THE Women in Tech Summit 3.0 edition, themed “Empowering Women in Africa Through Digital Transformation,” recently took place in Asaba, bringing together over 1,000 women in the technology sector to learn, collaborate, and drive changes through digital innovation.
In her opening address, the Convener and Founder of Coriftech Solutions, a tech hub in Asaba, Cynthia Orife, emphasized the summit’s vision to transform Africa’s tech landscape by equipping women with the skills and tools to enhance their businesses and careers through technology. “The summit is about understanding how to use tech to boost business efficiency, profitability, and capacity tasks,” Cynthia Orife said.
She highlighted the role of digital transformation in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating solutions across sectors, including healthcare and digital services. “True success lies in family honesty, health solutions, and digital solutions across sectors,” she added, mentioning the introduction of Nigeria Startup Act as a significant milestone.
Reflecting on the journey of the Women in Tech movement, Cynthia Orife shared, “From starting with 30 women, we have grown to over 500, and today, there are more than 1,000 tech women. Our strength is in empowering women across Nigeria and the continent to make their vision a reality. We aim to make healthcare accessible, empower women with digital solutions, and open economic opportunities.”
The event featured several keynote speakers, including; Onome Akwara, who spoke on “Women Leading Africa’s Digital Revolution: Diversity as a Catalyst for Innovation.” Her address focused on how diverse perspectives drive innovation and lead to better outcomes in tech.
The Project Coordinator at the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Nchegem Gahia, delivered a keynote on “Driving Employability through Digital Literacy.” Jerry Zane, a leader in strategy and analytics, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), spoke on “Benefits of the Startup Ecosystem to the Nigerian Economy.”
Bruce Lucas provided “Steps and Tools: Practical Guidelines for Digital Transformation,” while Adaora Uzorchukwu of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) explored “Nigeria’s Digital Future.”
Mrs. Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho’s session, “The Time is Now: Creating Your Path in the Digital Economy,” encouraged women to seize current opportunities in tech.
The summit’s highlight was a panel discussion on “Empowering Women in Africa through Digital Transformation: Fostering Innovation through Diversity” and another on “Empowering Women in Tech: Transforming Passion into Profit.” Discussions covered practical strategies for harnessing technology to scale businesses and create economic opportunities.
The annual Women in Tech Summit aims to empower women, foster innovation, build industry leaders, and support business growth through technology. With a focus on diversity, collaboration, and economic empowerment, the 2024 summit aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 8, and 9, offering women in tech a nurturing ecosystem to drive meaningful change.
Participants were equipped with the tools and knowledge to excel in tech careers, transform businesses, and harness technology to make a lasting impact.
