Even when companies with mixed-gender founding teams are included, startups involving women attracted just over 12% of global venture funding.

These are still among the most striking imbalances in the global startup economy.

But the funding gap doesn’t reveal the lot happening across sectors such as finance, healthcare, artificial intelligence, mobility and digital commerce. Women entrepreneurs are building companies that address everyday problems, including saving money, accessing diagnostics, paying school fees or commuting to work. 

Many of these businesses are growing quietly but steadily, creating new markets and improving access to essential services.

As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD 2026), the economic focus has gone beyond asking if women are entering business, but where they are touching and bolstering entire sectors.

Fintech: expanding access to money

Financial technology has become one of the most visible areas where women are building scalable companies.

In Nigeria, PiggyVest, co-founded by Odunayo Eweniyi, has grown into one of the country’s most widely used savings and investment platforms. The service allows users to automate savings and invest small amounts through a mobile app. For many youths, it has become a simple entry point into personal finance.

Eweniyi is also a co-founder of FirstCheck Africa, an investment fund created to provide early-stage funding for female-led technology startups across the continent.

Another Nigerian fintech platform attracting attention is Bamboo, where Yanmo Omorogbe serves as co-founder and chief operating officer. Bamboo allows Nigerians to buy and trade U.S. stocks directly from their phones, a service that has received strong demand from young investors seeking exposure to global markets.

Elsewhere on the continent, women are building platforms focused on financial inclusion.

Shecluded, founded by Ifeoma Uddoh, provides loans and financial training to female entrepreneurs. The platform supports women who usually find access to credit from traditional banks difficult.

Another example is Hervest, founded by Solape Akinpelu, which offers savings and investment products designed specifically for African women, including smallholder farmers.

At the grassroots level, social enterprise Mamamoni, created by Nkem Okocha, provides microloans and vocational training for women in low-income communities.

Taken together, these platforms illustrate how fintech innovation in Africa is addressing financial behaviour such as saving, investing and accessing credit, rather than simply digitising traditional banking.

Health technology: solving long-ignored healthcare gaps

Healthcare is another sector where women entrepreneurs are building companies around problems that were usually overlooked by traditional investors.

In Nigeria, Healthtracka, founded by Ifeoluwa Dare‑Johnson, allows users to book laboratory tests online and receive diagnostic results digitally. The company raised $1.5 million in seed funding to expand its services across Africa. 

Simplifying access to diagnostics, Healthtracka is tackling one of the toughest gaps in African healthcare systems.

Another Nigerian startup in the space is Clafiya, founded by Jennie Nwokoye. The platform connects patients with verified healthcare providers, offering digital access to medical consultations and services.

Pharmaceutical access is being addressed by Pharmarun, founded by Teniola Adedeji, which helps people locate and finance prescription medications across African markets.

Meanwhile, One Health, founded by Adeola Alli, is building a mobile-first platform that simplifies pharmacy services and access to primary healthcare.

Globally, women founders are also building large digital health companies.

U.S. platform Maven Clinic, founded by Katherine Ryder, provides virtual care services covering pregnancy, fertility and family health. The company has reached a valuation above $1 billion.

Another fast-growing health company is Kindbody, founded by physician Gina Bartasi, which operates fertility clinics and digital reproductive health platforms.

These businesses show how women founders are turning neglected healthcare challenges into scalable technology markets.

Enterprise software and artificial intelligence

The technology sector is male-dominated, particularly in enterprise software and artificial intelligence. But then several women entrepreneurs have built companies at the centre of the digital economy.

One of the most interesting examples is Canva, co-founded by Melanie Perkins. The platform has grown into one of the world’s most widely used design tools, serving more than 150 million users globally.

Another example from the AI sector is Scale AI, co-founded by Lucy Guo, which provides data infrastructure used to train artificial intelligence systems.

These companies operate deep inside the digital economy, building the tools and infrastructure that other businesses rely on.

Mobility and urban transport

Women founders are also addressing everyday urban problems, particularly transportation in fast-growing cities.

In Nigeria, Shuttlers, founded by Damilola Olokesusi, operates a scheduled bus-sharing platform designed to reduce commuting stress in cities such as Lagos. 

The company allows users to book bus seats through a mobile app and has raised more than $5 million in funding to expand its operations.

Urban mobility is one of the biggest challenges in rapidly expanding African cities. Platforms like Shuttlers provide structured alternatives to chaotic public transport systems.

Logistics and cross-border commerce

eCommerce is expanding across Africa, and logistics startups are becoming more important.

Sendsprint, founded by Damisi Busari, focuses on simplifying cross-border remittances and international payments.

Meanwhile, Fez Delivery, founded by Seun Alley, is building last-mile delivery infrastructure for businesses and consumers across African cities.

Logistics companies like these are the backbone of digital commerce, connecting online marketplaces to physical deliveries.

Education technology and financial literacy

Education financing is another area where women founders are developing new solutions.

Schoolable, co-founded by Angela Essien, provides financing tools that allow families and schools to spread tuition payments over time. The company has also developed digital tools that teach financial literacy to students.

Across many African countries, school fees sometimes limit education. Flexible financing platforms like Schoolable are attempting to solve that problem.

The funding paradox

Looking beyond these good works, women founders still receive a small share of venture capital.

Data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that women are launching businesses at rates close to men in many parts of the world.

However, access to capital is uneven. Across Africa, female-founded startups raised about $256 million in venture funding in 2025, representing 10% of the continent’s total equity investment, according to research from Partech Partners.

Part of the explanation is within the investment industry itself. Women still hold fewer than one-fifth of senior roles in venture capital firms globally.

Investment networks usually affect who receives funding, and those networks are dominated by men.

The industries women may transform next

Several emerging sectors could see stronger participation from women entrepreneurs in the coming years.

Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare and education are expanding, and climate technology, covering renewable energy, environmental monitoring and sustainable agriculture, is also attracting attention.

Another fast-growing field is the care economy, which includes childcare services, elder care and home healthcare.

With populations ageing and cities expanding, these sectors are likely to become indispensable to the global economy.

A change already underway

The venture capital gap is real and women founders still receive a small share of global startup investment.

But the companies they are building are doing exploits, solving problems that affect millions of people.

The change may not always be broadcasted, but across multiple industries, it is already enhancing markets.

Women are not simply joining the startup economy, but are helping determine what it becomes.

Over 80 Nigerian Web3 startups have raised $130 million to date, with $20 million raised in 2024 alone, mostly in infrastructure and DeFi. 

Nonetheless, for all this progress, women hold less than 22% of tech roles in the country and a meagre 12% of leadership positions in emerging sectors like blockchain and AI.

That gap is exactly what Onone Peace Ega has set out to close. She is not just another Technical Project and Program manager, and not just a voice in the room; she is “a problem solver.”

“I drive innovation. I work with innovators to solve technology-related problems within the tech ecosystem,” she said.

With a solid foundation in Web2 and a growing leadership presence in Web3, Onone’s focus is on creating solutions that actually move people, businesses, and communities forward.

The Problem She’s Solving

Nigeria’s digital payments market is projected to hit $18 billion by 2026, powered by PSPs, agency banking, and mobile-first solutions. Stablecoin transfers alone neared $3 billion in Q1 2024, with USDT/NGN now the most traded pair on centralised exchanges. 

Beneath those glowing numbers, however, lies a vulnerability: only 15% of Nigerian Web3 developers are employed full-time, while 41% work as freelancers, often paid in crypto. 

Add the threat of cybercrime, Nigeria is projected to lose part of the $10.5 trillion global cybercrime cost by 2025, with over 2,300 attacks reported daily, and it becomes apparent why building inclusive, secure ecosystems is urgent.

Beyond Web3, Onone Ega sees herself as a bridge between the old and the new.

“In bridging the old and the new… my major focus, especially with the work I do at Women in DeFi, is inclusivity. Women inclusivity. As much as technology is advancing, I am particularly on a mission to ensure that as many women not just come to know about the technology, but also lead the conversations that happen.”

A Career Forged in Contrasts

Her path was not straightforward. From writing code in her early years to leading technical teams, she discovered that management came naturally to her. She learned leadership in two extremes, structured banking halls and fast-moving startups.

“As a leader, you have to get your hands dirty. You cannot conjure anything from any textbook. You need to know the business, especially leading within the tech space in Nigeria, which is very compliance-driven. In terms of execution, the definition of ‘done’ is that we’re delivering this value, this business value, and then customers are happy. A functional solution that’s giving value to the users is the definition of done.”

One project that pushed her to her limits was FastBuka, a food delivery and logistics platform that allowed crypto payments. With little funding, her team pushed through hackathons and pitches until the Stellar blockchain grant came through, validating their vision. 

Another was Nigeria’s own eNaira integration, where she managed the back-and-forth with CBN under high pressure and tighter timelines.

She laughs now, but every sleepless night taught her that innovation is never smooth—it’s always a fight.

The experiences Onone Ega gained in structured and fast-paced environments prepared her for the risks and opportunities of Web3.

Betting on Web3

For some, Web3 feels abstract; for Onone Ega, it is the future. When asked why Web3 excites her, she explains:

“Web3 is basically decentralisation. The authenticity, the fact that you can rely on the information that you put on the blockchain, and you know that nobody is going to alter it, and it’s transparent for everyone to see—that’s what makes Web3 really interesting for me.”

Still, she acknowledges the risks.

“Security is an area of concern for me because it’s still burgeoning, especially in Africa. The aspect of technology that’s now going to need to double up is security. How do you make your platform secure? Are we certain that when users try to integrate to your protocol they will not encounter malicious activities?”

This duality, the excitement of possibilities and the reality of threats, is what drives her advocacy.

Women in DeFi and True Inclusion

Through Women in DeFi, Ega has seen first-hand how access changes lives. At its Lagos conference, the largest women-led Web3 event in Africa, the team gave out laptops to participants. Months later, one recipient tweeted that the laptop had enabled her to finally begin learning—and earning—in Web3.

“Reading that testimony took away all the hassle, all the struggle of putting that entire event together. It was so fulfilling.”

But inclusion, for her, is not about filling quotas.

“Short answer would be equality. You’re not just a number. You’re not just a woman who is in the space, but you’re a woman who’s visible and who’s using her office to do good work, to impact the next generation of women as well.”

She mentors women returning to the workforce, young students, and mothers—pushing them to see that they are not limited by gender.

“Some people currently have the opinion that tech is saturated, or tech is hard. But this is not cut out for men alone. You too can do it, because they have brains. You equally have brains.”

On plans for the future, her vision is not small.

“I’m looking to build a technologically forward and inclusive future for women… on a global scale, expanding community outside of Africa, to Europe, to Asia. Global participation in the tech ecosystem and leading the conversations as well.”

If someone were to tell her story five years from now, she hopes it will be about courage and inspiration.

“I’m hoping that somebody is inspired by the fact that I dare to try. That they take a positive decision for themselves that changes their lives forever.”

For all her accomplishments, what keeps her centred is commendable:

“What keeps me grounded is largely my faith. I’m a Christian. I have a very good relationship with God. I spend time in fellowship to just centre myself. The world gets busy, it gets noisy, and so that helps me align my convictions to the work that I do, and also show up in society as a better person.”

From bridging Web2 and Web3 to championing inclusion in technology, Onone Peace Ega is bolstering the future; one project, one community, and one inspired woman at a time.

Nine women-led startups gained direct exposure to global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.

The three-day event, hosted in both Abuja and Lagos, attracted over 3,000 participants, more than 100 exhibitors, and leading voices from across the global technology ecosystem. 

For Alami Capital, the focus was on ensuring that women are not left behind in building Africa’s innovation story.

Olu Olufemi-White, CEO of Alami Capital, stressed the urgency of the mission. “The success of The Launchpad at GITEX NIGERIA 2025 demonstrates the urgency and promise of investing in African women founders. Who gets funded determines what gets built and what gets built will shape Africa’s economic future. 

“Launchpad exists to ensure women are not left out of that equation. By anchoring their creativity and leadership within the continent’s new economic architecture, we are reshaping systems of innovation, governance, and growth for generations to come.”

Olufemi-White also featured on a high-level panel with NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Future Africa’s Iyin Aboyeji, where discussions centred on practical ways technologies such as big data, AI, and real-time analytics could drive inclusive innovation and smarter governance.

On the final day, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, hosted an honorary breakfast for the female founders supported by The LaunchPad.

Her keynote revealed the importance of strengthening women’s role in technology, creative, and impact-driven sectors, stressing that Nigeria’s economic growth depends on inclusivity.

In her address at GITEX, Olufemi-White captured the vision of what the platform seeks to achieve:
“I believe that great things happen when visionary leaders create space today, right here at home, that belief finds fresh expression, real expression.

“GITEX, a global stage for technology, diplomacy, innovation has landed on our soil, a meeting of ideas opportunity, a launch pad where a nation forges ties. Entrepreneurs ignite innovation, and a new generation shapes the digital frontier… The future is here, and that future is us.”

Her statement drew attention to the determination of Nigerian entrepreneurs to build solutions rooted in local realities, backed by patient capital and strengthened by collaboration between the public and private sectors.

In spotlighting women innovators and their startups, The LaunchPad at GITEX NIGERIA 2025 has marked an important shift in how the country places itself in the global tech space, one where women’s contributions are both welcomed and seen as indispensable to building a sustainable and resilient economy for Africa.

It is a fact that the doors of many initiatives and opportunities are closed to women precisely because they are such.

Today, rising above these limitations and getting another woman to hold your hand has become the goal of many women in technology.

There is a need to give strength to those who are still halfway, bring together women capable of changing courses, and transform their environment by focusing on each other.

Women offer diverse viewpoints that can create groundbreaking solutions in the tech context. As such, an inclusive ecosystem can birth and enable the creation of solutions that address real-time challenges.

The more a country transforms into an innovation-led economy, the more critical role a woman’s talent plays in the transformation process. So, women’s participation in tech enables a nation to position itself as a potential global player and highly competitive in innovation-led ventures.

Ruby Igwe, the country manager at ALX Nigeria, speaking on the subject at a Women In Tech event emphasized the importance of collaboration among women and addressing challenges.

Igwe highlighted the importance of attracting women to tech courses and ensuring they complete them to advance their careers. She identified common challenges faced by women, including financial constraints, childcare responsibilities, geographic limitations, marital commitments, and personal setbacks.

“If we are talking about bringing more women to the table we must understand the different pain points and nuances that shape women’s participation in tech development. We have situations where women enrol for a tech programme and never finish because of different family challenges. What we do at ALX is to provide support systems that will allow for equality.”

Igwe also urged experienced women to mentor younger women to boost their confidence and provide guidance.

“The biggest challenge is the mental limitations that most women put on themselves. They must seek support system from other women and even men instead of competing against one another and hampering their chances of securing more opportunities in nuanced positions.

“Mentorship among women should be intentional. It is an investment requiring strong female leaders’ personal decisions to reach out to young mentees within the tech industry,” Igwe said.

The tech ecosystem is the interrelated network of various players. Thus, the Women in Tech project echoes that no one should be left behind in the ecosystem, even if no one is seen as physically left behind.

There are so many ecosystem gains of promoting equal opportunities that include but are not limited to, the fact that Nigeria will achieve an increase in the number of ICT innovators.

Addressing the issue, Solape Akinpelu, the CEO of HerVest, and country director Women in Tech Nigeria, said:

“The goal of this event is for women to share experiences, expectations, and visions that will spark trans-generational impact within the tech ecosystem.”

She noted that there has been an influx of talented women into the tech industry and praised the growth of women’s inclusion over the years.

She highlighted the activities of Women in Tech Nigeria stating that over 2000 women have been empowered with tech skills since its inception in 2021.

Regarding technology, it is common to see only men in the sector. However, it is expected that the collective intelligence of both men and women in tech will increase, a large pool of talent will be maximally tapped into, and the tech community will attract the best talents.

Yet, recent statistics show that women remain underrepresented in the technology industry.

The last census results by the National Population Commission show that there are almost as many women as there are men in Nigeria, however data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on women and men in the country reveal that women occupy just 25% of the employment rate in the technology industry even as 22% of annual STEM graduates from Nigerian universities are women.

Although a global challenge, these gaps have underscored the need to increase female representation in the tech industry in Nigeria.

As the world marks the 2024 International Women’s Day, IWD and against the backdrop of the successful execution of its three previous editions, leading digital financial services provider for emerging markets and the second-fastest growing company in Africa, Moniepoint Inc has announced the launch of this year’s edition of the Women-In-Tech initiative.

This year’s IWD campaign theme of #InspireInclusion calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.

Given that previous editions had 5 women in each cohort, this year the 6-month internship programme which is aimed at ensuring that young women have access to building a career in technology will see 10 women take on roles in various teams that include Cloud Engineering, Backend Engineering, Technical Product Management, Data Engineering, Systems Administration, Technical Support and User Experience.

Christened as the Dream 10, these women will be provided with direct mentorship during the internship.

Other perks include; a salary, work tools, merch, the opportunity to work on live projects during the course of the internship and an offer of full-time employment depending on assessment post-internship.

The goal of the Women in Tech initiative has always been to provide women with the opportunity to grow their skills by gaining the necessary experience to advance their careers.

As such, selected applicants get to spend time working on real projects to help shape digital finance in Africa.

Alumni from the programme have become active contributors to the development of their products making a huge difference in the world while making significant strides within the tech ecosystem.

Speaking on this year’s edition, Chinaza Nduka-Dike, head, People Operations at Moniepoint Inc noted that with this initiative the organization is going over and beyond inspiring inclusion to demonstrating a genuine commitment to making a difference in the lives of women.

“Increasingly we are seeing that diversity, inclusion can ignite innovation and growth. Intentional outreaches such as our Women in Tech which have helped to increase female representation and have had a transformative power to create meaningful inclusion while ensuring that we can keep pace with the talent development in a global economy.

We have been able to fill talent gaps while giving women great jobs and a sustainable livelihood. Looking back at the past editions, we are filled with an immense sense of pride at the progress made and looking forward to adding more women to the pool who in turn can grow as leaders and build thriving, successful organizations”, she said.

Tefe Oladejo, a frontend engineer and member of the pioneer cohort of the Moniepoint Women in Tech expressed her delight at the increased number of internship roles available for the 2024 programme.

“I am a living witness to the transformative power of bold action initiatives like this. It’s been a privilege to work on products that you can see making a visible difference in the lives of millions. Moniepoint’s supportive ecosystem has been very pivotal to my growth and personal development,” she said.

Since 2019, Moniepoint’s technology has powered the dreams of over 2 million business and individuals, offering personal and business banking, payment, credit and business management tools to help them succeed.

The internship is open to women across Africa who are interested in starting a career in technology.

Interested applicants can find out more about available roles and apply for the programme via the Women in Tech website.

This positive change challenges traditional gender norms and fosters a diverse and inclusive environment essential for the industry’s growth and development.

Despite the challenges, these women are carving out their paths, leading successful startups, turning challenges into triumph and contributing substantially to the life of many.

Of course, there are lots of them, but just to mention a few, we have:

1. Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson – Healthtracka

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, the Founder and CEO of Healthtracka, has revolutionized healthcare technology. Her startup focuses on innovative solutions that enhance healthcare accessibility, making a significant impact on people’s lives.

2. Temie Giwa-Tubosun – LifeBank

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, the CEO of LifeBank, stands at the forefront of healthtech innovation. Her company, LifeBank, utilizes technology to deliver life-saving medical products to hospitals, ensuring 24/7 availability of blood and blood products, while emphasizing the essential role of technology in healthcare.

3. Adeola Ayoola – Famasi Africa

Adeola Ayoola, the CEO and Co-founder of Famasi Africa, is driving change in the pharmaceutical industry. Her startup, Famasi Africa, aims to enhance the pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring the availability of essential medicines to all and connecting individuals as well as businesses to Pharmacies.

4. Tomilola Majekodunmi – Bankly

Tomilola Majekodunmi, the Co-founder and CEO of Bankly, is redefining financial technology in Nigeria. Her startup, Bankly, focuses on providing digital financial services, empowering individuals and businesses with secure and accessible banking solutions.

5. Oluwatosin Olaseinde – Money Africa and Ladda

Oluwatosin Olaseinde, the Founder of Money Africa and Ladda, is a driving force behind financial education. Her initiatives empower individuals with financial knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.

6. Solape Akinpelu – HerVest

Solape Akinpelu, the Co-founder and CEO of HerVest, is dedicated to promoting financial inclusion. Her startup, HerVest, focuses on providing accessible investment opportunities for women, fostering economic independence and empowerment.

7. Kemi Ogunkoya – LeaderX

Kemi Ogunkoya, the Co-founder of LeaderX and Program Director at Women in Tech, is a passionate advocate for women in the tech industry. Her initiatives empower women with skills, mentorship, and opportunities, bridging the gender gap in technology.

8. Ruth Olojede – Flick

Ruth Olojede, the Co-founder and CEO of Flick, makes connections to bank accounts seamless via the Flick app, where contactless payments and views of net worth are a glance. This enables clients to make secure and quick borderless transactions across multiple financial institutions. You can control and monitor your multiple accounts using Flick.

9. Chioma Okotcha – PayHippo

Chioma Okotcha, the Co-founder of PayHippo, is reshaping the fintech landscape for SMEs. Her startup, PayHippo, focuses on providing hassle-free financial solutions for small businesses, facilitating their growth and sustainability.

10. Temitope Omotolani – Crowdyvest

Temitope Omotolani, the Co-founder of Crowdyvest, is driving social impact through financial technology. Her startup, Crowdyvest, enables individuals to participate in impactful investment opportunities, fostering community development and positive change.

11. Affiong Williams – ReelFruit

Affiong Williams, the Founder and CEO of ReelFruit, is an innovator in the agribusiness sector. Her company, ReelFruit, focuses on producing healthy and natural snacks, promoting sustainable agriculture practices and entrepreneurship.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity

These commendable women are not only leading successful startups but also inspiring the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Their stories emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry, fostering creativity, innovation, and social change.

The contributions of these women prove that an inclusive environment empowers women and drives unparalleled growth and innovation in the tech sector.

Having successfully completed the previous three editions, which produced 15 winners collectively receiving over US$150,000 in seed funding, the initiative remains committed to empowering women-owned small enterprises and promoting greater gender diversity in technology entrepreneurship.

The Standard Chartered Women in Tech programme focuses on female-led entrepreneurial teams, offering them training, mentorship, and seed funding.

Similar to the previous edition, 11 aspiring businesswomen will undergo an intensive 12-week executive bootcamp, where they will engage with industry experts, business development coaches, and executives from Standard Chartered.

At the conclusion of the training period, five winners with the most compelling ideas will be selected, with each recipient being granted up to US$10,000 to invest in their ventures.

Head Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing for Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Dayo Aderugbo, expressed delight about the launch of the fourth edition, emphasizing the potential impact of the programme on the socioeconomic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Aderugbo highlighted the program’s contribution to business sustainability, job creation, and its positive effect on the economy.

Since its initial launch at the City College of New York, USA in 2014, where the Women Entrepreneurs Resource Centre was established, the Women in Tech program has expanded to various markets, including Bahrain, Ghana, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and the UAE.

This year’s event, themed:

“Embracing Equity: Building Digital Skills for Life,”

is set to take place virtually, creating a platform for women to network, collaborate, and build their skills in technology.

The Women in Tech event brings together thought leaders, experts, and stakeholders in the tech industry to discuss gender equity, digital skills development, and career advancement opportunities for women in tech.

It will feature a lineup of notable speakers and panelists who will share their expertise and experiences on various topics related to women in tech. Additionally, there will be interactive sessions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities for participants.

Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, expressed excitement for the upcoming Women in Tech event.

He stated that the event was guaranteed to bring together women from across the technology industry to discuss important issues and build their digital skills. Adeniyi also emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all and supporting initiatives that promote gender equity and empower women.

The Stanbic IBTC Bank Women in Tech event highlights the importance of creating a more equitable and inclusive tech industry and empowering women to develop the digital skills they need to succeed in the field.

The event addresses the gender gap in the technology industry and provides a platform for women to develop and showcase their skills.

The Women in Tech event promises to be an insightful and inspiring event that will empower women to take charge of their digital skills and drive change in their communities.

Participation

Registration for the event is open. Click on the link here or https://stanbicibtcdesignxm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8LvPv0RdifCDdA to register:

The beneficiaries graduated from eight uniquely curated in-demand learning tracks namely Mobile Development, Software Development, Product Design, Product Management, Cybersecurity, Data Science/ Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Blockchain, and Mixed Reality/3D.

The Women Techsters Fellowship is a one-year virtual learning program delivered through six months of intensive training as well as a six-month internship opportunity that will help give real-life experience to the learning phase. A total of 1,466 beneficiaries were admitted to the class of 2023 from a pool of 14,509 who completed applications and out of 77,000 attempted applications from 15 African countries.

Nigeria recorded the highest number of graduated beneficiaries (733) while 27 fellows graduated from Kenya. Ghana and Ethiopia accounted for 16 graduates apiece while Egypt and Uganda also had 12 graduates apiece. 11 fellows graduated from South Africa out of 24 students who enrolled in the program. Other countries include Mozambique (6), Madagascar, (4), Botswana (2), Tanzania (2), Algeria (1), DR Congo (1), Zambia (1), Rwanda (1), and Malawi (1).

Founder and President at Tech4Dev, Joel Ogunsola who congratulated the fellows on the impressive feat revealed that the organisation will do all it takes to support their tech journeys.

“Congratulations on the entire journey, it’s not been the easiest but ultimately, it’s going to be far more rewarding. We will ensure that we continually support your journey as we advance as an organization. We’ll create more structure and processes to support your tech journey. For us at Tech4dev, this is only the beginning of the journey, six months is a long time but growing your career and competence takes a whole lot more.

“We ultimately believe that it can only get better. There’s still a lot to learn to become a leader but ultimately, the sky is the starting point for you.”

Co-founder and Executive Director Oladiwura Oladepo added, “Over the past six months, you (Fellows) all have been trained by the best minds in Africa, and since the completion of the learning phase, we are proud to say that 20 of the Fellows have already secured jobs, while 18 others have been placed in internships.

“This is precisely why the Women Techsters Initiative was created; to empower African girls and women with the much-needed digital skills and support structure to access decent job opportunities within the technology ecosystem or establish technology-enabled businesses and startups.”

The Annual Conference will feature renowned speakers, policymakers, and thought leaders whose discussions will serve to further the organization’s commitment to closing the gender gap and empowering the next generation of professional women for leadership.

The event which spotlights recommendations for sustainable national development will create an avenue for attendees to engage in open dialogue and networking. As usual, the conference will be kick-started with the organization’s flagship 1km mentoring walk on Saturday, the 3rd of December at the scenic Eko Atlantic City. 

Commenting on WISCAR and its mission for women empowerment, Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, said “WISCAR is a formidable network of female professionals who are equipped to lead, socially innovate, and take critical decisions to contribute to the development and facilitation of a new chapter of experience in the workplace.

As a country with a significant female population, there is a crucial need to build a generation of women for leadership and foster collaboration between the genders to sustain a buoyant and vibrant economy.

Our annual conference is a platform for networking and capacity building, unearthing useful recommendations that will influence required legal and policy changes for gender equality, inclusive growth, and sustainable national development.”. 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, renowned author, and women’s rights advocate, is set to headline the conference as its keynote speaker and will be the 11^th recipient of the Distinguished WISCAR Award.

She will be supported by other distinguished speakers on the keynote panel including Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Tosin Oshinowo, Director, CmDesign Atelier; and Hawwah Gambo, journalist and 2023 House of Representative candidate. The panel will be moderated by Tunji Lardner, Journalist and Public Servant.

Goodwill messages will be delivered by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a past distinguished WISCAR award recipient; Beatrice Eyong, The United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West Africa State; and Ben Llewelyn-Jones, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria. The event would be anchored by Habiba Balogun, Organisational Development Consultant and formally opened by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu. 

Fabia Ogunmekan, Executive Director WISCAR, also reiterated the importance of WISCAR in proffering practicable solutions to national challenges.

She said, “The central mission of the WISCAR is to develop women to build a better nation. Our annual leadership and mentoring conference will be leveraged to galvanize action for women’s leadership and active participation in all spheres of the nation’s development.

Through it, WISCAR aims to entreat society to take a deeper reflection into the subtle and outspoken ways women have been excluded, weigh the losses against the gains, and be restless and relentless for change, while stepping up to play a part in making this change for a more equal and equitable world happen.”.