Women in DeFi Unveils Speaker Lineup for 2026 Summit in Lagos
In a significant move to address the gender disparity within emerging technologies, Women in DeFi (WID) has officially announced the roster of speakers for its highly anticipated 2026 Summit. The event is scheduled to take place at The Zone Tech Park in Gbagada, Lagos, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This initiative is part of a broader mission to accelerate the transition of African women into leadership and technical positions within the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Summit Theme and Structure
The summit, themed 'Beyond the Bridge: African Women Leading the Future of Web3,' is designed to be a transformative experience. It will feature a high-impact keynote address, a founder fireside chat, three specialised panel discussions, and technical lightning talks. These sessions are meticulously crafted to equip African women with the essential skills and knowledge required to lead in the global decentralised economy.
Anchoring the event as the Gold Sponsor is Zcash, a privacy-centric cryptocurrency that leverages zero-knowledge cryptography to enable secure, surveillance-free transactions. This partnership underscores the summit's focus on privacy as a fundamental standard in the digital economy.
Keynote and Featured Speakers
Leading the charge as the Keynote Speaker is Tejumade Tejuosho, a distinguished leader in the African tech ecosystem. Her address is expected to set a powerful tone for a day dedicated to innovation, leadership, and the tangible future of Web3 across the continent.
The summit is structured around three critical pillars of the Web3 space:
- Stablecoins, Tokenisation, and Financial Innovation: This panel will feature Blessing F. Nduka, Jennifer Chinelo, and Sarah Wahinya, moderated by Vivian Adeniyi, discussing the future of decentralised finance for African women.
- Funding, Founding, and the Female Factor in DeFi and Blockchain: Industry pioneers Progress Ochuko (Koxy), MaryCynthia Amarachi, Chisom Edwin (Crypto Mama), and Chidubem Emelimadu will share insights in this high-stakes session.
- From Skill to Stack: Transitioning Into Web3 as a Builder: Moderated by Toria Dickson, this technical and career-focused session will feature Ayomide Oluwashinabajo, Nkechi Enebeli, and Dr. Eloho Erezi-Kesi, providing a roadmap for moving from learning to professional execution.
Additional Sessions and Hosts
In a Fireside Founder's Session, WID Founder Sarah Idahosa will engage with moderator Onone Peace Ega to discuss building sustainable Web3 communities and the strategic vision for African women in the digital age.
The summit will also include rapid-fire technical and professional insights from Faith Njah (AI x Web3), Ayomide Junaid (Crypto Compliance in Africa), and Beatrice Eneje (Personal Branding for Women in Tech).
Hosting duties will be handled by Akintola Oluwapelumi (Flames), with Giwa Sheedah (Qingthecreator) conducting in-depth speaker interviews. Simbiat Lawal will lead guest and crowd interviews, capturing the pulse of attendees throughout the day.
Mission and Impact
The WID Summit serves as the flagship conference of the Women in DeFi community, bringing together women from across Africa who are actively building, leading, and growing in the Web3 space. Its mission is straightforward yet powerful: to create an inclusive space where women, whether they are seasoned builders, career starters, or those looking to transition into Web3, can connect, learn, and grow collectively.
Through the support of Zcash, the event will highlight the necessity of 'encrypted money for everyone,' reinforcing the idea that privacy is not merely a feature but an essential standard for the global digital economy. This summit represents a pivotal step towards fostering gender equality and innovation in the blockchain and decentralised finance sectors across Africa.
