Kenyan Women Empowered as All-Female Team Triumphs at National Hackathon
Absa Bank Kenya Chief People Officer Mumbi Kahindo poses with Veronicah Anzimbu, Faith Chemutai, Mawia Katiwa and Dorcas Kalaka after their solution dubbed “Jasho”, a fintech and AI powered solution that seeks to expand financial inclusion to gig economy workers including people living with disabilities won best overall in Kenya during the Absa Bank Kenya-GirlCode Women-in-Tech Hackathon
NAIROBI, Kenya, October 13, 2025 – Four young Kenyan women are making headlines after developing an artificial intelligence-powered fintech platform that has earned them national recognition and a ticket to represent Kenya at the continental finals of the Absa Bank Kenya–GirlCode Women-in-Tech Hackathon.
The all-female team, Team Avytria, emerged winners in the national competition with their innovation, “Jasho – Powering Your Hustle”, an inclusive fintech solution designed to empower gig economy workers and persons with disabilities. Aged between 21 and 26, the team members impressed judges with a solution that uses AI to offer real-time expenditure tracking, personalised financial coaching, and advanced fraud prevention.
The platform also features inclusive accessibility tools, including facial recognition and voice command options, making it user-friendly for individuals with different abilities. Their innovation stood out as a practical demonstration of how technology can be used to promote digital and financial inclusion.
The hackathon, themed “Future-Proofing Africa: Innovation at the Intersection of FinTech, Cybersecurity, and AI”, attracted 112 women between the ages of 18 and 35 from across Kenya. Over an intense 30-hour coding challenge, participants showcased their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as they tackled real-world digital challenges.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Charles Wokabi, Absa Bank Kenya’s Vice President and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, commended the participants for their innovation and resilience. “These teams have shown great creativity and problem-solving under intense conditions. Their ideas on financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention demonstrate the power of women in shaping Africa’s digital future,” he said.
He added that the top three winning teams would benefit from an incubation programme through the Absa Kenya Foundation in partnership with ALX, gaining access to mentorship, business development guidance, and workspace tools to help turn their ideas into market-ready products.
Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO and Founder of GirlCode, hailed the initiative for creating opportunities for women in technology. “This hackathon is giving women the platform to showcase their skills and create solutions that respond to real community needs,” she said.
The continental winner will walk away with USD 5,500 (KES 700,000). This year’s competition attracted over 450 participants from seven African countries, marking another milestone in advancing women’s participation in Africa’s growing digital economy.
Team Avytria’s victory not only celebrates innovation but also underscores the rising influence of empowered women shaping Kenya’s technology landscape. Also speaking about her journey is Veronica who is a participant and a woman in this innovation landscape.
