The University for Development Studies (UDS), through its School of Business, in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), has announced a call for applications for the Northern Ghana Innovation Hackathon 2026, scheduled for 3–5 December 2026 at the UDS Campus in Tamale.
Organised under the European Union-funded EU–Ghana Pact for Skills, the three-day hackathon will bring together innovative students from tertiary institutions across Ghana to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges identified by industry partners.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs by equipping students with digital, green, entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills while creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and employment.
Participants will compete across three thematic areas:
Applications are open to students at all levels of accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana, who may apply individually or as teams. Priority will be given to applicants from the five northern regions, while female students are strongly encouraged to participate. Existing teams should have at least 40% female membership.
Participation is completely free. Selected participants will benefit from a pre-hackathon online skills bootcamp, mentorship from industry professionals, and support for travel, accommodation and meals. Outstanding teams will also have opportunities to access further mentoring, incubation, internships and industry placements.
Beyond the competition, the hackathon is designed to strengthen university-industry collaboration and support the development of innovative solutions with the potential to address pressing development challenges in Northern Ghana.
Application and Deadline
The application period runs from 26 October to 16 November 2026.
Interested students are encouraged to submit their applications through the official online application form:
APPLY HERE: NORTHERN GHANA INNOVATION HACKATHON 2026
The University for Development Studies encourages students with innovative ideas, creativity and a passion for solving societal challenges to seize this opportunity to turn their ideas into practical solutions.
The programme is funded by the European Union under the EU–Ghana Pact for Skills and implemented by UNCDF in partnership with the University for Development Studies
The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences (FOAFCS), located at the Nyankpala Campus, is the premier faculty of the University for Development Studies (UDS), having begun in 1993 as the Faculty of Agriculture.
