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Accra, Ghana— Team Nigeria has emerged winner of the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 held in Accra, Ghana, securing the $10,000 grand prize after four years of persistence, innovation, and determination.

The victory marked a major highlight of the four-day regional competition organised by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA), which brought together some of West Africa’s brightest cybersecurity talents, ethical hackers, software developers, and digital innovators under the theme: “Regional Collaboration through Technology: Building a Digitally Resilient West Africa, Together.”

This year’s Hackathon hosted participants from 12 West African countries including Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo.

Over an intense 48-hour challenge, teams developed innovative cybersecurity solutions focused on tackling real-world threats including ransomware attacks, phishing, online fraud, digital extortion, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Cheers and excitement filled the auditorium during the closing ceremony as Team Nigeria, competing under the name Error, was announced overall winner of the competition. The team — comprising Ige Adekunle, Mark Uchechukwu, Ezekiel-Inyele Victor, and Olawale Abdulrasheed — impressed judges with their technical ingenuity, collaboration, and problem-solving capabilities throughout the Hackathon.

For Team Nigeria, the victory represented the culmination of four years of continuous participation and commitment to the ECOWAS cybersecurity initiative, underscoring the value of resilience, consistency, and innovation.

Benin’s Escadron team emerged as first runner-up, while Togo’s RedTeam TG secured second runner-up position following outstanding performances during the competition.

Beyond the competition itself, the Hackathon also spotlighted the growing role of women in cybersecurity across West Africa. Codjia Fifamè of Benin’s Escadron team, Badom Grace of Liberia’s Cyber Warriors, and Guylaine Marie of Côte d’Ivoire’s Back2Root team were recognised as outstanding female participants for their exceptional contributions and achievements during the event.

Delivering his closing remarks on Thursday, Director-General of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, Mr Divine Selase Agbeti, praised participants for their professionalism, technical excellence, and collaborative spirit throughout the Hackathon.

“Over the past four days, we have witnessed the very best of West Africa’s innovation, talent, and collaborative spirit,” he stated.

Mr Agbeti noted that the Hackathon had reaffirmed that cybersecurity is not solely about technology but fundamentally about people — young innovators, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity professionals committed to solving real-world challenges responsibly.

“The solutions conceived during this competition testify to the creativity and ingenuity that thrive within our region,” he added. “West Africa has the talent needed to secure its own digital future.”

He encouraged participants to continue building partnerships across borders and to sustain the momentum generated in Accra to deepen regional cybersecurity cooperation and nurture the next generation of innovators within the ECOWAS region.

The Director-General also expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for selecting Ghana to host the event and commended technical partner DoubleOSec, sponsors, judges, media partners, and the team at the Cyber Security Authority for contributing to the success of the Hackathon.

Hosting the event further reinforces Ghana’s growing role in advancing cybersecurity cooperation, digital resilience, and innovation across West Africa at a time when cyber threats continue to rise across the continent amid accelerated digital transformation.