Absa Bank Kenya, in partnership with GirlCode, has launched the 2025 GirlCodeHack, a Pan-African women-in-tech hackathon designed to empower 100 young Kenyan women aged 18-35 to address real-world challenges in FinTech, Cybersecurity, and AI. Set for October 11-12, 2025, the 30-hour innovation sprint will leverage Absa’s ReadytoWork platform, a mobile-based initiative focused on equipping youth with digital and employability skills. This year’s event more than doubles the participant target from last year’s hackathon, signaling a bold step toward fostering gender inclusion in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Why it matters: Themed “Future-Proofing Africa: Innovation at the Intersection of FinTech, Cybersecurity, and AI,” the hackathon aims to bridge the gender gap in technology while advancing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education, gender equality, and decent work and economic growth. By creating a platform for young women to develop innovative solutions, Absa and GirlCode are positioning participants to lead in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy. The event will run simultaneously across seven African cities—Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gaborone, offering a grand prize of Kes 725,802 to the winning team.
By the numbers:
– 100 Kenyan women targeted, up from approximately 40 in 2024.
– Over 400 women participated across five African cities last year.
– Teams of 2-4 will compete in a 30-hour coding and innovation marathon.
– Applications close August 8, 2025, via the ReadytoWork App on Android/iOS.
The big picture: The hackathon is part of a broader mission to enhance diversity and inclusion in tech. Absa has prioritized nationwide representation by encouraging participation from women across various Kenyan counties, ensuring the event reflects the country’s diverse talent pool. Experienced industry professionals will mentor teams, providing technical guidance and insights into solving real-world problems. Participants will gain hands-on experience, exposure to Africa’s growing digital landscape, and opportunities to network with tech leaders, potentially opening doors to careers in technology.
What they’re saying:
– “This hackathon is a gateway to opportunity,” said Julius Kamau, Absa Kenya’s Chief Operations and Digital Officer. “By creating inclusive spaces like GirlCodeHack, we’re not only investing in the future of tech but also ensuring young Kenyan women are part of shaping real-world solutions that address local and global challenges.”
– “Our mission is to expose 10 million women and girls to technology by 2030,” said Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO and Founder of GirlCode. “With Absa’s partnership, we’re scaling impact and ensuring more women see themselves not just as coders, but as problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders.”
– “Absa is committed to diversity, inclusion, and youth empowerment in technology,” added Tamu Dutuma, Absa Group’s Head of Strategy and Transformation, emphasizing the bank’s role in fostering equitable opportunities.
Flashback: Last year’s GirlCodeHack, held across five African cities, drew over 400 participants continent-wide. Kenya’s winning team developed a web application that provided accessible, gamified information on sexual and reproductive health, empowering women and girls with critical knowledge. Other standout innovations included a carbon footprint calculator aligned with government environmental caps, a data-driven agriculture platform to boost farming efficiency, AI-powered mental health tools, blockchain-based land registries for secure property transactions, and mobile fraud detection solutions tailored for African SMEs. These projects showcased participants’ technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and deep understanding of local challenges, highlighting the potential of women-led innovation.
What’s next: The 2025 hackathon will challenge participants to develop solutions that intersect FinTech, Cybersecurity, and AI, addressing pressing issues like financial inclusion, digital security, and data-driven decision-making. The event’s structure encourages collaboration, with teams of two to four working under time pressure to prototype viable solutions. Mentors will provide real-time feedback, helping participants refine their ideas and align them with market needs. For many, the hackathon will serve as a launchpad for careers in tech, offering exposure to industry trends and potential employers.
The bottom line: GirlCodeHack is more than a competition, it’s a movement to redefine who gets to innovate in Africa’s tech space. By prioritizing young women, Absa and GirlCode are building a pipeline of diverse talent to drive the continent’s digital transformation. The initiative aligns with global calls for gender equity in STEM, where women remain underrepresented. With mentorship, technical training, and a focus on real-world impact, the hackathon equips participants to become leaders in their fields.
How to join: Women aged 18-35, including university students, recent graduates, and young professionals, are encouraged to apply by August 8, 2025, through the ReadytoWork App, available on Android and iOS. Teams can register in groups of two to four, and no prior coding experience is required, making the event accessible to newcomers and seasoned coders alike.
