Three days. One challenge: build an app that makes a difference.
One of South Africa’s biggest hackathons returns from 23 to 25 October, challenging developers to build apps that address everyday problems.
JOHANNESBURG, 21 October 2026: More than 10 000 developers have registered to participate in this year’s FNB App of the Year Hackathon, making it one of the biggest hackathons in South Africa. Taking place from Friday, 23 October to Sunday, 25 October 2026, the event will bring together developers and aspiring technology entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into practical digital solutions.
The hackathon will run virtually throughout the weekend, challenging participants to put their coding skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities to work.
From helping a young person find work to making it easier for a small business to get paid, the focus is on technology that serves a clear purpose. Participants will choose a problem statement and develop an app that responds to the needs of the people facing that challenge.
This year’s problem statements cover access to higher education, youth employment and work readiness, youth entrepreneurship and small-business growth, financial inclusion and money confidence, safer communities and gender-based violence response, and climate resilience and essential services. These challenges ask developers to consider affordability, accessibility and the practical realities of the communities they aim to serve.
“Having more than 10 000 developers registered reflects the appetite to put digital skills into action. The next step is to turn that enthusiasm into solutions that people find useful. Through the FNB App of the Year Hackathon, we want participants to think about the person behind every problem: the young jobseeker, the small-business owner or the student trying to access education. When developers build with those needs in mind, they give their ideas a stronger foundation for lasting impact,” says Janis Robson, Business Development Head at FNB.
Over three days, participants will move from identifying a problem to developing a digital response. The challenge will demand technical ability, clear thinking and decisions about what matters most to the intended user.
The event also connects practical app development with recognition through the FNB App of the Year Awards. The Best Hackathon Solution category honours the best app developed through participation in the FNB Hackathon.
With more than 10 000 developers registered, the 2026 hackathon brings substantial talent and ambition to a shared challenge: building technology that makes everyday life better.