GreenTech Hackathon 2026 Showcases Technology Solutions for a Sustainable Future
NAIROBI, KENYA —From helping farmers anticipate climate-related risks to monitoring ecosystem restoration and identifying urban heat hotspots, innovators at the 2026 GreenTech Hackathon have demonstrated how technology can address pressing environmental challenges and support a more sustainable future.
Organised by @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University in partnership with Oracle Kenya, the two-day hackathon was held online on 14 and 15 October 2026, bringing together innovators to develop technology-driven solutions addressing climate resilience, environmental conservation, food security and sustainable resource use. The winners were announced on 16 October 2026 at Strathmore University, marking the culmination of the competition.
From an initial pool of over 267 teams, 12 finalists presented their projects, showcasing applications of artificial intelligence (AI), satellite data and digital platforms across climate-smart agriculture, environmental monitoring, waste management and sustainable urban development.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica and @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University, highlighted the role of research, technology and entrepreneurship in addressing societal challenges, emphasising the importance of turning innovative ideas into viable solutions with market potential.
Dr. Nicodemus Maingi, Senior Lecturer at Strathmore University, congratulated the 12 finalists on their achievement and encouraged them to take their innovations beyond the hackathon and into the market. David Bunei, Country Director at Oracle Kenya, reinforced the importance of problem-led innovation, urging participants: “Always think about the problem. Don’t think about the technology.”
The competition culminated in the recognition of four outstanding projects demonstrating how technology can address environmental challenges:
- Overall Winner — Team Daraja: An AI-powered early-warning solution helping farmers anticipate livestock diseases, droughts and floods to strengthen agricultural resilience and support timely decision-making.
- First Runner-Up — Team Bora Chakula: Developed Harvest Link, a platform connecting smallholder farmers with buyers before harvest to reduce food waste, improve market access and support more efficient transportation.
- Second Runner-Up — Team Still Standing: Presented an AI-powered environmental monitoring platform using satellite imagery and vegetation-health indicators to track ecosystem restoration projects and strengthen environmental accountability.
- Judges’ Award — Team Canopy Equity: Developed a data-driven platform identifying urban neighbourhoods vulnerable to extreme heat and helping planners assess greening initiatives, including tree planting.
The winning teams were evaluated by an Oracle judging panel comprising Lavynne Ayisi, Legal Counsel; Billy Otieno, Enterprise AI & Cloud Solutions Architect and Albert Bwire, Principal Support Account Manager. The panel recognised projects demonstrating the potential to apply technology to environmental challenges.
The event also brought together Dr. Lorna Mutegi, Head of Executive Education at @iLabAfrica and Winnie Jumba, Sustainability Ambassador Africa at Oracle, reflecting the collaboration between Strathmore University and Oracle Kenya in advancing technology-driven solutions for environmental sustainability.
The partnership between @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University and Oracle Kenya provided a platform for innovators to develop and present technology-driven responses to environmental challenges, highlighting the value of collaboration between academia and industry in advancing innovation. The hackathon underscored the potential of emerging technologies to support sustainability while creating opportunities for innovators to develop solutions with practical applications for communities, businesses and institutions.
As the winning teams take their projects forward, the next step will be to refine, test and scale their solutions to establish their effectiveness and potential for wider adoption. Through research, innovation and partnerships, @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University continues to support technology-driven solutions to societal challenges, helping innovators move from ideas towards implementation and impact.
