More than 300 innovators from across Africa will descend on the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre in Morningside, Johannesburg, for the 2026 Standard Bank Hackathon.
The flagship event aims to turn bold, technology-driven ideas into practical solutions for banking clients, financial sector workers, and local communities.
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Record-Breaking Participation Hits 12th Edition
Now in its 12th year, the competition experienced an unprecedented surge in interest, drawing a record 1,208 idea submissions from across the continent, nearly doubling the previous year’s entry total.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, the top 50 teams were selected to advance. Roughly 300 participants, organized into teams of four to six, will now go head-to-head in the main event.
Over three intensive days, teams will harness cutting-edge technologies to tackle real business challenges:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced machine learning models
- Data analytics for targeted market insights
- Process automation to streamline routine operations
- Next-generation digital platforms for seamless customer access
The ultimate goal is to build scalable tools that elevate the user experience, boost internal operational efficiency, and unlock new growth avenues across African markets.
Harnessing AI to Build the Future of Banking
Khomotso Molabe, Standard Bank Deputy Chief Information Officer, highlighted the massive potential of emerging tech in shifting traditional financial services.
“Artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented opportunities to reimagine how businesses operate and how customers experience financial services. The Standard Bank Hackathon provides a platform for people to experiment, collaborate and develop practical solutions that address real-world challenges,” said Molabe.
Molabe noted that some of the institution’s most impactful innovations have come from frontline employees working directly with the problems.
“This event continues to demonstrate the power of combining human ingenuity with emerging technologies to accelerate the future of banking,” he added.
From Concept to Execution: Real-World Business Impact
Unlike typical idea-stage competitions, the initiative emphasizes execution. Four out of the five winning teams from the 2025 AI-led Hackathon successfully implemented their solutions in live environments, underscoring a focus on converting promising experiments into operational applications.
The 2026 gathering will kick off with a keynote address by Molabe, followed by an executive AI leadership panel featuring:
- Andrew van der Hoven, PPB Chief Digital and Product Officer
- Nicole Borges, CIB Chief Information Officer
The panel will dissect how rapid AI adoption is reshaping continental industries, accelerating corporate innovation, and unlocking new economic infrastructure across Africa.
The event will culminate in a high-stakes, Dragon’s Den-style finale. Leading teams will pitch their final prototypes directly to an executive judging panel, where entries will be evaluated on four core parameters: innovation, feasibility, potential business impact, and ability to scale.
