TEXPO 25: Getting Africa’s Young Minds to Tackle Creative Sector Challenges

The TEXPO Hackathon is bringing together developers and creatives to tackle what they believe to be some of the most pressing challenges in the African creative sector.

Participants are working oncool projects which would have a tangible impact: imagine a system that helps DJs read the crowd in real-time, or technology that captures the movements of musicians playing instruments like the mbira, ensuring these traditions are passed on to future generations.

The hackathon also addresses economic disparities, with one project focused on creating a system to track music airplay and secure fair royalties for artists.

The whole hackathon seeks to show importance of technology in supporting and strengthening Africa’s creative industries.

ZIMBABWE ACADEMY OF MUSIC, BULAWAYO  |  21- 25 APRIL 2025

In a world where innovation shapes our tomorrow, we are thrilled to invite you to TEXPO 25, where we dare to ask “What IF…” as we ideate, create and elevate. This event creates a unique intersection between tomorrow’s innovators – young minds aged 13-21 – and the corporate pioneers who are driving technological advancement today.

Our Theme for 2025

TEXPO 25 is more than just an exhibition – it’s a strategic platform where future talent meets industry leadership. Under our banner of “Ideate. Create. Elevate.”, we’re nurturing an environment where young imaginations can connect with corporate innovation, where fresh perspectives meet real-world challenges, and where the workforce of tomorrow begins to take shape today.

Tech Enthusiasts: An Opportunity to Solve Real Problems

To our young participants: TEXPO 25 is your gateway to understanding how your interests in technology could transform into groundbreaking careers. Here, you’ll interact directly with industry leaders, explore real-world applications of technology, and glimpse your potential future in the tech sector.

Here are the challenges:

1. CrowdBeats

DJing with the Pulse of the Party

Background:

Meet Tafadzwa “TaffyBeatz” Chikosha, a rising DJ in Harare’s nightlife scene. He prides himself on keeping the crowd energized, but there’s one problem—every event is different, and reading the room is an art, not a science. Some partygoers vibe to Afrobeats, others love Amapiano, while a few crave nostalgic 90s hits. When requests start pouring in, managing them disrupts his flow. TaffyBeatz needs a real-time, tech-driven solution to understand what the crowd wants, as the party unfolds.

The Challenge:

Design a low-cost, Raspberry Pi-based solution that can:

1. Sense & Analyze – Capture crowd energy levels using audio feedback (cheers, claps, movement) and optional mobile song suggestions.
2. Generate Real-time Insights – Use sentiment analysis or mood indicators to detect audience preferences (e.g., excitement levels rising/falling).
3. Adapt & Curate – Create dynamic set recommendations based on live crowd input, ensuring seamless transitions.
4. Simplify Requests – Offer a frictionless way for attendees to suggest songs without overwhelming the DJ.

Constraints:

• Use Raspberry Pi 4, Pico, and affordable sensors (e.g., microphones, accelerometers).
• Must work offline with minimal internet reliance.
• Keep the interface DJ-friendly and intuitive.

Bonus:

How might your solution provide visual feedback to the DJ on what’s working (heat maps, live dashboards)?

Let’s revolutionize DJing and make every party unforgettable! 

2. Echoes of Africa

Capturing the Rhythm for Generations

Background:

For centuries, authentic African music—from the hypnotic melodies of the mbira in Zimbabwe to the resonant harmonies of the marimba and the rhythmic pulse of djembe drums—has been passed down through oral tradition. But in the digital age, this rich musical heritage faces a challenge: how do we preserve, notate, and teach these rhythms so they thrive for generations?

Sekuru Mandebvu, a master mbira player from Harare, fears that as elder musicians pass on, their unique compositions and playing techniques will be lost forever. Meanwhile, artists worldwide are eager to learn and collaborate but lack access to structured training and authentic notation.

The Challenge:

Design a low-cost, Raspberry Pi-based motion capture system that can:

1. Track & Digitize – Capture hand and finger movements of musicians playing African instruments using motion sensors, IMUs, or cameras.

Constraints:

• Use Raspberry Pi 4, Pico, and affordable motion sensors or camera-based tracking.
• Ensure offline capability to allow musicians in remote areas to record their music.
• Support multiple instruments, from mbira and marimba to drums and balafon.

Bonus:

How might your solution allow real-time collaboration, letting musicians from across the world play together virtually?

Let’s keep Africa’s music alive—one note, one rhythm, one tradition at a time!

3. MoCap4All

Affordable Motion Capture for African Filmmakers

Background:

Kwame “K-Dynamics” Ndlovu is a visionary African filmmaker passionate about bringing high-energy action scenes, stunning VFX, and lifelike animations to the screen. However, professional motion capture rigs cost thousands of dollars—far beyond his budget. Without motion capture, his CGI characters move stiffly, and realistic action sequences require expensive post-production work.

Kwame also runs a weekend film training program for young, aspiring filmmakers in Bulawayo. If he had an affordable, DIY motion capture system, he could teach next-generation creatives how to bring their digital worlds to life.

The Challenge:

Design a low-cost, Raspberry Pi-based motion capture system that can:

1. Track Movement – Capture body and limb movements using low-cost IMUs (inertial measurement units), cameras, or DIY sensor arrays.
2. Process & Visualize – Convert raw movement data into real-time 3D animation or motion capture files that can be used in Blender or other animation software.
3. Stay Accessible – Be affordable, easy to set up, and suitable for both professional filmmaking and student training sessions.

Constraints:

• Use Raspberry Pi 4, Pico, and cost-effective motion sensors.
• Ensure offline functionality for filmmakers in areas with unreliable internet.
• Keep it modular and expandable for future enhancements.

Bonus:

How might your solution allow multiple actors to be captured at once for dynamic group scenes?

Let’s democratize motion capture for African storytellers!

4. TuneTrack

Background:

In Zimbabwe’s vibrant music industry, artists like Tendai “TeeJay” Nyandoro and Ruvimbo “RuviBeats” Moyo struggle to receive fair royalties for their work. FM stations, online streaming platforms, and bars play their songs, but without an automated tracking system, these artists lack proof of airplay. Royalties are lost, disputes arise, and many broadcasters underreport usage, either unintentionally or deliberately.

The Challenge:

Design a low-cost, Raspberry Pi-based solution that can:

1. Listen & Recognize – Capture and identify songs playing on FM radio and online streams using audio fingerprinting.
2. Timestamp & Log – Record the date, time, station, and frequency each time a song plays.
3. Automate Reporting – Generate a quarterly statement of airplay and send it to the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) and respective stations.

Constraints:

• Use Raspberry Pi 4, Pico, and other affordable components.
• Work in environments with low internet connectivity and still store offline logs.
• Ensure tamper-proof and auditable data logging.

Bonus:

How might your solution notify artists in real-time when their song is played?

Let’s hack for fairness in music royalties!

theCREATIVEeconomy

Do note that the event “theCREATIVEeconomy” goes beyond just the Hackathon. There will be an Expo, Gaming Pit and a Literary Space too.

Activities will include; book launch, film premiere, prize giving, panel discussions and battle of the DJs as the event flyer shows: