African National Statistical Offices (NSOs) face growing pressure to modernise statistical production, respond to emerging information needs and make greater use of new data sources, digital technologies and data science. Yet, adopting new approaches requires more than access to technology; it also depends on developing staff capabilities, encouraging experimentation and creating opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and institutions. Hackathons offer a practical mechanism for bringing these elements together by challenging participants to apply their knowledge to real-world problems within a limited period. However, the extent to which such events translate into lasting value for official statistics remains an important question. This paper examines the potential of hackathons to catalyse innovation, talent development and collaboration within African official statistical systems, drawing on the experience of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the 2024 INSEE hackathon, African Agriculture’s Exposure to Climate Change. The event brought together African statistical teams to explore how data and analytical methods could improve understanding of climate change and its implications for agriculture. NBS emerged as a co-winner, demonstrating the potential of African statistical institutions to develop innovative, data-driven responses to development challenges. Beyond the immediate competition, the experience provides a useful basis for examining how hackathons can expose statisticians to new methods, strengthen interdisciplinary problem-solving and encourage the exploration of alternative data sources and analytical approaches. The paper also considers the conditions under which these benefits can extend beyond a time-bound event. It argues that hackathons are best understood as catalysts rather than standalone solutions to institutional innovation. Their longer-term value depends on leadership support, access to appropriate data and infrastructure, opportunities to apply newly acquired skills, and mechanisms for transferring lessons into routine statistical work. By examining both the opportunities and limitations of hackathons, the paper highlights their potential to strengthen the capacity of African NSOs to innovate, develop talent and collaborate in producing statistics that are more responsive to evolving public needs.
