ABSA BANK EMPOWERS WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY THROUGH GIRLCODE HACKATHON 2025

The Director of Human Resources at Absa Bank Tanzania, Mr. Patrick Foya (second right), presents a certificate to the first-place winners, the Tokiva Sisters team, during the “Absa GirlCode Hackathon 2025” program. The competition challenged female university students to create digital solutions beneficial to the banking sector and other industries. From right are Absa Bank’s Director of Operations, Mr. Oscar Mwamfwagasi, and Director of Technology, Mr. Emanuel Mwinuka.

Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Technology, Mr. Emanuel Mwinuka (fourth left), speaks with participants of the “Absa GirlCode Hackathon 2025” program, where female university students were challenged to develop digital solutions to support the banking sector and other industries.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Absa Bank Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in technology with the successful conclusion of the GirlCode Hackathon 2025, a high-energy, 36-hour innovation challenge that brought together young women coders, developers, and entrepreneurs from across the country.

Held in partnership with the Women in Tech Centre and Girl Code Africa, the event provided a platform for participants to develop digital solutions addressing real-world challenges in Fintech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cybersecurity.

In his closing address in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Absa Bank Tanzania’s Director of Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Foya, commended the participants for their creativity, determination, and problem-solving spirit.

“Your solutions stood out not only for their technical excellence but also for their potential to make a real difference,” he said. “You’ve tackled complex challenges with boldness and brilliance — proving that innovation knows no gender, and that the future of technology is brighter because of you.”

Mr. Foya emphasized that the hackathon was more than a competition — it was a platform for learning, growth, and transformation, where participants collaborated to design solutions ranging from ecosystem banking platforms to AI-powered optimization engines. These innovations demonstrated that young Tanzanian women are ready to lead the next wave of technological advancement.

“When women are given the opportunity, they don’t just participate — they lead,” he added. “The next generation of tech leaders is already here.”

Building Inclusive Pathways for Women in Tech

Highlighting Absa’s role in nurturing female talent, Mr. Foya reiterated the bank’s commitment to creating inclusive pathways for women in technology, in line with Absa’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’re about creating pipelines,” he said. “We are identifying talent, nurturing potential, and opening doors. Absa Bank Tanzania is committed to ensuring that young women who participated here today have access to opportunities such as internships, mentorships, and future employment.”

Addressing participants who did not win awards, Mr. Foya shared a message of encouragement:

“Every great technologist has faced setbacks. What matters is how you respond. Take what you’ve learned here and keep building, keep dreaming, and keep pushing boundaries.”

Voices from Participants

One of the participants, Mariam Saidi Mohammed, a software developer, expressed her gratitude to Absa Bank and GirlCode Hackathon organizers for hosting the event.

“This hackathon has helped me build confidence in solving real challenges through technology,” said Ms. Mariam. “I would like to encourage all women with ideas — don’t be afraid to come forward. You can solve many problems through technology.”

Addressing Gender Gaps in Tech

Speaking at the event, Absa’s Director of Technology, Mr. Emanuel Mwinuka, noted that the GirlCode Hackathon will play an important role in addressing the gender imbalance in technology professions, a challenge affecting many industries across Tanzania.

“This challenge is not limited to banks but is common in other industries as well,” said Mr. Mwinuka. “That’s why we at Absa decided to encourage young women from universities and workplaces to take advantage of opportunities in technology and create solutions that make an impact.”

He added that the GirlCode Hackathon 2025 was a great success, producing three winning teams. The first-place winner will go on to compete internationally against other national winners, with the best solution receiving an additional award.

The event concluded with award presentations, networking sessions, and a shared commitment to sustaining the momentum of empowering women in the tech ecosystem.