The 2024 edition of the Wetech Conference marked a significant milestone in Africa’s growing technology landscape, celebrating five years of empowering women in tech and entrepreneurship. Held on Saturday at the Landmark Event Center in Lagos, this year’s conference drew over 1,500 attendees from across Africa and beyond, including tech entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and thought leaders. The theme for this year, “5 Years of Women Redefining Technology and Entrepreneurship,” spotlighted the remarkable progress women have made in technology and entrepreneurship and set the stage for future female leaders to drive Africa’s digital transformation accordingly.
Since its inception, the Wetech Conference has provided a crucial platform for women in the tech space to share their experiences, foster innovation, and collaborate on ideas that are shaping the future of technology across Africa. Co-founded by Gabriella and Flora Uwadiegwu, Wetech, this annual event consistently creates a vibrant platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange for women at every stage of their tech careers.
“We’ve come a long way in five years. Wetech has been instrumental in driving inclusion in Africa’s tech ecosystem, and women have made incredible strides in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This conference stands as a testament to their resilience and vision,” said Gabriella Uwadiegwu, Co-founder and President of Wetech, during her fireside chat with Lady Kay.
PitchHER Competition: A Highlight of Women-led Innovation
The PitchHER competition, a key feature of the conference, spotlighted some of the most promising women-led startups in Africa. Sponsored by Flutterwave, the competition provided female entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of top investors and technology executives, with the grand prize of 4 million Naira aimed at helping scale their ventures. This year’s lineup of contestants was diverse and dynamic, featuring Ruby Ihekweme, Founder of Digitaley Drive; Uchechi Arinze, CEO of WafflesAI; Ngozi Nwabueze, Founder/CEO of Pocket Lawyers; Esther Eruchie, Founder of FriendnPal; and Omolara Sanni, Co-founder/COO of Midddleman.
Conversely, the competition was a fierce display of talent, creativity, and innovation, with each founder showcasing unique solutions to pressing issues in sectors ranging from legal services and artificial intelligence to personal finance and social networking. The participants impressed the judges with their business acumen and innovative approaches to solving real-world challenges in Africa.
After a series of powerful presentations, Omolara Sanni the Co-founder of Midddleman was declared the winner of the 4 million Naira grand prize. Her business, Midddleman, enables commercial business to pay their suppliers in China by funding their Alipay wallets. The win also earned her 12 months of access to SpurtX, a platform designed to help startups scale and achieve growth.
Gabriella Uwadiegwu, Co-founder of Wetech, congratulated all the participants and praised their entrepreneurial spirit. “These women represent the future of Africa’s tech landscape. Their ideas are not just bold but transformative, and we’re excited to provide a platform that supports their growth,” she said, commending the contestants for their courage and innovation in tackling real-world problems with technology-driven solutions.
Empowering Women in Tech: Insightful Panel Sessions and Discussions
In addition to the PitchHER competition, the Wetech Conference offered attendees a variety of thought-provoking panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops led by some of Africa’s leading women in technology. Industry experts tackled important topics such as cloud infrastructure, venture capital, and strategies for career advancement in tech. These sessions provided invaluable insights into the challenges women face in the tech industry and strategies for overcoming them.
The panel discussion on ‘Strategies for Career Advancement in Tech,’ moderated by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of FutureSoft Resources Limited, stood out as one of the highlights of the event. Panelists include Samira Nwaturuocha, Co-founder and Risk, Governance, and Security Leader at Scuriti Limited; Folake Owodunni the winner of the Aurora Tech Award in 2023, CEO of Emergency Response Africa; and Antoinette Edodo, Chief Strategy Officer at Heirs Technologies, Bode Abifarin, CEO Strata shared their experiences navigating leadership roles and provided actionable advice for women looking to climb the tech ladder.
The keynotes delivered at the conference further highlighted the central role women are playing in shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy. Adora Nwodu, in her keynote “How Data Keeps the Lights On,” emphasized the critical role data plays in decision-making processes for businesses, while other speakers focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Exhibitions, Workshops, and Networking: Engaging the Tech Community
Beyond the panel discussions and keynotes, Wetech 2024 also featured a Tech Expo where women-led tech companies and innovators exhibited their latest products and solutions. This hands-on exhibition allowed attendees to engage directly with creators and experience cutting-edge technology firsthand. Companies specializing in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and sustainable business practices presented their products, opportunities, services, and communities, providing the audience with an inspiring glimpse into the future of tech innovation in Africa.
Furthermore, workshops on high-demand topics like cloud computing, venture capital, and sustainable business practices were designed to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the tech ecosystem. These specialized sessions were led by experts and provided participants with practical takeaways for growing their careers or scaling their businesses.
Moreover, networking was a central element of the conference, with numerous opportunities for attendees to connect with top industry leaders, hiring organizations, investors, and fellow professionals. Specifically, the event featured a series of networking mixers designed to foster meaningful collaborations and partnerships. Notably, representatives from key organizations such as Heirs Technologies were present to scout talent and form strategic alliances with promising startups.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action for Women in Tech
Thus, as the Wetech Conference 2024 drew to a close, Flora Uwadiegwu, Co-founder and Vice President issued a call to action for women across Africa to continue pushing boundaries in technology and entrepreneurship. “This event isn’t just a celebration it’s a call to action. We are equipping women with the resources, community, and opportunities they need to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” she said.
Therefore, the conference’s success reflects Wetech’s commitment to empowering women in technology and creating an inclusive tech ecosystem that reflects the diversity of its users. Furthermore, as the event concluded, the atmosphere was one of excitement and optimism for the future of women in tech, with many participants leaving inspired and ready to take the next step in their professional journeys.
Sponsors and Partners
Aurora Tech Award by inDrive — Gold Sponsor
The Award is an annual global prize established by inDrive to recognise and empower women entrepreneurs in IT. inDrive, a leading global mobility and urban services platform, operates in over 700 cities across 45 countries on five continents.
With more than 150 million downloads, inDrive is ranked second globally among mobility services on both the Play Store and App Store.
The call for applications for this year’s Aurora Tech Award is now open until November 21st. Click here to apply.
ICP Hub Sahara — Gold Sponsor
Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is a groundbreaking blockchain platform enabling scalable, secure, and cost-effective decentralized applications. With features like Chain Fusion for cross-chain interoperability and customizable Subnets, ICP powers Web3 innovation, real-world asset tokenization, and advanced digital solutions.
Flutterwave — PitchHER Award Sponsor
Flutterwave, a leading American fintech that empowers global merchants with innovative payment solutions gave the winner of the PitchHer contest a ₦4 million funding prize.
Their dedication to mentoring women entrepreneurs makes their partnership with Wetech an exciting boost for tech dreams!
International Breweries Nigeria, part of AB InBev — Bronze Sponsor
Through the International Breweries Foundation, they enrich communities and foster sustainable growth by empowering entrepreneurs.
Standard Chartered — Bronze Sponsor
With a legacy of over 160 years, Standard Chartered has been at the forefront of driving sustainable economic growth across the globe. Their commitment in particular to creating positive impacts in the communities they serve aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited to collaborate with them in making this event a success.
Archangel Fund — Bronze Sponsor
Archangel Fund is at the forefront of building a more equitable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across Africa and its diaspora. By investing in and supporting women-led startups, they drive innovative solutions that have the power to transform communities and change lives.
Anita B — Exhibition Partner
AnitaB is dedicated to building a tech world that mirrors the diversity of its users. They empower women and non-binary technologists through programmes that inspire, connect, and support their growth in technical fields. By collaborating with organisations and academic institutions, AnitaB helps individuals reach their full potential.
Spurt! — Strategic Partner
Spurt! is a dynamic consultancy firm dedicated to accelerating growth in emerging markets through innovative business solutions. Hence, their expertise in strategy, operations, and digital transformation will provide invaluable insights, helping to shape the future of our shared initiatives.
Heirs Technologies — Strategic Partner
Heirs Technologies is a leading innovator in the tech space, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive digital transformation across industries. With a focus on excellence and a commitment to empowering businesses, Heirs Technologies leverages advanced technology to create impactful, scalable solutions.
WEAV Capital — Founder Mixer Sponsor
Founded by Amaka Okechukwu Opara, WEAV Capital specifically supports bold female founders across Africa. Their support made the networking mixer a great chance to connect with industry leaders and peers.
Techmoonshot — Media Partner
Techmoonshot is an online media platform dedicated to spotlighting groundbreaking technological innovations across Africa. Their mission specifically, is to elevate African voices in the tech ecosystem, providing a dynamic space for insightful storytelling that captures the essence of the continent’s vibrant tech landscape.
Building a More Diverse Tech Future
Ultimately, Wetech 2024 served as a powerful reminder of the exceptional talent and potential women bring to the tech sector. In conclusion, the conference significantly fostered collaboration, provided valuable learning opportunities, and highlighted the crucial role women play in Africa’s technological future.
Looking ahead, as Wetech prepares for its next chapter, the vision remains clear: to continue driving inclusion and innovation, while empowering women to take the lead in shaping the future of Africa’s tech ecosystem.
