Edo State Hosts Landmark Women Tech Innovators Summit
On March 14, 2026, Benin City in Edo State became the epicenter of female technological advancement as hundreds of women and young girls in technology and entrepreneurship converged for the Women Tech Innovators Summit. This significant gathering, organized through a collaborative effort, created a dedicated platform for learning, networking, and unlocking opportunities in fast-evolving digital fields.
Strategic Collaboration for Impact
The event was jointly hosted by Women in Blockchain Africa, She Code Africa Benin, and Trail Alley, with crucial support from the Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology and the Edo State Government. This partnership underscored a collective commitment to fostering intentional spaces where women and girls can excel in emerging technology sectors and entrepreneurial ventures.
The summit attracted key stakeholders from government bodies, technology firms, innovation hubs, and the broader Edo ecosystem. The presence of state government representatives and senior public officials highlighted the urgent priority of enhancing women's roles in the future of work and technological innovation.
Setting the Agenda with Purposeful Dialogue
The summit commenced with an insightful fireside chat featuring the co-organizers: Bernice Omiunu, founder of Women in Blockchain Africa; Jennifer Jude Whyte, Lead of She Code Africa Benin and founder of Africa of Possibilities; and Duty Osamudiamen, founder of Trail Alley. Their discussion was anchored on the United Nations theme, “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls: Advancing Emerging Tech and Innovation.”
This session powerfully called for women to transition from the peripheries of innovation to central positions of leadership, influence, and opportunity. The speakers critically examined the current landscape for women in tech, identified persistent barriers, and emphasized the necessity for women to be active architects of the innovation future, rather than passive observers.
Government Endorsement and Skill Development Focus
Commissioner for the Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology, Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi, addressed the assembly, stressing the critical importance of equipping women with technological competencies. He articulated that empowering women in digital and emerging tech domains is fundamental to driving broader social and economic progress within the state, aligning perfectly with the summit's core mission of expanding access, visibility, and opportunity.
Keynote Insights on Value Creation and Ethical AI
A major highlight was the keynote address by Ashley Immanuel, Co-Founder and COO of Semicolon, titled “From Skills to Value: Ways Women Can Become Industry-Ready in Today’s Tech Economy.” Immanuel challenged attendees to look beyond mere knowledge acquisition, urging a focus on developing relevant skills that translate into tangible, measurable value in the workplace. She provided practical guidance on employer expectations, strategic positioning for opportunities, and the importance of deliberate career navigation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Further enriching the discourse, Oluomachi Ibude, founder of Jizara Canada, delivered a session on “Human-Centered AI: Designing Technology That Reflects Our Values, Not Just Our Intelligence.” Her presentation tackled the pressing need for ethical and inclusive frameworks in artificial intelligence development. Ibude explored how AI systems often perpetuate the biases and blind spots of their creators, advocating for the intentional integration of human-centered principles to build more equitable technology.
Showcasing Innovation and Entrepreneurial Spirit
The summit dedicated space for women founders to pitch innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges. In a standout segment, female entrepreneurs presented ventures targeting issues in sustainability, commerce, and digital access.
- Lily Elsa introduced TrashPoint by Kyrus Recycling, a platform connecting households, businesses, and community aggregators to efficient waste collection and recycling systems.
- Adaeze Anagwonye presented Unimap+, a campus-centric platform designed for university communities, offering food delivery and facilitating student commerce.
Panels on Leadership and Ecosystem Support
Panel discussions formed a core part of the agenda, with sessions like “From Talent to Leadership & Entrepreneurship” featuring Mary Onoge Omokhagbor, Adaku Ekwueme, and Jobina Arinze. This conversation delved into the pathways for women to scale their careers, build sustainable businesses, access crucial opportunities, and lead with clear purpose and impact.
The event also recognized vital partners and ecosystem enablers, including Stellar West Africa, Avax, and 3MTT, whose involvement demonstrated the growing value of collaborative efforts in constructing robust pathways for women and girls in emerging technology fields.
A Resonant Success in Edo State
For many participants, the summit's significance was amplified by its location. Attendees expressed profound satisfaction, noting the rarity of such a large-scale, intentionally designed event within Edo State specifically aimed at equipping, empowering, and exposing women and girls to tech and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The Women Tech Innovators Summit transcended a mere one-day conference; it served as a powerful testament to what is achievable when ecosystem builders, community leaders, institutions, and government stakeholders unite behind a shared vision. As artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital innovation continue to reshape global industries and redefine economic opportunity, the imperative to ensure women are not marginalized is more critical than ever. In Benin City, the resounding message was unequivocal: women are prepared not just to participate in the technological future, but to actively lead and define it.
