Absa Bank Kenya, in partnership with GirlCode, has kicked off a 30-hour Women-in-Tech Hackathon that will see 112 young women aged between 18 and 35 compete to build digital solutions shaping the future of Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Themed “Future-Proofing Africa: Innovation at the Intersection of FinTech, Cybersecurity, and AI,” the hackathon begins on October 11–12, 2025, at Absa’s headquarters in Westlands. It forms part of a pan-African initiative running simultaneously across seven cities in five countries, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Kampala, Gaborone, and Dar es Salaam, with a grand continental prize of USD 5,500 up for grabs.
The participants will be tasked with creating AI-enabled, digital-first financial solutions aligned with Kenya’s national innovation priorities: youth empowerment, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and economic resilience. Solutions are expected to improve access to financial services for young people, leverage AI for personalisation and automation, and embed cybersecurity to ensure data protection and fraud prevention across digital platforms, from mobile apps and USSD to web platforms and chatbots.
“We are pleased to see many young women show interest. This is a great sign of the ambition and the growing talent of women in tech spaces. Through this hackathon, we are not only creating inclusive spaces for women to showcase their prowess but also come up with solutions that will have a greater impact on the financial landscape of Kenya and the continent,” Julius Kamau, Chief Operating and Digital Officer, Absa Bank Kenya.
According to GirlCode CEO and Founder Zandile Mkwanazi, the partnership aims to give young women the opportunity to take part in real-world innovation challenges that build technical and entrepreneurial confidence.
“At GirlCode, our mission has been to bridge the gender gap in tech and to equip the next generation of women innovators with the tools to shape Africa’s digital landscape. We are providing a launching pad where these young women can sharpen their skills while contributing meaningfully to the digital economy,” Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO and Founder, GirlCode.
This year’s hackathon attracted over 450 participants across Africa, an increase from 280 participants in 2024. The Nairobi judging panel includes Muthoni Kanyana (CEO, MK-Africa), Lucy Mbuthia (Country Manager, Women in Tech Kenya), Mumbi Kahindo (Chief People Officer, Absa Bank Kenya) and Julius Kamau (Chief Operating and Digital Officer, Absa Bank Kenya).
The initiative underscores Absa’s ongoing efforts to empower women in technology and promote inclusive innovation within Africa’s fast-evolving fintech ecosystem.
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Also Read: Absa and GirlCode Launch 2025 Hackathon to Empower Women in Tech Across Africa
