony was presided over by the assembled ministers and partners, including Ms. Simbiso Musa, CBZ Group Head of Strategy and Transformation. The winning teams are set to receive milestone-based seed funding to further develop and scale their solutions, providing crucial early-stage support for their ventures.

Aligning with National Strategy for a Sustainable Future

The Lithium Value Chain Hackathon 2025 is more than a competition; it is a strategic national platform designed to align the outputs of Zimbabwe's vibrant youth and tech ecosystem with the country's National AI Strategy and its broader industrial policy.

By focusing on a critical mineral like lithium, which is essential for the global transition to clean energy through its use in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage, Zimbabwe is positioning itself at the forefront of the green technological revolution. The event demonstrates a clear understanding that future economic competitiveness depends not only on mineral wealth but also on the ability to innovate, add value locally, and ensure that growth is both sustainable and inclusive.

The successful conclusion of the hackathon and this morning’s awards mark a pivotal step in building a homegrown innovation culture that directly contributes to solving real-world industrial challenges and securing Zimbabwe’s place in the high-value global lithium market.