Ethiopia has launched a national artificial intelligence-focused hospitality hackathon aimed at developing technology solutions for the tourism sector.
The Hospitality Hackathon 2026, organised by Kuriftu Resorts in partnership with ALX Ethiopia and WeVenture, is a two-stage programme designed to bring together developers, entrepreneurs and early-career technology professionals to address operational challenges in hospitality.
The initiative will take place across two venues in Addis Ababa, with sessions scheduled on April 4 at the ALX Tech Hub and on April 18 at Kuriftu African Village. Participants are tasked with building deployable artificial intelligence prototypes aimed at improving guest services, resort operations and revenue generation.
Organisers said the programme extends beyond a traditional hackathon format, incorporating pre-event training workshops and a structured registration process. Winning teams will enter a three-month incubation programme led by WeVenture, offering mentorship and development support to bring solutions to market.
The top team will receive ETB150,000 ($2,600) in prize funding alongside incubation opportunities. Discussions are also under way with OpenAI to provide technical support and mentorship for participants.
The hackathon forms part of broader efforts to integrate technology into Africa’s tourism sector, as the industry continues to expand. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that tourism contributed more than $168bn to Africa’s economy in 2024, accounting for 6.8% of GDP and supporting over 24mn jobs.
By focusing on artificial intelligence applications in hospitality, the initiative seeks to position Ethiopia as a hub for tourism innovation while creating pathways for young talent to engage with the sector.