AfriHack 2026 Launches

AfriHack 2026 launches with Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II project and UVU Africa as partners

Now in its third year, the national innovation hackathon returns to Johannesburg and Cape Town in September with an expanded focus on employment, enterprise and international pathways

CAPE TOWN, 31 August 2026 — Empiras Global unveiled AfriHack 2026, the third national innovation hackathon, run in partnership with the Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II (DS4JI II) project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and with UVU Africa.

AfriHack 2026 will be held in two cities: Johannesburg (4–6 September) at the CAPACITI Hub in Braamfontein, and Cape Town (18–20 September) at UVU Africa, Brickfield Canvas, in Woodstock. The events will bring together young digital talent nominated by public and private universities, TVET colleges and digital skills programmes across South Africa, and young people not in employment, education or training (NEET); including those recruited through the DS4JI II project network.

The three-day event begins with a Corporate Day of keynote speeches, panels and an industry exhibition, paired with mock interviews where employers give direct feedback to students, providing a much needed bridge between potential employers and youth in search of opportunities. This is followed by a 24-hour hackathon in which teams work on a real business challenge co-designed with industry partners and supported by technical mentors. The event wraps up with presentations to an industry judging panel, an awards ceremony and a pathways session on enrolment, certification, scholarships and study-abroad opportunities.

THREE YEARS OF BUILDING A PIPELINE

Since its inception, AfriHack has expanded from a one-city meetup into a two-city national programme that creates a clear pathway into the labour market. It has also expanded beyond traditional universities, to include TVET colleges and Digital Accelerator programmes. Participants receive a certificate recognised by DS4JI II’s partner employers, priority referral to the DS4JI II Ikamva Digital programme, and direct contact with employers on Corporate Day. Catering for all three days is provided free to participants and their institutions.

“AfriHack, now in its third year, has grown not just in attendance but in the lasting impact on participants”, said Gugu Ntuli, CEO of Empiras Global. “The programme combines digital training with work-readiness; participants pitch to panels undergo real employer interviews and tackle live business briefs, leading many to secure jobs that strengthen the country’s digital workforce. Equally important, some attendees have launched their own businesses after mentorship from founders at AfriHack, producing young Africans who are both employable and able to create employment for others”, she concluded.

“The DS4JI II project aims to improve transitions of digitally skilled youth into jobs and opportunities for self-employment. The AfriHack Series 2026 supports this objective by giving young people a practical platform to apply their skills, collaborate with their peers, solve real corporate challenges, and demonstrate their capabilities to potential employers and partners. It is about moving beyond training to creating meaningful industry engagement, innovation and career pathway opportunities for South African youth.”

Dr Suraya Adam, Commission Manager, Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II, GIZ

“The 3rd Annual AfriHack brings together South Africa's brightest young tech talent, and we're looking forward to being a host partner again this year. What stands out is the diversity of talent on show, young people from communities and institutions across the country stepping up to a national stage. Initiatives like this are exactly the kind of access we want to see more of, connecting emerging talent directly with industry and turning that exposure into tangible opportunities.”

Quentin Pavitt - UVU Africa Group Ecosystem Manager

INTERNATIONAL PATHWAYS

The 2026 programme also brings diplomatic missions into direct contact with participants. Representatives of the Government of Japan will present the MEXT scholarship and JET exchange programmes during the pathwayssession, with further missions invited to present scholarship and study opportunities available to young South Africans.

Full details are available at www.empirasglobal.com/afrihack26.

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ABOUT EMPIRAS GLOBAL

Empiras Global is South Africa's award-winning EdTech company, committed to preparing African youth to be globally competitive through alternative education products, including study abroad placement, digital education and mentorship, allowing students to grow into the best version of themselves. Through the support of technology and an experienced workforce, Empiras boasts a successful track record of assisting numerous learners to gain scholarships, qualifications, and critical skills to thrive globally.

ABOUT THE DIGITAL SKILLS FOR JOBS AND INCOME (DS4JI II) PROJECT

The Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II (DS4JI II) project seeks to enhance employment opportunities for youth, especially young women, in the rapidly evolving South African digital economy.

This second iteration of the project sets to refine the integration of support services, delivering seamless navigation for youth transitioning from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and youth not in education, employment or training (NEET) into the digital labour market.  This integrated approach to transition youth from learning to earning is multifaceted, targeting professional career guidance, employment-oriented training, support services for (self-) employment transition, and the development of five evidence-based career pathways.

The DS4JI II project-supported career pathways are:  Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Software Development, Data Analysis, and Content Development & Multimedia Design.

The Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II (DS4JI II) project is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)in cooperation with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT).

ABOUT UVU AFRICA

UVU Africa is a Non-Profit Company with a mission to build future-fit, inclusive societies through technology and innovation.

MEDIA CONTACT

EMPIRAS GLOBAL

Lungile Ntuli

Co-founder and CTO

lungile@empirasglobal.com · 063 669 3870

www.empirasglobal.com/afrihack26