Record 1,208 ideas submitted as 50 teams prepare to turn bold concepts into practical solutions
| DATES 15–17 September 2026 |
VENUE Global Leadership Centre |
LOCATION Morningside, Johannesburg |
More than 300 innovators from across Africa will gather at the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre in Morningside for the 2026 Standard Bank Hackathon, a flagship innovation programme designed to turn bold ideas into practical solutions for clients, colleagues and communities.
Now in its 12th year, the Hackathon attracted a record 1,208 ideas from across the continent, nearly double the previous year’s submissions. Following an evaluation process, the Top 50 teams have been selected to compete, bringing together approximately 300 participants in teams of four to six.
Over three days, participants will apply technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, automation and digital platforms to real business challenges. The aim is to develop solutions that can improve client experiences, strengthen operational efficiency and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Khomotso Molabe, Standard Bank Deputy Chief Information Officer says: “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. Some of our most impactful innovations have originated from employees closest to the problem, and this event continues to demonstrate the power of combining human ingenuity with emerging technologies to accelerate the future of banking.”
The programme’s impact extends beyond the competition. Four of the five winning teams from the 2025 AI-led Hackathon went on to implement their solutions, demonstrating Standard Bank’s focus on moving promising ideas from experimentation into real-world application.
The event will open with a keynote address from Molabe, followed by an AI leadership panel featuring Andrew van der Hoven, PPB Chief Digital and Product Officer and Nicole Borges, CIB Chief Information Officer. The discussion will examine how AI is transforming industries, accelerating innovation and creating opportunities across Africa.
The Hackathon will culminate in a Dragon’s Den-style final, where the leading teams will pitch their solutions to an executive judging panel. Entries will be assessed for innovation, feasibility, potential business impact and ability to scale.
