✅
In a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s creative sector, CRAFTPAY, an innovative tech project, has captured national attention as one of the key contenders in the Codefest NIG HACK ’25—a Guinness World Record-attempting hackathon themed “Build for Nigeria.”
The project is redefining how local artisans connect with the world by developing a digital marketplace for Nigerian crafts—bridging the gap between traditional artistry and modern technology.
“Our artisans hold the soul of Nigeria’s culture in their hands,” said the CRAFTPAY team lead. “CRAFTPAY connects tradition with technology, giving every craftsperson the power to sell globally while preserving our cultural identity.”
Digitizing Tradition: From Local Craft to Global Commerce
CRAFTPAY’s platform will serve as a digital hub for artisans, allowing them to showcase and sell handmade products—from pottery and woven baskets to beadwork and carvings—to a worldwide audience.
Each product will feature a digital heritage card, narrating its origin, the artisan’s story, and the cultural meaning behind the design—turning every sale into a journey through Nigerian heritage.
By doing so, CRAFTPAY hopes to reframe local crafts not as low-value souvenirs but as premium export goods that carry cultural and artistic significance.
The Competition: Building for Nigeria’s Future
Codefest NIG HACK ’25, powered by Codefest Africa and supported by HackTribe, has drawn over 5,000 participants from across the continent, all competing for a share of the ₦5,000,000 prize pool.
The voting period runs from October 8th to 30th, 2025, and supporters can vote for CRAFTPAY at ₦100 per vote through Globus Bank (Account name: Codefest Nigeria Hackathon, Account number: 0068548905).
The much-anticipated Expo Day is set for November 20th, 2025, where the most innovative projects will be showcased.
“The goal of this year’s hackathon is to inspire solutions that have both local relevance and global potential,” said a Codefest Africa spokesperson. “CRAFTPAY embodies this vision perfectly.”
Economic Impact: Empowerment Through Innovation
Experts believe CRAFTPAY could have a transformative impact on Nigeria’s creative and informal economies. By digitizing the craft trade, it could enable artisans to access new customers, improve pricing transparency, and formalize the craft sector—contributing directly to Nigeria’s non-oil GDP.
Dr. Amaka Nwosu, a creative economy analyst, emphasized:
“CRAFTPAY can help artisans evolve from small-scale vendors into global entrepreneurs. It doesn’t just sell art—it sells stories, identity, and heritage. This is how nations turn culture into capital.”
With Nigeria’s growing creative economy estimated at billions of naira annually, digital platforms like CRAFTPAY could also boost export revenues by connecting local crafts to global buyers in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Cultural Renaissance: Preserving Heritage in the Digital Age
Beyond the economic promise, CRAFTPAY stands as a cultural preservation tool. Many traditional techniques—pottery, weaving, leatherwork—are at risk of extinction as younger generations move toward urban industries.
By digitizing the craft market, CRAFTPAY ensures these ancient skills are not lost but reimagined for modern audiences.
A local artisan from Abuja shared their excitement:
“I’ve been making pottery using my grandmother’s methods for years. With CRAFTPAY, her legacy can reach people far beyond my community. That’s powerful.”
A Model for Africa’s Creative Future
CRAFTPAY is more than a competition entry—it’s a blueprint for how Africa can blend culture and technology to build inclusive economies. The project reflects a broader movement to empower local creators and ensure that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier, between tradition and progress.
“When we build technology that uplifts culture,” the CRAFTPAY team lead said, “we build a future that Nigeria—and the world—can be proud of.”
Event Snapshot
- 🏆 Event: Codefest NIG HACK ’25 (Official Guinness World Record Attempt)
- 🎯 Theme: Build for Nigeria
- 🗓️ Voting Period: 8th – 30th October 2025
- 🎤 Expo Date: 20th November 2025
- 💰 Prize Pool: ₦5,000,000
- 👥 Participants: 5,000+ innovators
- 🤝 Partners: HackTribe, Codefest Africa
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a hub for African innovation, projects like CRAFTPAY signal a new digital renaissance—one where tradition, art, and technology converge to create lasting socio-economic impact.
If successful, CRAFTPAY will not only redefine the nation’s creative economy but also stand as a cultural ambassador, carrying Nigeria’s artistry to the global stage and ensuring that every handmade craft tells a story the world will never forget.
