10 000 developers, three days and one big app challenge

More than 10 000 developers have registered for a national hackathon that will challenge participants to turn everyday problems into practical digital solutions over a single weekend.

The 2026 FNB App of the Year Hackathon runs virtually from this Friday, 23 October, to Sunday, 25 October, bringing together developers and aspiring technology entrepreneurs to build applications around challenges affecting communities across South Africa.

The competition places the emphasis on more than coding ability. Participants will need to identify a specific problem, understand the people affected by it and develop an app that responds to their needs.

FNB says the number of registrations reflects strong interest in applying digital skills to real-world challenges, with this year’s themes ranging from youth employment and access to education to financial inclusion, safer communities and climate resilience.

From everyday problems to digital solutions

The hackathon invites participants to choose a problem statement and develop an application that addresses the issue over the three-day event.

The challenges cover six broad areas: 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.

An application might focus on helping young people prepare for employment, making it easier for small businesses to grow or improving access to essential services.

Participants will also need to consider whether their proposed solutions are affordable and accessible, and whether they can work in the circumstances of the communities they are designed to serve.

Janis Robson, Business Development Head at FNB, said the aim is to encourage developers to focus on the people who could benefit from the technology they create.

‘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,’ Robson said.

Janis Robson, FNB’s Head of Business Development, is encouraging developers to use innovation to address real-world challenges.
Picture: Supplied

Over the weekend, participants will progress from identifying a problem to developing a digital response, making decisions about which features are essential and how best to meet the needs of their intended users.

The virtual format allows participants to take part remotely, while the three-day schedule sets a defined period for turning an idea into a working application.

The hackathon forms part of the wider FNB App of the Year Awards programme, which recognises app development in South Africa.

The competition includes a Best Hackathon Solution category, recognising the strongest application developed through participation in the hackathon.

The event also comes amid wider efforts to expand access to digital skills and technology careers in South Africa.

Recently, the GirlCode initiative highlighted how coding and robotics education can help young people explore technology and prepare for potential careers in the sector.

While the hackathon focuses on developing solutions within a short timeframe, its stated objective is to encourage participants to apply their technical knowledge to problems that matter in everyday life.

The 2026 FNB App of the Year Hackathon takes place online from 23 to 25 October.

Developers and aspiring technology entrepreneurs can find event details, entry information and the full list of problem statements on the official FNB App of the Year Hackathon website.

With more than 10 000 registrations, the weekend will bring a substantial pool of participants into a shared challenge: creating digital tools that respond to practical needs, from employment and education to small-business development and community safety.

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