20^th November 2016

“ Tech Innovation lab for women launches in Ghana”

The African Women Innovators Network :An initiative of the UK-based Africa Technology Business Network (ATBN) in partnership with Women in Tech Africa– the first Business Innovation Lab will take place in Ghana from January to March 2017. It will see 30 women innovators undergo a two-day innovation bootcamp giving them the tools and opportunity to work together to develop their business ideas.

This will be followed by a six-week mentorship period where selected participants will have a unique opportunity to work with other founders and tech enthusiasts across the world, building a global network of valuable contacts in the process.

Finally the programme will culminate in a Demo Day on 8th March where finalists will have an opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas for a chance to win seed funding and three months of dedicated support to help them launch their business.

Speaking on the initiative, Eunice Baguma Ball founder ATBN said “Technology startups in Africa are a rapidly growing sector, with an emerging innovation-driven ecosystem that is serving a growing consumer base and helping to create local solutions to social challenges. The Business Innovation Lab will put women at the forefront of contributing to innovation on the continent and empower them to building a better future not only for themselves but also for other women and girls in Africa”.

Ethel Cofie founder Women in Tech Africa added “Supporting women entrepreneurs is imperative for economic growth in Africa. We are therefore delighted to be part of this collaboration dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs to succeed across Africa”

Applications are now open for the Business Innovation Lab Ghana! Apply here: http://www.awinafrica.org

Notes to Editors:

About the African Women Innovators Network

The African Women Innovators network is an initiative of the Africa Technology Business Network working in partnership with Ghana-based Women in Tech Africa and is funded by Comic Relief and DFID under the Common Ground Initiative fund.

About Africa Technology Business Network

The Africa Technology Business Network (ATBN) is a social enterprise working to support technology and entrepreneurship as tools for addressing key challenges in Africa.

We work with entrepreneurs, organisations and investors to accelerate innovative solutions that unlock new market opportunities and help to drive sustainable development in Africa. Visit www.africatbn.com to learn more.

About Women in Tech Africa:

Women in Tech Africa is a pan-African network of women in over 30 countries that is dedicated to supporting African women to leverage technology to positively impact their communities. Visit www.womenintechafrica.com to learn more.

Press Release

London, UK, September 8th, 2016

Africa Tech Summit London announces Erik Hersman as keynote speaker for 2016

Today, Africa Tech Summit London has announced its keynote address and speaker line up for the event bringing together technology leaders from across Africa and Europe, international investors, entrepreneurs and leading African start-ups.

This year’s visionary keynote address will be given by Erik Hersman, leading entrepreneur and technologist focused on advancing the use of technology in Africa.

“We are delighted and honoured to announce Erik Hersman as our keynote for his unparalleled vision, passion, and contribution to the African tech ecosystem” says Andrew Fassnidge, co-organiser of Africa Tech Summit London.

Erik is the CEO of BRCK, a rugged wireless WiFi device designed and engineered in Kenya for use throughout the emerging markets. In 2010 he founded the iHub, Nairobi’s innovation hub for the technology community, bringing together entrepreneurs, hackers, designers and the investment community.

He is also a co-founder of Ushahidi, the free and open source software for crowdsourcing crisis information, and also established afrigadget.com and whiteafrican.com and is general partner in the Savannah Fund.

“Erik has been the driving force behind so many key initiatives that have put African technology on the global stage, encouraging inward investment and inspiring an ecosystem of start-ups and techies who are now building Africa’s future through technology. His passion and optimism for Africa are exactly what the Africa Tech Summit London is all about.”

This exclusive apply to attend Summit organised by Appsafrica.com, South Africa DTI and AllAmber is supported by Linklaters LLP, LeapFrog Investments, Mobi Hunter and Analyse Africa. The event will be hosted by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the SA High Commission in London.

“The DTI is committed to promoting innovation and development across the continent of Africa, not in South Africa alone,” says Thobile Mazibuko, DTI Economic Counsellor at the South African High Commission.

“We look forward to welcoming those who wish to see Africa realise its considerable potential in the tech space”.

The event will host 20+ expert speakers including Vodafone Group, Atlas Mara, Opera Software, Nest.VC, VC4Africa, ABAN, Singularity Investments, Worldreader, Bitpesa, The Bandwidth Barn, SimbaPay, Big Cabal Media, Balancing Act, What3words, WeFarm, HotelOga, Fintech Circle Innovate and other leading ventures providing attendees with the latest insight on mobile innovation, fintech and investment opportunities across the continent.

• Ends –

About Appsafrica.com

AppsAfrica.com is a leading pan-African technology news portal and advisory service, dedicated to delivering the latest insight on mobile, tech and innovation in Africa. AppsAfrica Advisory provides strategic, tactical and operational Africa advisory services for mobile and tech ventures planning to launch or expand in Sub-Saharan Africa with a team of experienced advisors.

About the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

The South African Department of Trade and Industry based at the SA High Commission in London oversees the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the UK and South Africa. The DTI actively promotes FDI into priority sectors of the South African economy, and seeks to provide access for South African exports to the UK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Andrew Fassnidge

Appsafrica.com / Africatechsummit.com

Email: andrew@appsafrica.com

www.appsafrica.com / www.africatechsummit.com

Lyndsey Duff

DTI Inward Investment, South African High Commission UK

Email: lyndsey@sadti.co.uk

www.thedti.gov.za

The Appsafrica.com Innovation Awards celebrate the best in mobile and tech from across Africa, and entries are now open to find the best innovations across the continent for 2016.

Following the success of last year’s Awards which celebrated 10 winners from over 200 entries across 21 countries, the Awards return to Cape Town in association with Mobile Monday South Africa, Mobile Ecosystem Forum and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and winners will be announced on November 14^th.

10  Categories

Appsafrica.com welcomes applications in 10 categories from ventures who can clearly demonstrate innovation using mobile or technology to meet the needs of any African market(s)

• Disruptive Innovation Award
• Best Social & Messaging Award
• Best African App Award
• Enterprise Solution Award
• News & Entertainment Award
• Educational Award
• Fintech Award
• Social Impact Award
• Brand On Mobile Award
• Women In Tech Award  

Why enter?

The Awards celebrate the best in mobile and tech from across Africa, providing winners with global publicity across multiple channels, recognition and networking with 500+ industry peers and investors at the Awards party.

Applications will be assessed by a team of expert judges who are selected based on their knowledge, influence and contribution to the improvement of technology and business in Africa. The deadline for entries is September 10^th, 2016.
The Appsafrica.com Innovation Awards finalists will be announced in October 2016. Enter now or visit www.appsafrica.com for more details.

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On Tuesday 12 July, Women in Tech Africa held its very first meetup event in Ireland in Dublin centre, under the theme: “Women in tech: Leveraging off our potential to make a meaningful impact“. Sponsored and hosted by DogPatch Labs, an organisation which serves as a hub for technology meetups and a co-working space for growing tech startups, the event was organised in partnership with House of Akina, a social-enterprise that uses its profits to empower and support migrant women in Ireland.

The event was attended by professionals as well as students, coming from a range of technology and non technology-related backgrounds, comprised of data analysts, network & telecom engineers, software developers as well as people from a tech background who evolved their careers into business management.

Sessions began with a presentation of Women in tech Africa which highlighted the organisation’s mission and vision, and ongoing activities to empower women in tech in Africa involving also women in tech in the Diaspora to contribute to Africa’s advancement through technology.

Round table discussions on the main theme followed, seeking to address the following questions:

• What is our potential as women in tech in the African Diaspora?
• What is holding us back to bring in our contribution?
• How can we make a difference ?
• How technology can assist in achieving that?

Inspiring and impactful comments came from the discussions, including the following:

• The Diaspora contribution should not be limited to financial remittances. Our experiences in tech and skills can be used to complement ongoing actions by people in Africa.
• Working together is the key, together we are stronger and we can achieve great things. Meetups are an opportunity to make connections and be complementary in our potential actions.
• Technology being one of the key drivers of Africa’s growth currently, leveraging off our expertise as women in tech to make a contribution through technology is essential.
• The challenge for African Diaspora women in tech is to be aware of the changes ongoing in Africa when we are not physically present there. It is essential to initiate collaboration and partnerships with local organisations/tech innovators/women in tech to understand the needs and how our contribution can come in support is essential.

Discussions continued during a networking session around food and drinks kindly offered by the event sponsor.

The meetup enabled women in tech who attended:

• To share their experiences in tech
• To be inspired by panellists inputs and other attendees’ comments is on the main discussion
• To network with other attendees and develop connections for potential partnership projects

The event was a great fun and the participants’ feedback were positive and encouraging. As noted one contributor : ” tomorrow starts now” for the women in tech Africa chapter in Ireland.

A coding workshop is being organised in the weeks to come, and another meetup in the last week of September during the Women in tech Africa week.

By Nicaise Ishimwe

On the 15th July, we had the honors of having the CEO of Digicel Haiti Selorm Adadevoh to be our resource person for our very first  twitter chat on leadership. In case you missed the live chat. Below are the questioned we asked him and his answers. Enjoy!

1. Tell us about your career journey and how you became the CEO of Digicel Haiti

Answer

Very long story. I started my career in the UK in 1998 for a Construction co. called Taylor Woodrow.

At the time I was a Civil Engineer but had an interest to be part of the emerging economy in IT.

I joined Tigo in Ghana to pursue my dream to be CEO.

Getting to CEO was really about delivering results as a COO

I believe strong leadership and building teams was the main driver to get to CEO.

After 3 years at Tigo I got an opportunity to join Digicel.

At Wharton, My life changed and my dream was to become CEO.

After several years building solutions for TelCos mainly, I decided to go to go do an MBA.

My career as a Technology Consultant at HP was the start of something special.

So, I quit and started looking at Technology opportunities. After a few bumps, I joined HP.

2. What can one do to ensure career growth?

Answers

Tricky question I have to say

Firstly, I believe understanding the specific skills needed to move up. Not as easy as it sounds

Secondly, having a great mentor who can give you sound and objective feedback regularly.

It’s too easy to fall when obstacles show up. They will, but the more determined one finds a way.

Lastly, it’s about the individual. You have to want it enough to be determined to put in the effort.

3. What opportunities or resources can one take advantage of to grow a career?

Answers

I’ve relied a lot on listening to personal stories on TedX and Harvard Business Reviews…

I’ve only invested a lot of time mtg people who have overcome similar challenges to learn from them.

A lot actually. I find that today, in trying to build teams I rely a lot on my network.

Most of my last few roles have been because I got a call from someone in my network.

4. What is your take on asking for new roles in your organisation?

Answers

Personally, I don’t ask for new roles but I ask for new challenges.

To go up, you need to demonstrate capability – asking for new challenges & delivering paves the way

5. How does volunteering roles help with career growth? Does it help atall

Answers

Volunteering roles could be anything you want them to be and that’s the beauty of it.

I volunteered for 3 months at an IT shop when I was determined to move into Technology

My goal was clear to learn a new trade to drive my career. I’ve also volunteered to give back

My motivation then was to contribute to the development of others. Both have played a role

Personally, I don’t ask for new roles but I ask for new challenges.

6. How can one quickly become a strong contributor within an organization?

Answer

It really starts with understanding what the organization needs but also what is valued.

I find that what is valued is not always what is needed. When I have been a strong contributor

I have found that what I believe and what is valued tends to be aligned.

On considering values and aligning

Answer

I will agree. The alignment though depends on whether your values will support that

I have walked away a few times because I refused to align

My values were conflicted with what the organization valued

7. How can one effectively take diverse roles while sticking to their career paths?

Answers

I have a concept called “optionality”. Meaning developing multiple skills to always remain relevant.

Taking diverse roles where one is developing complementary skill set prepares one for career growth.

8. What is your take on the number of years one can serve in an organisation before moving on to a new job?

Answer

I’m the wrong person I think. I’ve worked for 18 years and my longest role has been 2 years

I think it will be wrong to stipulate an ideal number of years. To me, it’s about continued growth

I’ve changed roles or moved organizations to move up, never only for financial benefits.

Once you stop learning, plus you stop contributing to the growth of others, then it’s time to move on

Finally go in with no expectation and put in a lot of effort to demonstrate relevance

9. Tell Us about your Leadership style and how that has helped on the journey

Answer

Personally I tend to be a development focused leader which shapes my leadership interaction

However, I’ve learnt over the years that I’m more of a visionary leader based on leadership style

That involves leading by inspiring and challenging the status quo

It also means getting people to perform close to their best through development and coaching

Leadership is something I continue to develop in, I read a lot and try out new things everyday.

In my world, leadership is dynamic and my style somewhat adapts depending on what is needed.

“To end, I will say, be sure what you believe and never compromise on it” – Selorm Adadevoh