NG44 Hub held its first hackathon in Lagos on 4 April 2026, challenging young developers to build AI tools that help local NGOs deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. EpiSitRep AI took first prize with a tool that drafts outbreak situation reports in minutes.
Twenty-six participants took part in a single-day build sprint, working in five teams and as eight individual builders. The group was 46% female and the average age was 22.
Real problems from local NGOs
Four Lagos-based NGOs shared the challenges they face every day in health and education as well as clean water and livelihoods. Each challenge was linked to a Sustainable Development Goal, giving participants a clear purpose and a real user to design for.
Teams had twelve hours to move from idea to working demo. Hub mentors moved between tables to help with scoping and final presentations.
The winner: EpiSitRep AI
EpiSitRep AI addresses a problem that public health NGOs know well. During an outbreak, response teams spend hours writing situation reports for partners and health authorities. EpiSitRep AI turns case data and a short context form into a complete, formatted report that follows WHO and CDC structures.
The NGOs brought real problems and the participants took them seriously. EpiSitRep AI solves a pain point that response teams feel every single week.Hub Lead, NG44 Technology and Innovation Hub
From prototype to product
Since the hackathon, the EpiSitRep AI team has continued to develop the tool with support from the hub. It is now live with a free tier and has become a reference implementation of the DatAfri Protocol.
