ORGANISE YOUR EVENT – WOMEN IN TECH WEEK

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The internationally recognized largest women’s group in Africa, Women in Tech Africa (WITA) is organizing its annual Women in Tech Week event, this September, from 26th – 30th September. The week-long event is simultaneously taking place in 40 countries with 400 event tracks with over 40,000 participants and over 400,000 social media impressions. Sponsors include  SAP, EDEL Technology Consulting,WeCreate Kenya, ISpace Foundation, Kawa Moka

 

The Women in Tech Week, is a great opportunity to put your organization at the epicenter of innovators in all industries in your community and country as a whole.
The 5-day event is bringing together women all over the world to discuss and share ideas on 5 thematic areas;

 

• Theme:  Technology Day – DAY 1
• Theme:  Leadership Day – DAY 2
• Theme:   Entrepreneur Day – DAY 3
• Theme: Work – Life Day – DAY 4
• Theme: Talent Day – DAY 5
 

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This year, we are giving individuals and organizations across Africa unique opportunities to promote their brands and works through our numerous international platforms with the aims of them

 

• Becoming visible for growth or connect with ecosystems for your company.
• Getting in front of potential new hires.
• Getting in front of potential new leads.
• Supporting the Women in Tech ecosystem.
• Positioning their organization as supporting female leadership in Africa

 

WHY YOU SHOULD ORGANIZE AN EVENT
• Your city and logo listed on the Women In Tech Week directory on the landing page; www.womenintechafrica.com/events)
• Women in Tech Week logos and brand guidelines
• A digital toolkit with helpful hints and best practices on how to best organize your event.
• Your event will be promoted to our global community including email subscribers.

 

As an organizer, you are at will to have your own theme which will have to be defended or chose a theme around any of our thematic list above. You are also at liberty to organize more than one event.
Kindly note that, all themes and events should have a strategic bearing on women or children advocacy in all fields of endeavor especially, technology.

 

Please find below instructions on how to create the event, once you are done, we will publish it to help boost attendance during the day.

 

EVENT CREATION GUIDELINES
• All events must be created and managed via the women in tech Africa website:
• Go to http://www.techweek.womenintechafrica.com/wp-login.php?action=register to Register for an account,
• You will be approved in 24 hrs. and receive an email with login details.
• Login with the password and email go to http://www.techweek.womenintechafrica.com/wp-login.php
• Once logged in you will find on the dashboard, with the ability to add events. ( http://wp-events-plugin.com/documentation/getting-started-guide/)
• All the events once created will go into pending approval.
• Someone from my team will approve within 5 days and people can book to attend events from the site

 

After you are approved and logged on:
1. Click on the events button under the dashboard
2. Click add new event
3. Fill the fields provided for the event details
4. Save for approval and publication
In case of any difficulties please send an email to gloria.dogbey@edelitconsult.com or partnership@womenintechafrica.com
Thank you

 

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Press Release: Entries Open For The Appsafrica.com Innovation Awards 2016

 

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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 14th.

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 10th, 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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WITA – Ireland Meetup event  – July, 2016

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

Women In Tech Twitter chat on Career Growth

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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

 

In the world of technology, when one woman helps another, amazing things can happen

In Africa’s male-dominated technology (tech) scene, women remain largely underrepresented. Yet there is a growing sense that a handful of incredible women are setting new standards and encouraging others especially younger women to become “techy”. Many believe that when one woman helps another, amazing things can happen-professional careers leap forward.

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Yes indeed, amazing things do happen. I recently attended one of these gatherings where established women professionals in technology were mentoring young women aspiring to take their STEM careers a step further.

I feel lucky. My generation is seeing a paradigm shift both in women’s reception to Science and technology information- a field which traditionally was considered male dominated – and the support that women are giving each other these days. It’s a remarkable turnaround! I kid you not. It’s been a long journey.

This mentoring session was organized by Women in Tech Africa. An organisation borne out of the perseverance and persistence of likeminded women on the continent, spearheaded by Ethel Cofie.

In her own words, Ethel says:

“Working in technology can, at times, be an isolating experience for women, especially in Africa. The impact of this can limit women’s professional growth in the sector. Women need mentors, role-models and a network to share their experiences, challenges and skills. Some Women in Technology clubs exist already, but to date, no-one has attempted to build a pan-African network, allowing us to compare our challenges, learn from other countries and connect across borders to expand our influence.”

Apart from founding WITA, Africa’s largest women in tech group with members in over 30 Africa countries and physical chapter in Ghana ,Kenya  and London, Ms. Cofie is also CEO and Founder of EDEL Technology Consulting (An IT Consulting and Digital Products Company in West Africa and Europe). She know too well hoow difficult it can be for anyone aspiring to set up their own IT start ups:

 “Starting my own business was a struggle; a lot of ups and downs to the extent that I had to shut down, get corporate jobs and restart from zero. This is because I had at that time not much knowledge or anyone to advise me on how to nurture and grow a startup, customer acquisition and retention among other. I decided to start a school to help other women on insight into beginning a startup.”

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written by: Adisa Amanor Wilks – communications professional passionate about Africa.

And Gloria Dogbey – Innovation Analyst with EDEL Technology Consulting and Coordinator of Women in Tech Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also at the event was Angela Mazza the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for .  She told us about her journey as a woman navigating the world of technology, and what it means to her to be in her position in one of the biggest software development companies in the world.

Read more about Angela>>