Kenyan operator Safaricom has announced the Kipokezi Apps Challenge competition for app developers. Run in conjunction with mobile messaging technology provider ForgetMeNot Africa and the Nairobi-based iHUB developer community, the competition is for network-level mobile apps and games that are relevant to users in Kenya.

Developers can use any programming language but need to use ForgetMeNot Africa's Optimiser Platform, which supports internet-free Facebook, email and online chat through two-way SMS and USSD (unstructured supplementary service data) connections. Entrants also require free White Membership of iHhub and must hold a Safaricom SIM card.

The developers with the best ideas will be invited to a training session and hackathon in April, where they will receive advice from the three organisations behind the contest.

The winning developers will receive seed capital and an iPad and will also have the chance for their app to be launched to Safaricom’s 15 million subscribers, which could lead to significant revenue.