Women in STEM Africa Summit Calls for Greater Investment in Women, Technology and Innovation

WITIA and the CS for Education officially open the Women in STEM Africa Summit.

By: Gladys Karuga

The Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 has called for deliberate and sustained investment in women and girls as Africa seeks to harness technology, innovation and scientific talent to accelerate economic development.

The two-day summit, being held on September 3 and 4 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, has brought together government officials, researchers, educators, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, students and development partners from across Africa.

The summit is being held under the theme “Discovering Talent. Driving Innovation. Shaping Africa’s Future.” It is focusing on leadership, policy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, research and expanding opportunities for women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba called for greater opportunities for girls to pursue STEM education, innovate and eventually take up leadership positions in science and technology.

Ogamba said education systems must go beyond preparing young people to seek employment and instead equip them to become creators of knowledge, technology and solutions.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening the STEM pipeline from schools so that girls who develop an interest in science and technology can progress into higher education, research, entrepreneurship and technology careers.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala called for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Inyangala said universities should become centres where research is transformed into practical solutions, innovations and businesses that address challenges facing communities.

She also called for clearer pathways for women researchers, scientists, engineers and innovators to move their work from laboratories and classrooms into the marketplace.

The summit also placed strong emphasis on the need to move women from participation to leadership and ownership within Africa’s technology and innovation economy.

WITIA Founder and Chair Eunice Pohlmann said increasing the number of women entering technology is only one part of the challenge, noting that women should also be positioned to design technologies, lead companies, conduct research, influence policy and develop solutions for Africa.

WITIA Fundraising and Partnerships Lead Gracie Wamwandu stressed the importance of collaboration between government, industry, universities, investors and development partners in creating opportunities for women innovators.

Artificial intelligence and digital transformation also featured prominently during the summit, with participants examining how Africa can develop an inclusive technology ecosystem while addressing issues surrounding responsible AI, data governance, data privacy and digital inclusion.

The discussions highlighted the need for policies that allow innovation to grow while ensuring emerging technologies benefit communities and do not deepen existing inequalities.

Another key feature of the summit is the Investor Pitch Arena, which is giving startups and innovators an opportunity to present their businesses and solutions to investors and industry leaders.

The winning startup is set to receive KSh500,000 to support its growth and expansion, while participants will also have opportunities to connect with potential investors, venture capital partners and industry experts.

The initiative seeks to address one of the major challenges facing African innovators — the gap between developing promising ideas and accessing the financing, mentorship, networks and markets required to turn those ideas into sustainable enterprises.

The summit is also focusing on strengthening the STEM pipeline through technical training, mentorship, internships, scholarships and access to digital learning resources.

Stakeholders say Africa already has significant scientific and technological talent, but deliberate systems are required to identify, nurture and retain that talent.

The organisers are calling for increased investment in STEM education, research, digital skills, infrastructure, mentorship and women-led businesses, while urging stronger partnerships between government, academia, industry and investors.

As Africa’s digital economy continues to expand, participants argue that women and girls must not remain on the margins of technological development but should be at the centre of designing, financing, governing and commercialising the technologies that will shape the continent’s future.

The Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 continues in Nairobi with further discussions on talent, innovation, investment and opportunities for women and girls in STEM.

The summit's central message is that Africa’s future will depend not only on the technologies it develops, but also on who gets the opportunity to develop, own, finance and lead them.