Glovo hosted the opening ceremony of its Women in Tech Bootcamp Program, a ground-breaking initiative in partnership with Lagos State and She Code Africa, aimed at fostering tech inclusion, providing skills training, and empowering women to build successful careers in technology.
The high-level event, held in Lagos brought together industry leaders, government officials, the European diplomatic community in Nigeria and tech advocates to reinforce Glovo’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in the tech industry and making a lasting impact in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
In her opening remarks, Lamide Akinola, general manager of Glovo Nigeria, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing gender diversity and creating pathways for women to thrive in tech-driven roles.
“At Glovo, we believe in a future where women are integral drivers of innovation, especially in tech. We recognize that the challenges women face in tech go beyond technical skills; they include barriers rooted in access, opportunity, and sometimes, the confidence to take bold steps. Today’s event is our way of saying – We see those barriers, and we’re here to help break them down with you. As the leading multicategory app with a vision to build the largest online marketplace to give everyone access to anything in their city within minutes; we believe that empowering women with digital skills is essential—not only for driving innovation and growth but for building communities where everyone can thrive,” she shared.
Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Lagos State (LSMCCTI) delivered a powerful keynote address which underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in unlocking opportunities for women.
“Today’s gathering signifies more than just advocacy; it is a rallying cry to reimagine the future of innovation by ensuring no one is left behind, particularly women, who represent half of our population. Studies reveal that bridging the gender gap in technology could add up to $12 trillion to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. This staggering figure underscores that empowering women in tech is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity. In Lagos State, a hub of innovation and economic activity, we understand that inclusion is a catalyst for sustainable growth. However, achieving this requires intentional strategies and robust partnerships. We are excited to work with Glovo and She Code Africa to deliver a program that opens doors for women to excel, innovate, and lead. This initiative also aligns with the mandate of our Ministry to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and support the development of skilled talent across industries, including technology,” said Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem.
A key highlight of the day was the Panel Discussion on “Breaking Barriers in Tech & Beyond”, featuring inspiring women leaders, including Lamide Akinola (GM, Glovo Nigeria), Ada Oyom (Founder, She Code Africa), Sonia Odije-Fajusigbe (Economic Policy Adviser, Consulate General of the Netherlands, Lagos), Wendy Okam (Director, Business Development, Ellington Bank UAE), Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji (Founder, RISE Networks), and Mojirayo Folarin-Lawal (Head, Funding and Partnerships, LSETF). The panelists shared insights on overcoming challenges, fostering community support, and building sustainable careers, with a focus on equipping more women to drive innovation across sectors.
Ada Oyom, Founder of She Code Africa, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership.
“As the technical partners of the Women in Tech Bootcamp Program, we are thrilled to collaborate with Glovo and the Lagos State Government to run this 12 week intensive program and create impactful pathways for women in tech. Glovo’s commitment to gender diversity is commendable, and we call on like-minded companies to invest in initiatives that empower the future of women in technology. Together, we can build a more inclusive and innovative tech ecosystem”.
A virtual address by Shiro Theuri, Glovo’s Chief Technology Officer, underscored the brand’s steadfast commitment to diversity in technology.
As a woman leading Glovo’s technological vision, Shiro’s role exemplifies the possibilities and impact of fostering inclusive environments.
Her address highlighted Glovo’s dedication to empowering women in leadership roles and building diverse teams that drive innovation and success in the tech industry.
Through her inspiring journey, Shiro showcased how Glovo’s focus on diversity is not just an ideal but a lived reality, paving the way for a more inclusive future in technology.
This dedication to “walking the talk” is evident in Glovo’s strategic efforts to create opportunities for women across its operations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it aims to set a new standard for inclusivity in tech.
Glovo’s Women in Tech initiative aims to ignite interest in tech careers by highlighting the flexibility, creativity, and impact of a modern tech environment.
To achieve this, Glovo focuses on three pillars: facilitating bootcamps for women without technical backgrounds to prepare them for junior tech roles; breaking gender stereotypes through community engagement, such as office visits that inspire young girls with female role models; and acting as a career catalyst by offering internships to top bootcamp participants.
A major highlight was the announcement of a mentorship program for the participants of the Women in Tech Bootcamp, facilitated by Glovo and She Code Africa.
This initiative ensures that, even after completing the bootcamp, participants will have ongoing access to mentorship, supporting their journey toward careers in technology.
This mentorship aligns closely with the broader goals of Glovo’s Women in Tech initiative across the globe, which aims to make an impact by empowering the next generation of women in tech.
Chidera Akwuba, regional head, Government & Public Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa at Glovo, highlighted the transformative impact of Glovo’s Women in Tech initiative, stating,
“When you empower a woman, you empower a community, a nation, and ultimately, the world. This initiative is made possible through the invaluable partnership of the Lagos State Government via the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, and our technical partner She Code Africa. Together, we are building an inclusive tech ecosystem that values diversity, fosters innovation, and inspires the next generation of female leaders to drive meaningful change in technology and beyond.”
The ceremony concluded with special remarks from William Benthall, Global Director Government Relations, Glovo; Laura Mensah-Oniru, Executive Secretary of Eurocham; and Sherifah Balogun, Director of Strategy, Funding, and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), who emphasized the importance of a supportive digital ecosystem for women and how private-public sector partnerships can be structured to drive sustainable economic growth, foster innovation, and bridge the gender gap in technology.
Through programs like the Women in Tech Bootcamp initiative, Glovo, in partnership with Lagos State government remains dedicated to creating pathways for women in tech and building an ecosystem where women’s contributions drive meaningful change.
