Digital transformation: Women in Tech Senegal aims to place women at the heart of innovation

As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, Women in Tech Senegal aims to make women key players in this revolution. Meeting this Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the French Institute of Senegal, the organization's annual summit called for strengthening women's access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) careers through training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.

Held under the theme "Building Africa through women in STEAM", the meeting brought together nearly 150 participants and 14 partner institutions for panels, workshops and interactive exchanges.

Highlighting female role models in tech

During her speech, the president of Women in Tech Senegal, Aïssatou Diouf, delivered a strong message, stating: "Women have their place in tech. If we don't give it to them, they will go and get it."

According to the manager, the main challenge facing the Senegalese digital ecosystem is not a lack of female skills, but their visibility. "We want more women to join the movement and for female professionals to become mentors to support young girls. Role models exist in this country, but they are not sufficiently highlighted," she emphasized.

Faced with the underrepresentation of women in science and technology fields, the organization relies on four key areas of action: education, training, mentoring, and partnership development. The association also plans to expand its initiatives on the ground, such as its digital literacy program deployed in Keur Tamsir, in the Diourbel region.

Positioning Africa in global digital governance

For Aïssatou Diouf, this year's theme reflects a continental ambition. "Africa must take its rightful place in the global dynamics of digital governance, artificial intelligence, and innovation. Women must be at the heart of this transformation," she stated, while calling on public authorities and the private sector to more actively support women's initiatives in tech.

Launched in 2024, the Senegalese chapter of the international Women in Tech movement claims to have already reached hundreds of beneficiaries through its awareness and capacity-building programs. Present in dozens of countries, the organization now aims to amplify its impact to build a more inclusive digital economy in Senegal and across Africa.