Google Nigeria is hosting a Women Techmakers summit event at the Lagos Business School today Saturday 8 April, as part of activities to commemorate International Women’s month. Google Nigeria is hosting 1 of 19 global Women Techmakers summits (and the only one in Africa), which recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in the tech space.
Through these events, Google aims to encourage diversity and inspire more women to take active roles in the technology space. Saturday’s event has attracted three times as many women in tech as the first event, held last year, an indicator of the level of demand from the women in technology community for opportunities to engage, network and learn with, and from, each other.
The theme for the event is ‘Tell your story’. Attendees will have a chance to listen to leading women in the tech sector including Google Nigeria country director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, and attend hands on workshops for both a technical and non-technical audience, including a technical TensorFlow Workshop and a Develop Your Story Workshop, featuring improv coaches from the US. Other attractions on the lineup include a Fireside Chat with Kemi Adetiba, Music Video Director, moderated by Honey Ogundeyi, Founder and CEO at Fashpa.com.
Pan Atlantic University’s Lagos Business School is partnering with Google to host this summit. According to Lagos Business School Dean Dr Enase Okonedo, “Recognizing the need for more women in technology and leadership roles in the continent, the event presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to developing responsible leaders for Africa.”
Techmakers is Google’s global programme for women. It provides visibility, community, and resources for women in technology to drive innovation and participation in the field. Google achieves this by hosting events, launching resources, and piloting new initiatives with communities and partners around the world to ensure women are supported and empowered in the industry.
Techmakers is one of a number of initiatives that Google is running in Africa with the aim of developing the local ecosystem. Others include the Digital Skills initiative, which saw Google train 1 million African youth in digital skills between April 2016, and March 2017, and which is expanding this year, and Google Launchpad – Google’s mentorship-driven global startup program with a goal of driving real success for startups. Launchpad comprises three phases – Build, Start and Accelerator. Applications for Launchpad Accelerator class 4 are now open – and for the first time, the program will be accepting applications from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
“Google is serious about Nigeria, and our strategy is to continue to help get users online by developing an accessible, relevant and sustainable internet ecosystem,” says country director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor. “As part of that strategy, we are helping to strengthen the developer community in Africa and empowering the next generation of developers.”