Absa Bank Kenya, in partnership with GirlCode, has officially launched a 30-hour Women-in-Tech Hackathon, bringing together 112 talented young women aged between 18 and 35 to develop groundbreaking 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 is taking place on October 11–12, 2025, at Absa’s headquarters in Westlands. The event is part of a broader pan-African initiative running concurrently across seven cities in five countries—Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Kampala, Gaborone, and Dar es Salaam—with a continental grand prize of USD 5,500 up for grabs.
The competition challenges participants to create AI-enabled, digital-first financial solutions aligned with Kenya’s national innovation priorities, including youth empowerment, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and economic resilience. Teams are expected to build solutions that enhance access to financial services for young people, use AI to drive personalization and automation, and integrate robust cybersecurity features to ensure data privacy and fraud prevention. The innovation scope spans mobile applications, USSD platforms, chatbots, and web-based systems, reflecting the evolving landscape of financial technology in Africa.
Julius Kamau, Chief Operating and Digital Officer at Absa Bank Kenya, highlighted that the hackathon is part of the bank’s broader vision to promote inclusivity and empower women in the tech industry. “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,” he said during the launch.
GirlCode CEO and Founder, Zandile Mkwanazi, emphasized that the collaboration reflects their mission to close the gender gap in technology and inspire a new generation of female innovators. She noted that the initiative provides an opportunity for young women to participate in real-world challenges that build both 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,” she stated.
This year’s hackathon has attracted over 450 participants across Africa, a significant increase from 280 in 2024, signaling the growing momentum of women-driven innovation on the continent. The Nairobi judging panel features notable industry leaders including 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 Bank Kenya’s ongoing commitment to driving gender inclusion, fostering digital talent, and strengthening Africa’s position as a hub of fintech innovation.
