Absa Bank backs GirlCode hackathon to build Ghana's female tech talent pipeline

Absa Bank Ghana has thrown its weight behind the 2026 GirlCode Ghana Hackathon, a two-day innovation event designed to equip young women with practical digital skills and pathways into technology careers. The Accra-based hackathon, part of the broader GirlCode Pan-African initiative, brought together female participants from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on real-world challenges under mentorship from industry professionals.

The initiative reflects growing recognition that Ghana's digital economy needs diverse talent. As African countries accelerate their digital transformation, women remain significantly underrepresented in technology roles—a gap that costs economies billions in lost innovation and economic potential. Hackathons like this one serve as accessible entry points, allowing participants to build portfolios, network with industry leaders, and gain confidence in technical fields where women often face systemic barriers.

Building confidence in AI and digital futures

Justice Amegashie, Chief Information and Enablement Officer at Absa Bank Ghana, emphasised that artificial intelligence is democratising problem-solving across sectors. "The opportunity now is to ensure that more young women have the skills, confidence and access to help shape that future," he said, urging participants to develop solutions addressing real community and continental challenges.

Anita Twum-Ampofo, Head of Technology and Service Management at Absa, stressed that empowerment requires more than coding skills. "When women are empowered with knowledge, technology, mentorship, and opportunity, extraordinary things happen. They do not merely participate in innovation; they redefine it," she noted.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's tech ecosystem is growing rapidly, with startup activity concentrated in Accra and increasing venture capital interest. Yet women remain vastly underrepresented in founding teams and technical roles. Supporting initiatives like GirlCode directly addresses this gap, building a stronger talent pool for Ghanaian tech companies and improving the country's competitive position in Africa's digital economy.

Beyond individual career advancement, diverse teams innovate better. When young Ghanaian women gain skills in software development, data science, and product design, they bring unique perspectives to solving local problems—from agricultural technology to fintech solutions tailored to underbanked communities. This strengthens Ghana's entire innovation ecosystem.

The hackathon curriculum went beyond coding, incorporating teamwork, problem-solving, pitching and entrepreneurial thinking—all critical for navigating modern workplaces and launching startups. For participants, the experience offers tangible benefits: portfolio-building, mentor connections, potential employment leads, and peer networks within Ghana's tech community.

Absa's sponsorship signals corporate recognition that diversity in tech is not charitable add-on but business imperative. As financial services digitise rapidly, banks need female engineers, product managers, and cybersecurity specialists. By supporting talent pipelines today, Absa invests in future employees and partners while contributing to broader economic inclusion.

Ghana's aspirations to become a digital hub rest partly on having a workforce reflective of its population. Initiatives like GirlCode Hackathon—backed by committed corporate partners—help transform that aspiration into reality.