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Today, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking session on sustainability in civic tech, representing Digital Woman Uganda (www.digitalwomanuganda.org) and our commitment to leveraging technology for social impact. The session, facilitated by Civic Tech Innovation Network and supported by Ushahidi and GIZ African Union, underscored the importance of designing civic-tech solutions that are not only impactful but also adaptable, resilient, and scalable. Sustainability isn't just a goal—it's the foundation for ensuring long-term empowerment for the communities we serve. These conversations reaffirm the need to balance innovation with practical, community-centered strategies that address the root causes of inequality. At Digital Woman Uganda, we’re inspired to push forward, ensuring our solutions leave no one behind, especially women in rural areas, as we champion digital inclusion and social equity. Grateful for these spaces that bring together changemakers to build the future of civic tech in Africa. Let’s continue leading the way toward sustainable impact! #Sustainability #CivicTech #DigitalInclusion #EmpoweringCommunities

It’s another wonderful day at #IWTz24 , today is filled with exceptional discussions and innovative showcases. UN Women session, “Engage, Equip, Empower,” will emphasize empowering young women through digital skills. FUNGUO and the British High Commission will explore turning academic research into market-ready products, highlighting the need for collaboration, UNCDF will be sharing insights on digital inclusion, showcasing successful initiatives enhancing financial participation. The #IWTz2024 Exhibitions are still going on displaying Tanzanian technologies, while the SBI Ideathon is continuing to promote creativity and spotlight emerging entrepreneurs. Innovation Week will exemplify collaboration and progress. UNDP Tanzania costech UNICEF Tanzania United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) UN Women Enabel Serengeti Bytes Funguo Tanzania European Union UK in Tanzania Stanbic Bank Tanzania Vodacom Tanzania PLC #InnovationWeekTanzania #IWTz2024 #Innovation #InnovationTanzania #InnovationForCompetititveEconomy #DigitalTransformation #GreenEconomy #HumanCapitalDevelopment #FinancialInclusion #BlueEconomy #Tourism

Honored to be speaking about Women In Tech at the 3i Africa Summit Panel 1: Breaking Barriers - Insights from Leaders Join me, Chilekwa Banda, Elsie Effah Kaufmann, PhD, and Nelly Mensah for a powerful panel discussion moderated by Favour Ogunlana-Azeez about: - Strategies for fostering an inclusive tech environment - Methods to empower and retain women in tech roles - Actions we can all take to break down barriers in the industry Details: Tuesday May 14th at 13:55-14:40 GMT at AICC Hall 3 Panel 2: Navigating the Funding Trail & Financing the Future of African SMEs Join me, Lelemba Phiri, Magalie Gauze-Sanga, Mary Mwangi for an insightful panel discussion moderated by Hannah B. Acquah about: - Understanding the current funding landscape - Demystifying different funding options for African businesses - Positioning your SME for success in the eyes of investors Details: Tuesday May 14th at 15:30-16:10 GMT at AICC Hall 3 These are conversations you won't want to miss! #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #TechForGood

In an era marked by digital advancement, ensuring digital inclusion is paramount to fostering equitable opportunities for all. Yet, statistics reveal a stark reality: a significant digital divide persists, with women disproportionately affected worldwide. According to recent data, women in Nigeria face a 37% gap in internet access compared to men, hindering their ability to fully participate in the digital #economy. Against this backdrop, we embarked on a transformative journey to bridge this gap and empower women traders in Plateau State with essential digital skills. In partnership with the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, we organized a one-day Digital Literacy for Women Traders program on the 4th of April 2024 in Jos, Plateau State. Drawing from global insights on the importance of digital #inclusion, we curated a comprehensive curriculum aimed at equipping women #traders with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in today's digital age. Our mission? To empower women to harness the power of technology for business growth and economic #empowerment. During the program, participants received immersive training on Digital Literacy, Business Online Setup, #Digital Marketing, and Online Safety. As a testament to our commitment to their success, each participant was provided with a smartphone, a vital tool to kickstart their digital journey. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to SIMPACT Initiative, D Creative Hub and the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for their support and #collaboration. Together, we are breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered future for #women entrepreneurs. Cc: USAID DAI Global International Telecommunication Union Internet Society Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth World Pulse AFRICA WOMEN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE UN Women Global Fund for Women Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani Wayan Vota Sigve Brekke Tomas Lamanauskas Mary Ellen Iskenderian #digitalinclusion #inspireinclusion #digitalliteracy #digitalgenderdivide #onlinesafety #genderdivide #Partner2Connect

As we celebrate #InternationalYouthDay, it's crucial to recognize the power of digital skills in transforming the lives of young people, especially here in Kenya. This year's theme, "Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," highlights the immense potential that digital literacy and technology hold in shaping a brighter future for our youth. In Kenya, the digital economy is rapidly growing, offering new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. However, for this potential to be fully realized, we must prioritize skilling our young people with the necessary digital tools and knowledge. By focusing on digital inclusion, we're not just bridging the skills gap but also creating a generation of tech-savvy leaders ready to drive sustainable development in Kenya and beyond. Let’s continue to invest in our youth, providing them with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world and build a more sustainable future for all. #YouthDay2024 #DigitalInclusion #SkillingKenya #SustainableDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalSkills

Let’s explore how women-led innovations are transforming communities globally, from digital education to sustainable development initiatives. N50 Project Daniel Gutwein Erin Bown-Anderson, PhD Kevin Schwartz Angie Mar Scott Gostisha

Africa Tech Festival 2024 reflections   So last week I attended the 2024 Africa Tech festival event/showcase for the very first time at CTICC. Kudos to the events management team for a well run event (including the false evacuation alarm 😊) but I guess they were testing how responsive we will be in case of an emergency.   From the sessions I attended, I was inspired by the various trailblazers both from the African continent and abroad who shared their insights on the various topics, unapologetically and with conviction. Even though I attended a few mixed gender panel sessions, I must admit my bias towards women oriented topics (EQL:Lounge was my targeted space).   My key takeaways are: - AI is here to stay, we need to adapt so we are not left behind - Digital inclusion, meaningful access/connectivity for all is needed as we have a large unconnected and underserved population in Africa - When considering starting new ventures, the best lessons are those found outside your comfort zone - A lot more work needs to be sone to champion female economic empowerment and there are a lot of people doing amazing work in this space - It is important to have diverse networks - Women need to take up their space in areas that affect them including policy development and decision making Definitely looking forward to 2025 event ( 🤞 )

Looking back on 2023 fills us with joy and gratitude. We achieved so much in our mission to empower African girls and women in tech. Here's a glimpse of what we accomplished: • We empowered 28,563 girls and women through our programs and events, giving them the skills they need to succeed. • 5,000,000+ Impressions and reach on social media, spreading our message far and wide. This was a 40% increase from the previous year, showing our impact is growing stronger. • Our community hit 42,243 members across 44 countries, creating a network of support and collaboration. • We established 39 local chapters in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, bringing our mission to communities everywhere and much more! 👏👏👏 We didn't do this alone, our amazing partners, donors, sponsors, allies, and most importantly our, Queens, play a huge role in our accomplishments 😊😊👏👏👏 These numbers aren't just statistics or random figures, they represent real lives changed for the better. Lives of young girls and women all over Africa. But that's not all. In 2023, we committed to empowering 100,000 African girls and women with digital skills by 2030, and we're well on our way to achieving that goal. Kicking off 2024, we did so with even more determination knowing that there are more women and young girls out there who need the support, resources, and opportunities we provide. With your support, we're ready to make an even bigger impact, promote inclusion, and a difference for women and young girls in tech all over Africa. Here's to an exciting journey ahead as we continue on with our mission and we hope that you join us. 🚀 Read more about our 2023 impact here - https://lnkd.in/dYCxN-PF #SheCodeAfrica #WomenEmpowerment #2023InView

Happy Africa Day! As we celebrate the diversity and richness of our beloved continent, Intel Corporation brings an exciting opportunity for African entrepreneurs, women and youth to drive social impact in their communities. As an African ICT company, NtaITsho ICT Consulting is happy to help share this exciting opportunity. Intel Community Reach Programme: Empowering Africa's Changemakers Intel Corporation firmly believes that technology can be a powerful force for good, and they are committed to using their resources to address societal challenges and create a more inclusive world. Through the Intel Community Reach Programme, they are partnering with local organizations to drive impactful projects that promote equity and empower underserved communities in Africa. Who Should Apply? This call is open to ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs, women and youth across the African Union member states who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. Whether you're an organization, enterprise, startup, SME, or institution, if you have a project that leverages AI and broadband connectivity to tackle social issues in education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental services, fintech, or digital skills readiness, they want to hear from you! Here are the key criteria to note: 1. Projects must be based and operate within the member states of the African Union, targeting underserved rural, suburban, or urban communities.  2. Your project must address social challenges in the specified areas and demonstrate how AI and/or broadband connectivity is integral to its design or future plans.  3. Applying entities must be registered in the country where the project operates, and projects can have a local, national, or transnational scope within African Union countries. How to Apply: Think your project has what it takes? Don't miss this chance to bring your vision to life and make a tangible impact. Simply follow the link below to access the application form and submit your proposal. Apply Now: [https://lnkd.in/dBUji3RJ] The application process is straightforward, but make sure to read through the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2024, 17:00 PM GMT, so get your applications in soon! Spread the Word! Help spread the word about this incredible opportunity by sharing this post with your network, especially those passionate about driving change in Africa. Let's empower our women and youth to take the lead in creating a brighter future for our continent. Techtrends Zambia, Women In Technology Network About Intel Community Reach Program: Intel is dedicated to accelerating digital equity and inclusion globally through its Community Reach programs. By partnering with local organizations, Intel aims to enable access to technology skills and resources, empowering communities to thrive in a digital world. 

As the #ConnectedAfricaSummit 2024 comes to a close , I'm excited to share news of four #EU funded reports released by the European Commission on Open Internet access in Africa. I had the privilege of developing the #Burundi model on behalf of Stantec, which involved creating a scalable strategy and roadmap underpinned by robust research. I've been truly impressed by how Burundi, despite its history of war, has managed to cultivate a thriving digital economy and embrace open internet principles. This progress has been made possible through forward-thinking legislation like the National Development Plan (PND) 2018-2027, as well as strategic partnerships and investments aimed at expanding the country's skilled workforce. 🚩 Partnerships have particularly empowered young people and women through various initiatives, including Miss Tech Burundi, eSkills 4 Girls, and #ITU EQUALS #Tech4Girls digital skills programs. Additionally, specialized projects like the E-health OpenClinic deployment by Burundi’s Ministry of Public Health and enhanced internet competency training by the Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISTEEBU) have significantly improved efficiency in data collection and analysis. 🚩 Collaborative efforts such as the UN Women and African Girls Can Code program, KIT- Digital Innovation HUB's partnership with the Women Tech Global movement, and Bujahub's tailored digital development bootcamps for women have provided valuable skills and mentorship opportunities for startups. 👏 I am immensely grateful for the knowledge and support shared by Francis olivier Cubahiro, Jean Paul Nkurunziza, Ingabire Parfait, Spès Nimbona, Cassien Gashirahamwe, Chris Clement Igiraneza , Abiyah David, and Hans Massisa of BujaHub among others. Special thanks to Wim Degezelle, Alba Merillas Dochao, and @Anca Andreescu for your guidance and support. The innovative models from #Senegal, #Kenya, and #SouthAfrica are equally inspiring and worth exploring for other countries. See more here : https://lnkd.in/dZrWFDpK #openinternet #digitalisation #digitalinclusion #internetconnectivity #GirlsinIct #stem #D4Dhub African Union