HER Power, Africa's transformation: Insights for women breaking barriers in tech
Across two insightful panel discussions, a compelling keynote address and masterclass breakaways, clear themes emerged, emphasising the importance of mentorship, fostering inclusive networks, and leveraging education and technology to break barriers and drive impactful change for women across Africa.
Speakers emphasised that empowering women in tech and entrepreneurship is about more than equity—it's about transforming Africa into a hub of growth and opportunity. Sharon O'Donnell, Chief Customer Experience Officer at ALX Africa, said, "Unlocking potential through access, innovation, and intentional support doesn't just create jobs—it ignites movements, shifts narratives, and builds futures."
Keynote speaker Jeniffer Ramnath, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the importance of technology in shaping Africa's future. "The future of work is being reshaped by AI and emerging technologies, creating both challenges and opportunities for young women in Africa. By taking a women-centered approach to technology deployment, we can ensure these advances help bridge gaps, rather than widen them."
Nihal Djebli, Managing Director of AI Crafters and former director of IT industry association AUSIM , highlighted a critical issue—retaining women in leadership roles. Despite the high number of women studying STEM subjects Morocco, only 18 out of 120 AUSIM member companies had female CIOs, Djebli said. She urged women to 'break free from invisible chains', such as societal expectations and self-doubt, that hinder their growth.
The topic of imposter syndrome was tackled head-on by speakers like Melissa Slaymaker, Regional Director for Women in Tech, who reframed it as a growth opportunity. 'Imposter syndrome isn't always a bad thing. It means you are out of your comfort zone and growing. It's about changing your mindset, recognising the nerves and finding the tools to minimise them," she remarked.
Entrepreneurship was a major focus, with speakers encouraging women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures as a means to create sustainable change. Nicole Gray, Entrepreneurship Development Manager at ALX Africa, emphasised how an entrepreneurial mindset can drive impact at both community and organisational levels. 'Start where you are. Don't wait for the perfect conditions to make an impact. With the right mindset, network, and tools, you can build businesses that fuel Africa's growth,' she said.
"Africa is an interesting place to do business," shared panellist Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, CEO of HealthTracka. "Women are often underestimated, but I see that as a superpower. When they don't see you coming, you meet them with proof that you're capable, you show up, do the work, and you will make your mark on the world just by doing what you're meant to do."
Actionable advice for aspiring women in tech
Speakers shared practical steps for women looking to thrive in tech and entrepreneurship:
Break barriers with belief: Sometimes the biggest obstacles are internal. Despite being told she couldn't lead as a child, Dominion Paul defied expectations in her rural community to become the founder and CEO of LADX. Her unwavering belief drove her success. She urged women to embrace curiosity, persistence, and "intentional stubbornness" to overcome challenges. "Be delusional! Believe you can build something extraordinary. Barriers often come wrapped as advice—give yourself permission to dream big," she said.
Invest in skills development: Invest in both technical and human-focused skills like leadership and critical thinking, advised Ramnath. "The future of work will require a blend of digital literacy and uniquely human capabilities like creativity, empathy, and critical thinking." ALX's digital skills development programmes provide an excellent place to start. Leverage online learning platforms, scholarships, and grants to overcome financial barriers.
Build strong networks and engage mentors: Join communities like ALX and Women in Tech Global, attend hackathons, and seek mentorship opportunities. Slaymaker urged women to build a 'pit crew' of mentors, allies, and sponsors who can support and advocate for them. She stressed, 'Surround yourself with people who uplift you, whether it's to guide you, cheer you on, or open doors when you're not in the room.'
Leverage technology for impact: AI-enabled solutions can help optimise your career or entrepreneurial ventures, whether in education, healthcare, or agriculture. Use the resources and knowledge you have today to address local challenges. Incremental impact can lead to transformational change.
Lead with purpose and heart: Be intentional in your work and prioritise emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise. "Your story has power, and your difference is your strength. Lead not just with knowledge but also with heart," said Djebli.
Support others on the same journey:"As you rise, bring others with you", shared Ramnath, emphasising the importance of collective lifting to transform entire systems.
Africa's future is feminine, and it starts now
At the heart of this event was ALX's commitment to unlocking opportunities for young Africans in technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The ALX ecosystem of opportunity, which includes world-class training, entrepreneurial networks, and mentorship, has empowered thousands. With over 115,000 female learners and 4,065 women founders already part of their cosystem, ALX is ensuring that young women have the tools to lead Africa into a prosperous future.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
3 days ago
- The Hill
Trump is marooned on Epstein's island
It was the best of times and the worst of times for Donald Trump. He celebrated the passage of his big budget bill and his rescission package which enriched the wealthy and threw Medicaid patients, hungry American kids and starving Africans under the bus. Then the Epstein list came back around to bite him. Instead of basking in the reflected Republican glory of his defeat of the Democratic New Deal, he currently wallows in the mud of a sordid sex scandal. The intense speculation about Donald Trump's relationship to Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual escapades with young girls reveals two key problems with 47's second term. First, the president has broken a series of promises he made to the American people during the 2024 campaign. Second, he has always relied heavily on his most loyal supporters in times of trouble, but the once solid MAGA base is in is danger of coming undone. Trump's refusal to release the infamous Epstein list is just one of the many promises he made while he was soliciting votes for his return to the White House last year. He has become the typical politician who will say anything to get elected and fail to deliver when he wins. The Consumer Price Index rose by 2.7 percent in June after he told voters in 2024 that he would bring consumer costs down on Day One. Trump also claimed he could broker a peace between Ukraine and Russia in one day. The war there still drags on six months into his second term with no end in sight. The president's refusal to honor his pledge to release the Epstein list has alienated many of his strongest supporters such as right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson. Trump's betrayal of his base will come back to haunt him and other Republicans in 2026 and in 2028. He has torn the sheets with his biggest booster and most generous financial supporter, Elon Musk, over the tech magnate's hostility towards the big bad budget bill. Finally former Trump White House counselor Steve Bannon (no relation) has criticized the budget bill's tax cuts for bankers and billionaires at the expense of low-income white voters who were steadfast Trump supporters in 2024. The sorry state of the economy will eventually be Trump's undoing as it was Joe Biden's. But the Epstein scandal gives Trump great grief in the here and now. His failure to follow up on his promise to release the infamous Epstein List of sexual predators has painted a giant kick me sign on his backside. Trump's failure to redeem his campaign promises could undermine support with the independents who voted for him last year even though they had doubts about his personal peccadillos. But the bottom line for Trump's success has always been his ability to galvanize the base and he has made that difficult to do with the divisions emerging within MAGA. To defend himself against the charge that he is on the list of the Epstein sexual predators, he has resorted to desperately ridiculous explanations. He has denied the existence of the list that he once promised to release. He has claimed that the list that doesn't exist was fabricated by Biden, Barack Obama and others. His director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, a prominent player in Trump's theater of the absurd, has tried to deflect attention from Epsteingate with the unsubstantiated claim that Obama tried to mount a coup against Trump. The only factor that keeps Trump's approval rating from sinking underwater into the deepest crevices of the Pacific Ocean is the blind allegiance of MAGA members who have stuck with him through hell and high water. He sued Rupert Murdoch the Fox News jefe and owner of The Wall Street Journal after the paper published a report that Trump had drawn and given Epstein a pornographic 50th birthday card. He even belittled MAGA members when he tweeted 'My PAST supporters have bought this bulls– hook, line and sinker…Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work. …I don't want their support anymore…' Wow. The accumulation of broken campaign promises and MAGA splits could present serious problems for the president, GOP candidates in 2026 and the 2028 Republican presidential contenders. Democratic control of the House and the subsequent investigations into corruption within the Trump administration could cripple the last two years of his term. The divisions with MAGA could force a bloody Republican presidential primary fight in 2028 that could open the door for a Democrat to win the White House. Trump is marooned on Epstein's island and he is in for much more than a three-hour tour.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
World's Largest Power Station Could Provide Energy for Half of US Homes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Grand Inga Hydropower Project is moving forward after years of delays in a bid to solve southern Africa's electricity and water scarcity. Delivery of the project, which would be the largest power station in the world if completed, was accelerated after officials convened in Zimbabwe on July 3. Newsweek contacted the organization responsible for the delivery, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), for more information on the progress via email. Why It Matters The Grand Inga Hydropower Project, with a potential capacity of up to 70 gigawatts, is designed as the centerpiece of Africa's Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to connect 300 million Africans to clean energy by 2030. The average household in the U.S. uses just under 11,000 kilowatt-hours a year, meaning that if Grand Inga reaches its projected scale, it could generate enough electricity to power nearly half of all homes in the U.S., though it will be used solely for homes in Africa. What To Know The Grand Inga Dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would be a series of seven hydroelectric power stations at Inga Falls in the Congo River. SADC ministers responsible for energy and water agreed to push forward with the Grand Inga Hydropower Plan and the Congo River Water Transfer Concept at a meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, on July 3. On June 3, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a $250 million creditas the first phase of a previously announced $1 billion long-term commitment to support preparation and local development efforts for Inga 3, DRC's largest power project to date. The Inga electricity production site along the Congo River on December 16, 2013. The Inga electricity production site along the Congo River on December 16, 2013. Getty Images Constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, the Inga I and II provided a foundation, yet both function at about 80 percent capacity. Grand Inga, which would be the third structure at the site, has attracted multiple rounds of international interest, but progress has repeatedly stalled because of high costs, governance concerns and the withdrawal of major partners, such as China's state-owned Three Gorges Corporation. The projected $80 billion cost of completing the Grand Inga plan remains a huge barrier for the DRC, which is one of the world's poorest countries. South Africa, Nigeria, Guinea and Angola have expressed formal interest in purchasing power from Grand Inga, tying the project to transnational energy security. The Grand Inga initiative is part of the Mission 300 program, which aims to supply electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. World Bank President Ajay Banga called the wider project "a crucial component" for economic growth and development across the continent and predicted that it could draw as much as $85 billion in private investment. What People Are Saying Bob Mabiala, head of the ADPI-DRC, told the World Bank on June 3: "The electricity generation potential at the Inga site is one of the largest in the world. The development of Inga 3's hydropower will be transformative for DRC. By increasing access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy for Congolese households and industries, it will serve as a motor for inclusive growth and jobs." Albert Zeufack, World Bank division director, in a press release on June 3: "By supporting DRC's vision for Inga through this program and complementary investments in governance, education, and infrastructure, the World Bank Group, together with partners, can significantly contribute to converting DRC's natural resources into economic growth, jobs, and human development for the Congolese people." What Happens Next SADC ministers are expected to present progress updates on the Grand Inga and Congo River Water Transfer initiatives at the next SADC Council of Ministers meeting in Madagascar, scheduled for August.
Entrepreneur
16-07-2025
- Entrepreneur
The Sound of Scaling
Prolific COO Jemma White reflects on a decade in tech, what leadership really requires, and why the industry is well-suited to women who thrive on challenge and change. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. After more than ten years in the tech industry, Jemma White has seen what helps companies grow - and what holds them back. As the Chief Operating Officer at Prolific, a platform for recruiting participants for behavioral research, White is focused on building teams and systems that scale without relying on individual heroics. One of her biggest takeaways? The tech industry may be more suited to women than it seems. "What I really wish more women grasped is this: the ever-evolving tech landscape is tailor-made for us," she says. "It's relentless, usually made up of several sprints where one challenge runs into the next. But for those of us who are ambitious, resilient, and can pivot fast, it's unbelievably rewarding." White is direct about the realities of high-growth environments. The pace is fast, the problems complex. But finding the right company - and the right people - makes all the difference."Find a company with a team that lets you grow alongside it, and that's where the real magic happens," she says. "It's tough, but if you love a challenge and are wired to keep moving forward, tech is an incredible place to build and lead." At Prolific, one of the most significant decisions for driving growth has been focusing on hiring - not just for skill, but for stage. "Not everyone on your team is suited for every stage of growth. I don't shy away from making the tough calls," White says. "Being a leader isn't about being popular; it's about doing what's right. Bringing in exceptional people who raise the bar, then uniting them around clear company goals - that shifts the pace of delivery and ignites growth." She also challenges some persistent myths about leadership in tech. For one, it's not about who speaks the most. "One of the biggest myths about leadership in tech is that you need to constantly be the loudest voice in the room. You don't," she says. "Some of the most impactful tech leaders I've worked with are brilliant listeners - able to cut through noise, pick up subtle signals from teams across the business, and create clarity in complexity." For White, leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about designing the right environment so others can find them. She describes it as architectural: setting up systems, team structures, and decision-making frameworks that reduce dependency on any one person. Especially in remote environments, that structure becomes even more important. "Remote tech environments demand even more intentionality, energy, and decisiveness," she says. "But for those who thrive on momentum and innovation, it's an incredibly exciting place to lead." White also puts emphasis on developing future leaders, particularly women. Her approach centers on three things: visibility, opportunity, and support. "That means making sure talented women are in the room when decisions are being made, handing them the impactful problems to solve, and then backing them to lead." And she sees leadership and life as coexisting, not competing. "I genuinely love my job, and I live and breathe it most days, but I also have a family and a life, as they are not mutually exclusive," she says. "Whether that is work, life, kids, or sports - it's your attitude and energy that counts." White's perspective reflects a shift in how tech leadership is evolving - away from charisma-driven management toward systems thinking, deep listening, and sustainable performance. Her message is pragmatic, not idealistic: if you want to lead in tech, learn to listen, build well, and make space for others to do the same.
