Naulisako, a digital fare collection platform, has won the third edition of the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon, with its four-member team developing a solution designed to improve payments and financial tracking in the country’s public transport sector.

The winning team comprises Mary Wangui, Linet Mugwanja, Aisha Barasa and Cynthia Chepkorir. Naulisako streamlines public transport payments, automates reconciliation for vehicle owners and generates reliable sales records for financial tracking.

The two-day hackathon, held at Konza Technopolis, brought together 44 young women, including students, graduates, developers and aspiring entrepreneurs, to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges with support from industry mentors.

Naulisako was selected ahead of Biashara Bot, which finished as first runner-up, and Korva Creatives Economy, which took third place.

Biashara Bot digitises and automates financial record-keeping for small businesses, while Korva Creatives Economy consolidates creator revenues, engagement data and intellectual property monetisation across multiple channels to simplify income management for digital creators.

“Winning the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon affirms that young women have an important role to play in shaping the future of technology,” said Linet Mugwanja, speaking on behalf of the winning team.

“Naulisako was inspired by everyday challenges in the public transport sector, and we are proud to have developed a solution that can make payments more efficient, transparent, and accessible.”

The hackathon was organised by Absa Bank Kenya and GirlCode, with the Technopolis Development Authority serving as venue and technical support partner.

The top three teams received laptops, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, headsets and inspirational books.

Kenya was the sixth and final stop in this year’s GirlCode Pan-African Hackathon Series, following events in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Botswana and Uganda.

The Pan-African winners will be announced on October 12, with the winning team set to receive R100,000 (about $6,100 or KSh790,655), while the winning SME will receive incubation support to scale its solution.

GirlCode aims to reach 10 million girls and women across Africa by 2030 through coding programmes, mentorship, hackathons and digital skills development.

Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO of GirlCode, said the organisation was proud to continue its partnership with Absa Bank Kenya for a third year while welcoming the Technopolis Development Authority as a venue partner.

“Together, we are creating spaces where young women can learn, build, and see themselves as part of Africa’s technology future,” she said.

Moses Okundi, Chief Information Officer at Absa Bank Kenya, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to expanding access to digital skills and creating more opportunities for young women to participate in the digital economy.

“At Absa Bank Kenya, we believe digital skills and access to technology are powerful enablers of economic opportunity,” he said.

Josephine Ndambuki, Chief Manager, Business Development and Innovation at the Technopolis Development Authority, said hosting the hackathon was part of the organisation’s efforts to give young women opportunities to develop their skills and build solutions to real-world challenges.

The GirlCode Pan-African Hackathon Series is part of the organisation’s wider ambition to reach 10 million girls and women across Africa by 2030.