Zandile Mkwanazi
Absa Bank Tanzania in partnership with GirlCode, a South African based non-profit organization aiming to equip girls from underprivileged backgrounds with the skills and resources they need to thrive in the technology industry, have announced the return of the GirlCode Tanzania Hackathon for its second year, following a remarkable milestone in 2025 when the Tanzania team walked away with the Pan-African Grand Prize to the value of $5,000.
The GirlCode Hackathon is part of GirlCode’s wider Pan-African initiative to empower young women with practical technology skills, mentorship, and opportunities to build solutions that respond to real challenges in their communities. The return of the Tanzania edition marks an important step in strengthening the country’s pipeline of female tech talent and building on the success achieved by last year’s participants.
Tanzania’s 2025 win demonstrated the power of investing in young women as innovators, builders, and problem-solvers. Their achievement not only placed Tanzania on the Pan-African GirlCode Hackathon map, but also served as inspiration for more young women across the country to see themselves as part of Africa’s growing digital economy.
“At GirlCode, we are incredibly proud of what the Tanzania team achieved last year,” said Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO of GirlCode. “Winning the Pan-African Grand Prize showed the depth of talent, creativity, and potential that exists among young women in Tanzania. As we return for the second year, our goal is to build on that momentum and give even more young women the opportunity to develop their skills, work in teams, and create technology-driven solutions that can have real impact.”
This year’s hackathon will bring together female students, graduates, aspiring developers, and young innovators to collaborate in teams, receive mentorship, and present their solutions to a panel of judges. Participants will be challenged to think critically, apply their technical skills, and develop innovative ideas that can contribute to the future of work, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
The hackathon also creates an important platform for young women to gain exposure to the technology industry, connect with peers and mentors, and build confidence in their ability to pursue careers and opportunities in tech. For many participants, the experience serves as a stepping stone into internships, employment, entrepreneurship, and continued learning.
Oscar Mwamfwagasi
Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Absa Bank Tanzania’s Chief Operating Officer, Oscar Mwamfwagasi said: “What makes this year's Hackathon especially valuable is the active participation of SME founders, who bring practical business experiences and real-world challenges into the programme. Their involvement enriches the learning journey for participants while opening doors for startups to showcase their ideas, receive guidance from industry experts, and build connections that can accelerate their growth. Initiatives like this are essential in fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating a more inclusive digital ecosystem that supports Africa's continued development."
As the GirlCode Hackathon continues to grow across Africa, Tanzania’s story stands out as a powerful example of what becomes possible when young women are given access to the right platforms, resources, and networks. The 2025 Pan-African win has set a strong foundation, and this year’s edition aims to inspire the next generation of Tanzanian women in technology to go even further.
GirlCode invites young women in Tanzania, partners, mentors, and members of the technology ecosystem to support this year’s hackathon and help build a more inclusive digital future for Africa.
Date: 26-27 September 2026
Application link: https://www.girlcode.co.za/hackathon-2026
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