Empowering Women in Tech: Wtech Africa’s Journey towards Inclusive Leadership

By Staff Writer

Wtech Africa has quickly established itself as a formidable force, driving innovation and progress in the everevolving world of technology. Breaking away from traditional norms and stereotypes, this NGO is spearheading a movement that aims to redefine the role of women in the tech industry. It is not just about writing lines of code; it is a transformative journey that empowers women to push boundaries, challenge limitations, and shape the future. Wtech Africa is deeply committed to promoting women’s empowerment in the tech sector.

Wtech’s programs are designed to enhance women’s competence in digital skills, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in the tech industry. Workshops, training, and mentorship programs equip women with the knowledge and confidence they need to excel in this field. At Wtech, the belief is that breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity will advance a tech industry that reflects our society’s diversity and harnesses its members’ full potential. The target audience is diverse, ranging from the girl child to senior female citizens, all aspiring to acquire digital skills. Wtech identifies and reaches out to this audience through surveys, polls, skills gap analysis, and active engagement on social media platforms.

At the core of Wtech’s initiatives are various programs designed to equip women with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in leadership positions within the tech industry. These initiatives include digital skill training, mentorship programs, networking, scenario planning, and forums. Though her head office is in Lagos, the initiative has a broad reach, including virtual sessions that attract participants across Africa. The organisation has proudly stated, “We recognise that gender biases and stereotypes have long hindered women’s progress in this male-dominated industry. Therefore, we have made it our mission to challenge these norms and create a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape”.

Over the years, these initiatives have achieved significant milestones. In 2020, for example, the Project Management training focused on ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) version 4, aimed to equip women with project management skills for sustainable income and value delivery. The goal was to assist women already working in tech in understanding the best approach to quality products and service delivery. In 2021, Wtech conducted webinars on leveraging technology for growth and career advancement alongside digital marketing training and AWS Cloud Practitioner 1.0. These initiatives exposed participants to various technologies and tools, helping them understand key trends in the digital marketing landscape and providing knowledge of cloud computing opportunities.

In 2022, Wtech expanded the AWS Cloud Practitioner program, certifying 500 women in cloud computing. Additionally, the “Girls Go Cloud 2.0” initiative, held on International Women’s Day, celebrated the achievements of over

2,000 trained girls, encouraging them to pursue STEM and other technologyrelated careers. In 2023, the focus on Digital Cloud Transformation and Cloud Maven (IC3 fundamentals) exposed participants to various cloud platforms and tools, enhancing their understanding of AWS Cloud skills.

The importance of having women in leadership positions in the tech industry cannot be overstated. Diverse leadership teams, inclusive of women, lead to more innovative and inclusive product development. Women in leadership can influence company policies, address biases, and advocate for more equitable practices, reducing gender disparities in the tech industry. Moreover, they serve as role models, inspiring more women and girls to pursue careers in STEM and techrelated fields.

Wtech understands the weight of collaboration in advancing agendas; the NGO collaborates with research institutes, government parastatals, NGOs, and partners like Makintouch Consulting, as well as colleges and other educational institutions to create impactful programs, workshops, and scholarships that encourage women to pursue STEM fields and tech-related careers. These initiatives address challenges women face in the tech sector, including societal biases, cultural barriers, and a lack of role models. Hence, Wtech provides mentorship, training, job opportunities, and a supportive community to help women overcome these challenges. Interested individuals can find information about upcoming events or training sessions related to women’s empowerment in IT and Business Management on Wtech Africa’s official website, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.

Furthermore, to evaluate the impact of Wtech Africa’s programs, a comprehensive set of key performance indicators is utilised, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness and success of the initiatives in empowering women in the tech industry. One such indicator is the training evaluations conducted before and after the programs. These evaluations allow Wtech to assess the knowledge and skills gained by the participants and measure overall satisfaction with the training. By analysing the feedback received, Wtech identifies areas of improvement and makes necessary adjustments to ensure the highest quality of education and support. In addition to training evaluations, the NGO also considers professional certifications obtained by program participants. These certifications are concrete evidence of the practical skills and expertise acquired through the programs.

Wtech proudly reports that many participants have obtained industryrecognised certifications, validating their professional competence and enhancing their employability in the tech sector. This achievement reflects the effectiveness of Wtech’s training programs in preparing women for a wide range of job opportunities in the ever-evolving field of technology. Wtech’s commitment to fostering success is further demonstrated by the impressive 90% success rate of participants in professional exams, showcasing their ability to apply their knowledge and excel in their chosen fields. As earlier stated, mentorship and networking play pivotal roles in Wtech Africa’s women’s empowerment initiatives. Mentorship allows experienced professionals to share insights, knowledge, and guidance with women entering or advancing in the tech industry. Effective mentorship accelerates career growth by offering advice, support, and connections for navigating career challenges. Wtech’s mentors serve as role models, encouraging and aiding mentees in building confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging in the tech community.

Wtech Africa’s long-term goals encompass a significant increase in women entering and thriving in techrelated fields, including leadership positions. The aim is to provide continuous access to education, training, and skill development opportunities for women in tech to align with industry needs and attain professional certifications. Additionally, there is an aspiration to advocate for policies and initiatives at both organisational and governmental levels that champion gender diversity, equal opportunities, and support for women in tech. Also, Wtech Africa seeks to forge networks and partnerships within the tech community and across sectors, creating opportunities and support systems for women.

Empowering women in tech transcends being a mere mission for Wtech Africa; it represents a steadfast commitment to building a more inclusive, diverse, and innovative future. These objectives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing critical aspects such as No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, and Sustainable Cities and Communities and thus making the organisation a model future-focused organisation.