Debswana Claims Runner-Up Spot at SAP Africa AI Hackathon

Debswana Claims Runner-Up Spot at SAP Africa AI HHackathon. Debswana has secured second place at the SAP Africa Agentic AI Hackathon after developing an artificial intelligence solution designed to improve procurement efficiency and contract compliance.

The mining company’s team developed the Contract-PO Validator, an AI-driven tool that reconciles contract values between Ariba and SAP S/4HANA. The solution aims to improve accuracy, strengthen spending oversight and support compliance monitoring.

According to Debswana, the team finished just one point behind the top-performing teams in the competition. Judges praised the participants for their collaboration, innovation and efforts to provide younger professionals with practical experience in emerging artificial intelligence technologies.

The team comprised Kabo Otsetswe, Wetsho Tobedza, Helman Tsheboyagale, Segomotsi Isaac, Gomolemo Kauhuena, Gosaitse Slender, Lame Seitlhamo and Boitshepo Chabane.

The achievement highlights the application of artificial intelligence to business processes, particularly procurement and contract management, where discrepancies between contractual agreements and purchase orders can affect financial oversight and compliance.

By developing a tool to reconcile contract values across the two enterprise systems, the team focused on addressing a specific operational requirement. The solution is intended to help improve the accuracy of contract-related information and provide greater oversight of spending.

Debswana also linked the team’s performance to skills developed through the SAP Young Professional Program, which provided a foundation for participants to apply their knowledge to a practical technology challenge.

The result marks a milestone for the company’s Digital Skills Programme, reinforcing its focus on developing digital capabilities and exploring technology-driven business solutions.

The hackathon provided an opportunity for participants to demonstrate how AI can be applied to business challenges while gaining hands-on experience in developing solutions.