Yaoundé, Cameroon, June 2026 — Yango Cameroon, part of a global technology company Yango Group, in partnership with Zindi, Africaʼs largest network of data scientists and AI developers, hosted the Yaoundé Mobility Prediction Hackathon 2026. The event brought together more than 300 participants from universities and technology communities across the country to tackle a shared challenge: predicting taxi travel times in Yaoundé using machine learning.
During the one-day competition participants developed machine learning models using variables such as pick-up and drop-off locations, time of day, and weather conditions to improve the accuracy of travel-time predictions and to explore how data can improve urban mobility systems.
The hackathon generated significant enthusiasm, with 861 machine learning model submissions produced in a single day, representing more than 2,000 cumulative hours of work as participants applied their skills to real-world challenges through technology and collaboration.
The hackathon was Yangoʼs first such initiative in Cameroon and expands a programme already implemented in Ghana, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Côte dʼIvoire, making Cameroon part of a rapidly growing network of African technology communities. The initiative reflects the companyʼs broader commitment to digital skills development, youth empowerment, and innovation across Africa.
Beyond the hackathon, Yango continues to support initiatives that help young Cameroonians access opportunities in the digital economy. Through programs focused on digital skills development, technology access, and STEM education, the company is working to help bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, empowering more young people to build careers and solutions that contribute to Cameroonʼs digital future.For many participants, the hackathon provided an opportunity to apply machine learning skills to a real-world mobility challenge, work with operational datasets, and collaborate with peers from different backgrounds.
“Yangoʼs services are built on cutting-edge technologies, and behind them are people who are passionate about solving real problems through data and innovation. We are delighted to share this knowledge with students and young professionals in Cameroon because we believe technological skills can create real opportunities and help solve everyday challenges. We believe local talent will play a major role in shaping the future of innovation in Cameroon,” said Dr. Clovis Pilla, General Manager of Yango Cameroon.
“We are proud of and grateful for our long-standing partnership with Yango to bring AI hackathons to students across Africa. This collaboration has enabled thousands of students across the continent to engage with data science and machine learning in new ways and contribute their expertise to improving their communities. Congratulations to all the winners, as well as the more than 300 participants, many of whom built an AI model for the first time during this hackathon,” said Celina Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Zindi.
The competition concluded by recognizing the highest-performing participants, whose projects demonstrated strong potential to address mobility challenges through predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
Final standings:
● 1st Place: ZE II Jonathan Patrick & BIYEKOA DJINGUI Irénée – Équipe Vainqueur
● 2nd Place: VANA ZOKOM Elie
● 3rd Place: WANCHI YEN Lucia & NYONG NKWAIN Godwill
For the first-place winners, ZE II Jonathan Patrick and BIYEKOA DJINGUI Irénée, both computer science students and teammates on Équipe Vainqueur, the hackathon was far more than a competition—it was an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting.
“We participated because we wanted to challenge ourselves, apply our skills to a real-world problem, and learn from others who are passionate about data and AI solutions. Working with real datasets helped us better understand how technology can be used to solve the challenges people face every day. This experience motivated us to continue learning and strengthening our skills so that we can contribute to sustainable technology solutions in Cameroon.”
The initiative also helped promote more inclusive participation in technology through a pre-event introductory workshop and broader outreach efforts, reflecting the growing diversity and potential of Cameroonʼs data science ecosystem and positioning Yango not only as a mobility services provider but also as a long-term technology partner supporting innovation, knowledge sharing, and digital talent development across Africa.
