Inaugural Women in STEM Africa Summit to Champion Borderless Innovation in Nairobi

By Bruno Aero

The Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) has officially announced the inaugural Women in STEM Africa Summit 2025, a groundbreaking event set to take place from July 8 to 10, 2025 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The event, themed "Borderless Innovation: Pioneering Global Technology Solutions for Africa's Challenges," will run alongside the prestigious Africa Technology Show and China Trade Week Kenya, which are celebrating their 10th anniversary.

The Women in STEM Summit is poised to become a pivotal platform for empowering women across Africa in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Organized by WITIA, the summit aims to break gender barriers, amplify the voices of African women in tech, and foster inclusive innovation ecosystems across the continent.

"The future of Africa's technological advancement hinges on the full and equitable participation of its women," said Dr. Bella Namango, Board Member of WITIA. "The Women in STEM Summit is a testament to our collective commitment to dismantling barriers, fostering innovation, and ensuring that African women are at the forefront of shaping our continent’s digital and scientific landscape."

A High-Powered Agenda

The three-day summit will feature over 30 powerhouse speakers, including renowned scientists, innovators, policy makers, and industry leaders. Key topics will span across:

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Career pathways, ethical AI, and developmental applications – with input from Safaricom.

Fintech: Featuring Radhika Bhachu, Founder of Ndovu, discussing the role of women in Africa’s FinTech revolution.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection: Expert insights from Dr. Bright Gameli, ICT Advisor at USIU, and Pharace Moraa Nyang`au, Senior Manager.

Green Engineering and Climate Innovation: Sustainable solutions by women, led by Ruby Alcantara.

Tech for Good: Social impact innovations presented by Grace Murugi, renowned AI and digital strategist.

Policy and Regulation: A high-level Ministerial Policy Dialogue featuring key government stakeholders from ICT, Digital Economy, MSME, Konza Technopolis, and TVET.

Driving Tangible Change

Organizers say the Summit aims to:

Boost participation of women and girls in STEM education and careers.

Forge new partnerships and innovation-driven collaborations.

Shape concrete policy recommendations promoting gender equity in tech.

Inspire the next generation of African female leaders and innovators.

Elevate African women's achievements on a global scale.

Unique Synergy

Co-locating the summit with Africa Technology Show and China Trade Week Kenya offers participants a rare opportunity to connect with a broader ecosystem of tech leaders, investors, and global trade partners. This strategic alignment is expected to open new doors for African women innovators to scale their solutions and enter international markets.

With a strong focus on empowerment, innovation, advocacy, networking, and visibility, the Women in STEM Africa Summit 2025 is expected to be a transformative event, setting the stage for inclusive technological progress on the continent.