Gauteng’s brightest young technology innovators will compete for top honours when the Gauteng Department of e-Government, in partnership with Microsoft, hosts the Youth Tech Expo (YTE) G13 Hackathon Finale from 7 to 8 July 2026 in Johannesburg.
The event will conclude with an awards ceremony on 9 July, where Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC for e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini will announce the winning team.
A total of 50 finalists, representing Gauteng’s five regions, will take part in the provincial showdown. The finalists consist of 10 teams of five members each, with two winning teams from every region qualifying after emerging victorious in regional hackathons held throughout June as part of the Department’s Youth Month programme.
Over the two-day competition, participants will be challenged to develop innovative technology solutions that address some of Gauteng’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. The winning team will be crowned the 2026 G13 Hackathon Champions and recognised as the province’s leading young technology innovators.
The Youth Tech Expo G13 Hackathon is an initiative of the Gauteng Department of e-Government aimed at equipping young people with digital innovation skills while encouraging them to develop practical solutions for challenges affecting communities.
During the regional competitions, participants worked collaboratively to design digital solutions aligned with the Gauteng Provincial Government’s G13 priorities.
These include tackling crime and improving public safety, enhancing service delivery, strengthening healthcare and education, creating employment opportunities, and improving energy and water security.
The provincial finale is expected to showcase the creativity, technical skills and problem-solving abilities of Gauteng’s youth while demonstrating how innovation can contribute to building smarter, more resilient communities.
