It's a bit of a cliché, but remains true -- the existence of competition just means someone else proved the market exists already. They've done good research for you. You only need a truly novel idea (with a market) if you want to be a unicorn. If you just want to be successful, then jump in. Find ways to differentiate, even if it's just on price.

There are problems to solve all over the place. But you will need to dedicate deep focused thought toward finding them.

I recommend using the concept of a “talent stack” to find areas you are uniquely suited for and uniquely interested in.

Make an ordered list of things you enjoy, things you are motivated toward, things you are talented at. Then brainstorm ways to combine as many of them as you can.

Your particular combination will be rare, this is where you are most likely to be able to find and solve problems.

Since you’re a programmer you are very well suited for that type of analysis.

Once you’ve identified those areas, dedicate deep focused thought toward identifying problems and solving them. Go for long walks or hikes or bike rides while thinking about it.

Mohnish Pabrai said in an interview:

“What we are taught is that if you want to start a business, you need to come up with something new, something that hasn't been done before. But the reality is that the world will very easily accept three of the same thing, or five of the same thing. And usually it is an advantage to look at something that already exists and say, can another one of those exist? Or can I take what's there and tweak it a little bit? If you are a great cloner, you will be 90% ahead of the rest of humanity.”

Pick something that's getting popular elsewhere in the world but not yet in your country, and copy it?