Absa Bank Tanzania Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Oscar Mwamfwagasi, addresses participants during the closing ceremony of the 2026 edition of the GirlCode Hackathon in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The GirlCode Hackathon is part of GirlCode’s wider Pan-African initiative to empower young women with practical technology skills, mentorship, and opportunities to develop solutions that address real challenges in their communities.
Absa Bank Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in technology following the successful conclusion of the GirlCode Hackathon 2026, a two-day innovation challenge that brought together young women coders, developers and entrepreneurs from across the country.
Held in partnership with Neurotech, Sahara Ventures, Snippe, Sndbx Spaces and GirlCode Africa, the hackathon provided participants with a platform to develop digital solutions to real-world challenges in financial technology (Fintech), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
Speaking during the closing ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Sunday evening, Absa Bank Tanzania Chief Operating Officer, Mr Oscar Mwamfwagasi, commended the participants for their creativity, determination and problem-solving abilities.
“Your solutions stood out not only for their technical excellence but also for their potential to make a real difference. You have tackled complex challenges with boldness and brilliance, proving that innovation knows no gender and that the future of technology is brighter because of you,” he said.
Mr Mwamfwagasi said the hackathon was more than a competition, describing it as a platform for learning, collaboration, growth and transformation. He noted that participants had developed solutions ranging from ecosystem banking platforms to AI-powered optimisation engines, demonstrating the capacity of young Tanzanian women to contribute to the country’s next wave of technological innovation.
“When women are given the opportunity, they don’t just participate, they lead,” he said. “The next generation of tech leaders is already here.”
He further reaffirmed Absa Bank Tanzania’s commitment to creating inclusive pathways for women in technology, in line with the bank’s purpose, “Empowering Africa’s Tomorrow, Together, One Story at a Time,” and its brand promise, “Your Story Matters.”
“Events like this are not just about coding; they are about creating pipelines. We are identifying talent, nurturing potential and opening doors. Absa Bank Tanzania is committed to ensuring that young women who participated here have access to opportunities such as internships, mentorship and future employment,” he said.
Encouraging participants who did not win awards, Mr Mwamfwagasi urged them to remain focused on developing their skills and pursuing their ideas.
“Every great technologist has faced setbacks. What matters is how you respond. Take what you have learned here and keep building, keep dreaming and keep pushing boundaries,” he said.
Representing the overall winning team, Team Rafikis, Ms Lilian Msaki, an Information Technology engineering graduate from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), expressed her appreciation to Absa Bank Tanzania and GirlCode Africa for organising the hackathon.
She said the competition had helped her gain greater confidence in using technology to develop solutions to different challenges.
“I would like to encourage all women with ideas not to be afraid to come forward. You can solve many problems through technology,” said Ms Lilian.
Speaking at the event, Absa Bank Tanzania Chief Information Officer, Mr Emanuel Mwinuka, said initiatives such as the GirlCode Hackathon could contribute to addressing the gender imbalance among computer systems professionals in Tanzania.
“This challenge is not only in banks but also in other industries. That is why we at Absa decided to encourage young women from universities and workplaces to take advantage of opportunities in technology and to use technology to develop solutions,” he said.
Mr Mwinuka described the 2026 edition as a successful event, noting that the winners would have an opportunity to represent Tanzania in a wider international competition involving winners from other participating countries.
“Today’s event has been very successful. We have had three winners. Since this event is also taking place in other countries, the first-place winner will have the opportunity to compete with winners from other nations through their solutions, with the best solution receiving another award,” he said.
The GirlCode Hackathon 2026 concluded with an awards ceremony and networking sessions, alongside a shared commitment among organisers and participants to sustain efforts aimed at increasing women’s participation and leadership in Tanzania’s technology ecosystem.
Team Rafikis emerged as the overall winner, followed by Team Bizlift in second place and Team Nexora in third place.
Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Learning, Ms. Doris Kibassa (fifth left), presents a certificate to members of Team Rafikis, the first-place winners of the 2026 edition of the GirlCode Hackathon, during the closing ceremony held in Dar es Salaam on Sunday evening. The GirlCode Hackathon is part of GirlCode’s wider Pan-African initiative to empower young women with practical technology skills, mentorship, and opportunities to develop solutions that address real challenges in their communities. Also pictured are representatives from Absa Bank Tanzania and the programme’s partners.
Absa Bank Tanzania Chief Information Officer, Mr. Emanuel Mwinuka (left), speaks during the closing ceremony of the 2026 edition of the GirlCode Hackathon in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Absa Bank Tanzania Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Oscar Mwamfwagasi (left), presents a certificate of appreciation to the bank’s Project Portfolio Manager, Ms. Munira Chambuso, during the closing ceremony of the 2026 edition of the GirlCode Hackathon in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Looking on is the bank’s Chief Information Officer, Mr. Emanuel Mwinuka.
Participants in the 2026 edition of the Absa GirlCode Hackathon pose for a group photograph during the hackathon’s closing ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
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