Empiras Global Academy Announces Telkom as Official Sponsor of AfriHack Connect 2025

Empiras Global Academy, the award-winning EdTech startup, is thrilled to announce Telkom as the main sponsor of AfriHack Connect 2025. Now in its second year, AfriHack Connect is a Pan-African hackathon initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide by bringing together young tech talent to develop innovative solutions for some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges through technology.

This sponsorship exemplifies Telkom’s steadfast commitment to unlocking possibilities for youth through enterprise development and digital empowerment, with a particular focus on supporting female-owned businesses. By backing AfriHack Connect, Telkom is demonstrating its dedication to fostering inclusive growth and enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs, while supporting AfriHack Connect’s mission to enable enterprise growth, cultivate digital skills, and strengthen ecosystems that drive sustainable and meaningful progress across the continent.

AfriHack Connect 2025, presented by the award-winning innovation catalysts Empiras Global, is a two-part intensive forum:

Day 1 - The Corporate Day: An exclusive networking and mentorship session where           seasoned Telkom experts and industry leaders will share tech and AI insights with           high-potential enthusiasts, fostering the growth of future tech enterprises.

Day 2 & 3 - The Hackathon: A dynamic innovation sprint where participants will develop tangible, tech-driven solutions for real-world business and societal problems, promoting collaboration and scalable innovation.

Gugu Ntuli, CEO of Empiras Global commented, "Empiras Global is proud to present AfriHack Connect with Telkom as our Lead Sponsor. Their deep-rooted commitment to tangible digital inclusion and enterprise development makes them the ideal partner for this mission". "Telkom's involvement provides immense value, offering participants not only resources but also direct access to industry expertise and a network dedicated to turning innovative ideas into viable businesses. Together, we are catalysing a new wave of African innovation."

"In a country with high youth employment, our commitment at Telkom is to go beyond providing connectivity, by actively investing in skills development and R&D and enabling ecosystems where talent and technology meet, to create a better future for all," said Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Group Executive for Innovation and Transformation of Telkom Group. "Partnering with Empiras Global on the AfriHack Connect allows us to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators who will define Africa's digital economy and transform industries. We are not just sponsoring an event; we are actively building the pipeline of future enterprises and helping to bridge the digital skills gap, which is central to driving much-needed economic growth and job creation.

The initiative underscores Telkom's strategic focus on creating shared value and driving sustainable digital inclusion, ensuring that the benefits of the technological revolution are accessible to everyone.

The AfriHack Connect event is scheduled to take place on 19 - 21 September in Woodstock, Cape Town. For more information, visit www.empirasglobalacademy.com/afrihack

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About Telkom:

Telkom is a leading telecommunications and information technology (ICT) services provider to businesses and consumers in South Africa and beyond. With a refreshed brand vision, and its continued rich history as a heritage brand, Telkom maintains its commitment to seamlessly connect South Africa’s people to a better life and unlocking possibilities.

About Empiras Global Academy:

Empiras Global Academy is an award-winning high-impact education startup that prepares African students to be globally competitive. Using technology, the company is committed to empowering Africa’s next generation of tech innovators and entrepreneurs through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and cross-sector collaboration.

AfriHack Connect is an initiative aimed at connecting young local, continental, and global tech talent. The event features two main components: the Corporate Day and the Hackathon.​ During the Corporate Day, seasoned professionals engage with young enthusiasts in a relaxed and intimate setting, allowing for meaningful conversations and idea exchange. Following this, the Hackathon is designed to tackle real-world business challenges while promoting collaboration and innovation among participants.