Visibility and Innovation: Women in Tech

Basant Helmi, founder of Women in Business, opened the discussion with a compelling appeal to the importance of networking: “It is not enough to just run a good business. You need to build networks from the beginning and connect with other women. The impact of these networks is immense.” She also emphasized that collaboration between women from different countries, such as Egypt, Germany, and Senegal, is a valuable resource.

This sentiment was echoed by Marwa Soudi, an Egyptian entrepreneur and expert in digital transformation. She pointed out the structural challenges women face, such as caregiving responsibilities or outdated mindsets, and urged: “Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about the people who use it. We must ensure that women are included in this process to develop the best solutions.” She highlighted the importance of supporting women in digital transformation and providing them with the tools to succeed.

“There are still many prejudices that prevent women from succeeding in technical professions,” emphasized Fibi Nguyen, founder and CEO of Aimino Tech. “We need to actively break down these stereotypes and show that women are just as capable of developing innovative solutions.” She encouraged the participants to support one another and celebrate their achievements.

Judy Ngure, founder of WoSec Kenya, pointed out that, in addition to the almost universal challenges, there are also country-specific obstacles women face. Access to education, infrastructure, or technology varies across African countries and can sometimes be difficult. She therefore called for active support for women in the IT sector, particularly in cybersecurity. She stressed the need for visibility and role models: “It is crucial that we share stories of successful women in technology. When young women see that it is possible to succeed in this field, they are encouraged to pursue their own paths.

This visibility was important to all the speakers. Role models strengthen the role of women in the digital world. Basant summed it up: “Look at how many successful businesswomen there are in this field and talk about them.” A first step was taken with this inspiring TECHimpulse. The next online event of TECHimpulse will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, on the topic “Academic-Industry Partnerships.” All information about the TECH4Transition project can be found on the project homepage.