The Central Bank of Kenya has opened applications for the AI Hackathon 2025, a key highlight of the Afro-Asia Fintech Festival, aimed at advancing ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector. The application window runs from October 14 to 26, inviting innovators, developers, and tech enthusiasts across the country to shape the next phase of digital finance.
Operating under the theme “Ethical and Responsible AI in the Financial Sector,” the hackathon seeks to encourage creative digital solutions that uphold strong moral and professional standards while addressing the challenges facing financial systems.
According to the Central Bank, the event will give participants an opportunity to showcase how AI can be applied in practical ways to support financial inclusion, boost efficiency, and enhance compliance with regulations—all while maintaining public trust and integrity in financial technology.
Participants are expected to design and develop AI-driven ideas or working prototypes that can help financial institutions, regulators, and fintech players manage data more effectively, improve security frameworks, and serve customers with greater accountability.
The Central Bank announced that the AI Hackathon’s Demo Day will be held on November 20, 2025. On this day, shortlisted teams will pitch their AI-powered solutions before a panel of judges drawn from the banking sector, regulatory bodies, and technology partners.
The Afro-Asia Fintech Festival, under which the hackathon falls, is recognized as a major collaborative platform linking innovators, policy experts, and technology leaders from Africa and Asia to explore opportunities for digital transformation in finance.
This year’s hackathon underscores the Central Bank’s focus on promoting ethical innovation and responsible technology use, especially as financial institutions increasingly rely on AI to automate operations, analyze data, and improve decision-making.
The Bank reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation that aligns with Kenya’s digital transformation journey and upholds international standards of responsible technology use. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring AI systems promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in all financial operations.
Interested applicants have been encouraged to visit the Afro-Asia Fintech Festival website — www.afroasiafintech.co.ke — for full details on registration, participation requirements, timelines, and project submission guidelines. The online platform will also provide information on eligibility and evaluation criteria.
The Central Bank has positioned the hackathon as a bridge between emerging developers, startups, and regulators, creating opportunities for collaboration and the development of scalable fintech solutions. Through this initiative, the institution aims to strengthen Kenya’s status as a regional hub for financial innovation, support a responsible digital ecosystem, and build public confidence in AI-driven technologies.
The upcoming Demo Day will also provide space for mentorship, networking, and showcasing Kenya’s growing pool of technology talent that is driving ethical and sustainable digital innovation. The Central Bank urged innovators, research institutions, universities, and fintech companies to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the creation of responsible AI systems that support inclusive growth across the country’s financial landscape.
