Under the World Bank–supported Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) w/ Ministry of Agriculture · delivered by Orange Digital Center Liberia
Orange Digital CenterLiberia
AgTech Innovation Hackathon · Monrovia, Liberia

Hack the future of Liberian agriculture

Three days. Multidisciplinary teams. Real challenges from Liberia's agri-food systems. Join young innovators, students and professionals to build tech that helps farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities grow.

Apply to participate Explore the challenges

Applications close Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Checking application status…
3 daysDates TBA
~30 hrsContinuous build sprint
10 teamsMultidisciplinary
20%+Minimum female participation
01 / About

Youth-led innovation for Liberia's rural economy

The AgTech Innovation Hackathon is a catalytic intervention under the World Bank–supported Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), which promotes sustainable economic growth and job creation in Liberia's rural economy — including by integrating digital technologies into agricultural systems.

Co-create real solutions

Work on priority agricultural challenges identified by the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture and technical partners.

Strengthen youth engagement

Bring young Liberians — developers, designers, agronomists and entrepreneurs — into agriculture and digital enterprise.

02 / Problem statements

Pick a problem. Shape a solution.

Teams build solutions to three priority problem statements selected by the Ministry of Agriculture with the World Bank and technical partners. When you apply, you'll rank all three in order of preference, and organisers use your ranking to form balanced teams across all three challenges.

PS1

Digital Farm Records & Quality Management

Help farmers and cooperatives keep simple digital records of production, inputs and quality, so produce can be traced and trusted.

PS2

Inclusive Agricultural e-Advisory Platform

Put timely agronomic and extension advice within reach of every farmer, including women, rural communities and basic-phone users.

PS3

Smart Farming and Automatic Irrigation

Use connected sensors and automated irrigation to help farmers monitor field conditions, use water efficiently and improve crop health.

Full problem briefs are presented at the orientation session on Day 1. Technical content, mentors and judging are led by the World Bank and its partners.

03 / Who can apply

Not just coders. Builders of every kind.

Great agtech needs more than code. Teams are formed to balance technical, design, business and agricultural expertise.

Software developers UI/UX & product designers Data & AI GIS & mapping Agronomists & agri-students Business, marketing & finance Agripreneurs Communications & local languages
20%+

We are committed to at least 20% female participation. Women innovators and female-led teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

To be eligible, you should

  • Be a young Liberian innovator, student or professional, aged 18–30.
  • Be available for all three days, including the overnight build sprint.
  • Be available for a short pre-selection session in the week of 10 November (in person in Monrovia, or online if you live outside Monrovia).
  • Bring a laptop if you have one (tell us if you don't — it won't count against you).
  • Be ready to work in a multidisciplinary team. Everyone applies individually; organisers form balanced teams based on skills and challenge preferences.
  • Care about solving real problems for farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities.

Participant selection is conducted by the World Bank and its partners. Orange Digital Center Liberia manages the application platform and applicant communications.

05 / Timeline

Key dates

Apply before 3 November 2026. The hackathon runs 20–22 November 2026 in Monrovia.

  1. Applications open

    TBA

    Call for applications via this site.

    ODC Liberia

  2. Applications close

    TBA

    Applicant database compiled and shared.

    ODC Liberia

  3. Shortlisting

    TBA

    Applicants shortlisted against the criteria.

    World Bank & partners

  4. Pre-selection session

    TBA

    Short session for shortlisted applicants, in person in Monrovia or online.

    World Bank & partners

  5. Onboarding

    TBA

    Confirmations, logistics and preparation.

    ODC Liberia

  6. Hackathon

    TBA

    Three days of building in Monrovia.

    All partners

  7. Awards

    TBA

    Winning teams announced on Day 3.

    World Bank & partners
06 / Venue · Orange Digital Center Liberia

Built for collaborative tech events

Hacking takes place in ODC's purpose-built innovation facility; opening and closing ceremonies take place in the Orange ICON 16 Hall.

Participants working at computer stations in the ODC Liberia Coding School

ODC Liberia innovation facility

Build sprint · Days 1–3

Accommodates all teams simultaneously in a structured innovation environment.

  • Modular workstations and collaboration walls
  • High-capacity broadband, stress-tested for peak load
  • Backup power systems and on-site technical team
The Orange ICON 16 building on 16th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia

Orange ICON 16 Hall

Opening & closing ceremonies · Pitches

16th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia. Seats over one hundred guests.

  • High-resolution digital board
  • Integrated audio-visual systems
  • Staging for pitch sessions and the award ceremony
A facilitator leading a session with learners at ODC Liberia Young innovators prototyping with laptops and electronics The ODC Liberia Coding School classroom
12,000+beneficiaries reached by ODC Liberia
500+innovation trainings delivered
Multiplenational hackathons across agriculture, climate & e-government
07 / Partners

A partnership for Liberia's agri-food systems

Funding & technical lead

World Bank — RETRAP

  • Funding through RETRAP
  • Technical guidance and participant selection
  • Judging framework
Government partner

Ministry of Agriculture

  • Selection of priority problem statements
  • Sector expertise and policy link
Implementing partner

Orange Digital Center Liberia

  • Outreach and this application platform
  • Venue, connectivity and logistics
  • Event delivery and post-event reporting
Technical partner

GOPA-AFC

  • Technical content and digital agriculture expertise
  • Mentors and coaching
  • Participant selection support
08 / FAQ

Questions, answered

Does it cost anything to apply or participate?

No. There is no fee to apply or take part. Meals and refreshments are provided during the event.

Do I need to be a programmer?

No. Teams are multidisciplinary — we need designers, agriculture specialists, data people and business minds as much as developers.

Can I apply with a team?

No. Everyone applies individually. Organisers form balanced, multidisciplinary teams based on each applicant's skills and challenge preferences, so every team has a mix of technical, design, business and agricultural expertise.

Is there a pre-selection stage?

Yes. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short pre-selection session in the week of 10 November. It can be attended in person in Monrovia or online for applicants living outside Monrovia.

What can I win?

Amazing prizes for the winning teams. Full details will be announced before the hackathon.

I don't have a laptop. Can I still apply?

Yes. Tell us in the form. Not having a laptop does not disqualify you, but it helps us plan equipment.

Do I have to stay overnight?

The build sprint runs continuously for roughly 30 hours, including overnight on Day 2. You must be available for all three days.

I live outside Montserrado. Is travel or accommodation covered?

Travel and accommodation are not covered. Applicants from outside Montserrado will need to arrange their own stay for the three days. ODC Liberia can share information on nearby options if needed.

Will photos or videos be taken?

Yes. Photos and videos will be taken throughout the event for documentation, reporting to the World Bank and partners, and communication. If you prefer not to be featured, please let the organisers know on site.

Who selects participants?

Participant selection is conducted by the World Bank and its partners. ODC Liberia compiles applications and handles all communication with applicants.

How will I hear back?

By email and phone, using the details in your application. Keep your application reference number for any follow-up.

How is my data used?

Your application is stored securely and shared only with the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture and technical partners (including GOPA-AFC) for selection and programme reporting, including anonymised participation statistics.

Ready to build for Liberian agriculture?

The application takes about 8 minutes. Deadline: TBA

Start your application