KeNIC x HOSTAFRICA: Powering Kenya’s Next Generation of Developers

The Hack-A-Milli App-Developer Challenge, hosted by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC), brought together some of Kenya’s brightest student developers to tackle a bold brief: build a mobile-first app to browse, search, and register .KE domains. With KES 1.5 million in prizes and mentorship opportunities on the line, it has become one of the country’s most exciting platforms for innovation.

As partners, HOSTAFRICA proudly supported the initiative by empowering the top three winning teams with locally hosted VPS plans and .co.ke domains ensuring their projects could move beyond the pitch stage and into real-world deployment. “We didn’t just want to clap for the winners. We wanted to empower them,” said Wycliffe Onduu, MD-Kenya. “Hosting ensures these brilliant ideas don’t stay on paper; they can now go live, scale, and be tested in real-world environments. For us, it’s an investment in the future of Kenya’s digital economy.”

Representing HOSTAFRICA on the judging panel, Viona from our Marketing Team was struck by the creativity and resilience of the participants. “The projects were of an impressively high standard,” she shared. “But what stood out was how many students struggled with deployment; the very space where HOSTAFRICA’s infrastructure can make their lives easier. These are the developers who will define the future of web hosting.”

At the Awards Cocktail, our HR Lead, Patricia Okumu, joined in presenting prizes and highlighted how inspiring it was to see the determination of the students at such a pivotal stage in their journeys. The energy in the room reflected the promise of Kenya’s young tech talent and the importance of supporting them.

Looking ahead, Affiliate Manager Joel Lumumba pointed to the opportunities beyond the hackathon, noting how engaging developers through initiatives like HOSTAFRICA’s affiliate program can create pathways for growth, entrepreneurship, and leadership within the digital ecosystem.

Hack-A-Milli was more than just a competition; it was proof of the innovation, drive, and talent shaping Kenya’s digital future. HOSTAFRICA is proud to play a role in strengthening the .KE internet ecosystem by supporting KeNIC and empowering developers with the tools to bring their ideas to life.

At HOSTAFRICA, we believe when developers thrive, the internet thrives and Kenya’s digital future is in very capable hands.