Konza:Four young Kenyan women have been celebrated as the overall winners of the third edition of the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon held at Konza Technopolis.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event gathered 44 participants, comprised of students, graduates, developers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, who worked on tech-driven solutions to real-world problems under the guidance of industry mentors.
The winning team, consisting of Mary Wangui, Linet Mugwanja, Aisha Barasa, and Cynthia Chepkorir, impressed judges with their creation, Naulisako. This AI-powered digital fare collection platform aims to streamline public transport payments, automate vehicle owners’ reconciliation processes, and enhance sales record reliability, thus improving efficiency, transparency, and financial tracking.
The Bots team secured second place with Biashara Bot, which digitizes and automates financial record-keeping for underserved small businesses. Third place was awarded to Korva for its Korva Creatives Economy platform, designed to manage creator revenues and intellectual property across various channels.
Linet Mugwanja, speaking on behalf of the winners, expressed that winning the hackathon highlights the significant role young women play in shaping technology’s future. She noted that Naulisako was inspired by daily challenges in public transport and hopes their success encourages more women to engage in technology and innovation.
The top teams were awarded laptops, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, headsets, and inspirational books. Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO of GirlCode, praised Kenya’s innovation ecosystem and highlighted the continued partnership with Absa Bank Kenya and Konza Technopolis as a venue partner. This collaboration aims to empower young women by integrating them into Africa’s tech future.
Moses Okundi, Chief Information Officer at Absa Bank Kenya, stated the initiative aligns with the bank’s commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment, emphasizing the importance of equipping young women with digital skills to drive economic opportunity.
The Technopolis Development Authority, hosting the event at Konza Technopolis, emphasized its dedication to offering young women opportunities to develop their skills and solutions to real-world challenges.
Kenya was the final stop in this year’s GirlCode Pan-African Hackathon Series, which also took place in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Botswana, and Uganda. The series aims to reach 10 million girls and women across Africa by 2030 through various educational and skills development programs.
The Pan-African winners will be announced on 12 October 2026, with a prize of R100,000 for the winning team and incubation support for the winning SME. Absa Bank Kenya’s involvement is part of its broader effort to ensure inclusive growth and meaningful participation in the digital economy.
