The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, together with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), and the Information and Communications Technology Centre of Excellence (ICTC), has launched the nationwide Girls in ICT – AI Hackathon 2026.
The initiative invites female university students across Tanzania to showcase their skills and creativity in developing artificial intelligence solutions that tackle real-world challenges.
Set under the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”, the hackathon seeks to inspire young women to engage in technology and innovation.
Participants will collaborate, brainstorm, and receive mentorship to transform their ideas into practical AI-based solutions that can make a difference in society.
The event is scheduled to take place from March 23 to 27, 2026, in Arusha. Eligible participants must be Tanzanian female students currently enrolled in a university, aged between 18 and 24, and possess basic knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R. Membership in a coding or ICT club is considered an added advantage.
All interested participants are encouraged to register online at https://digitalclubs.tz/GICT2026 before the March 15, 2026 deadline.
Prizes include awards for the winning team, certificates for all participants, and special recognition during the closing ceremony.
Selected participants will also benefit from provided accommodation, meals, and transport throughout the hackathon.
Dr. Jabiri K. Bakari, Director General of TCRA, issued the announcement, emphasizing the importance of empowering young women in ICT and fostering a generation of innovators who will drive Tanzania’s digital transformation.
