The Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 opened today at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi with a strong call for governments, private sector, academia and investors to increase investment in women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
The two day summit is organised by Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) in partnership with UNESCO, and runs from 3rd to 4th September 2026.
Themed Discovering Talent,Driving Innovation Shaping Africa’s Future the summit has brought together policymakers, educators, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, researchers, students and development partners.
The conference discusses leadership, policy, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, research and opportunities for women and girls in STEM.
The Summit was presided over by cabinet secretary of Education Hon Migos Ogamba as Chief guest who said Africa cannot build a competitive economy by producing ideas without creating pathways for those ideas to become enterprises, He noted that women and young innovators need access to skills, financing, markets and networks.
Speaking at KICC CS Migos said Africa must move beyond generating ideas and create practical pathways for women innovators to turn innovations into sustainable businesses.Education systems should identify and nurture STEM talent among girls from an early age.
The Africa we want to build will require a generation that is confident in science, technology, engineering and mathematic, adding that girls should be given equal opportunities to learn, experiment innovate and lead.The summit aims to address a persistent gender gap.Data from UNESCO shows women make up less than 30 percent of researchers in sub-Saharan Africa with even lower representation in engineering and computer science.
The conference will include a youth led startup innovation challenge a technology exhibition and a ministerial roundtable on inclusive STEM policy.
The summit concludes tomorrow 4th September with recommendations expected for governments seeking to increase participation of girls and women in STEM education and careers and a call for greater investment in women education and innovation to drive Africa's future.
