The government has been urged to move beyond increasing access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and create a clear pathway for women to progress into research, entrepreneurship, investment and technology leadership.
The call was made on Thursday, September 3,2026, during the second Women in STEM Africa Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), which brought together policymakers, educators, investors, researchers, technology founders, and students.
The two-day summit, convened by Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) in partnership with UNESCO, is focused on identifying talent, accelerating innovation and expanding opportunities for women in the technology sector.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, who was the chief guest, said Africa needs to create pathways that enable ideas developed in classrooms and laboratories to become viable businesses and solutions.
He called for increased access to skills, financing, markets and professional networks, particularly for women seeking to establish and grow enterprises.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the continent’s development would depend on a generation equipped to understand and apply STEM skills.
He said girls should be given opportunities to study, experiment, develop ideas and take leadership roles in science and technology.
Speakers said schools should not only prepare learners for employment but also equip them with skills to develop knowledge, products and solutions to challenges facing communities.
The government has committed to increasing STEM classrooms and laboratories while encouraging universities to work more closely with industry to provide market-relevant skills.
Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Beatrice Muganda Inyangala called for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry and the wider innovation ecosystem.
She said universities should serve as centres for research and problem-solving while creating clearer opportunities for women scientists and engineers to take their work from laboratories into communities and businesses.
Organisers said women account for about 31 per cent of researchers globally, with Africa continuing to record a significant gap in women’s participation in research and innovation.
They called for women’s participation in STEM to be prioritised through education, digital infrastructure, research and entrepreneurship.
The summit also featured a startup pitch session that brought emerging businesses before investors and industry partners. WITIA awarded the winning team Sh500,000 and provided introductions aimed at supporting the venture’s growth.
WITIA founder Eunice Pohlmann said the focus should be on ensuring women are actively involved in designing technology systems, running companies, leading research institutions and shaping policy.
Partnerships lead Gracie Wamwandu said building an inclusive technology ecosystem required cooperation among different institutions and stakeholders.
Speakers also challenged private-sector investors to support African women innovators before their businesses become established.
The summit is expected to focus on training, research, mentorship, infrastructure, financing and policies that can help women participate more fully in the digital economy.
WITIA said it would continue using technical courses, internships, scholarships and Smart Libraries to expand access to technology and help bridge gender and digital gaps.
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