AMAD Fintech Hackathon Riyadh Sets Guinness World Record in 2026
Tuwaiq Academy, in partnership with Alinma Bank, concluded the second edition of the AMAD Fintech Hackathon at The Garage in Riyadh. The event, therefore, achieved a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest fintech hackathon.
The three-day competition attracted more than 6,000 participants through in-person and online participation. Moreover, they represented over 2,800 teams from across Saudi Arabia.
During the event, teams presented more than 2,800 projects that focused on financial technology challenges and emerging opportunities. Additionally, the hackathon included six competition tracks covering generative artificial intelligence for fintech, customer experience, financial literacy, open banking, gamification, and financial regulation.
The competition aimed to encourage practical digital solutions for the financial services sector. Furthermore, it supported innovation and helped participants strengthen their technical skills.
Focus on Innovation and Digital Solutions
Abdulaziz Alhammadi, Tuwaiq Academy CEO, said that the academy continues to invest in developing national capabilities through training camps, educational programs, technology competitions, and innovation initiatives.
Alhammadi added that the AMAD Hackathon forms part of these efforts by providing participants with a platform to develop ideas, apply emerging technologies, and collaborate on solutions for the fintech sector.
Organizers noted that the submitted projects reflected current technology trends. In addition, they highlighted the increasing interest in financial technology among students, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals across the Kingdom.
The event also created opportunities for participants to develop solutions with potential applications across various areas of the financial industry. As a result, teams gained practical experience while exploring new approaches to fintech challenges.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Ecosystem
The 2026 edition follows the inaugural AMAD Hackathon, which received a Guinness World Record in 2025 for being the largest hackathon held in Riyadh. However, this year’s competition achieved a new milestone by becoming the world’s largest fintech hackathon, according to Guinness World Records.
The hackathon also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued focus on expanding its digital economy. Through innovation, collaboration, and technology development, the initiative supported efforts to build local talent and strengthen the fintech ecosystem.
Furthermore, the competition encouraged cooperation between the public and private sectors. Therefore, it contributed to creating more opportunities for digital transformation and financial technology advancement in the Kingdom.
