Our world today is increasingly driven by technology, innovation and inclusivity have become more than just buzzwords; they are essential forces shaping community organizing, development and politics of things.
As a civic tech organization focused on driving social impact, we were part of two events that showcased the power of tech to propel change: Moonshot, hosted by TechCabal, and A French-Nigerian Dialogue on Diversity, Leadership & Innovation, organized by French Tech Lagos. Both events not only highlighted the importance of innovation but also emphasized the need for inclusion and diversity, particularly in Africa’s tech space. Here’s a recap of the exciting moments and key takeaways.
Moonshot by TechCabal: Unleashing Africa’s TechPotential
Moonshot is an annual conference that brings together Africa’s tech ecosystem in person to network, collaborate, share insights and celebrate innovation on the continent. The atmosphere was electric, with big ideas taking center stage and groundbreaking solutions being showcased.
The event featured high-profile speakers such as the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, CEOs from Jumia, TalentQL, Fincra, Data Science Nigeria, Filmmakers Mart, the founder of Wetalksound, and Co-founder and CEO of Sabi among others. These influential voices painted a vibrant picture of the future of tech in Africa.
The Role of Policy in Driving Innovation
One of the standout moments came from Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, who highlighted the government’s commitment to creating a more conducive policy environment for tech innovation. His session focused on the strides being taken to ensure digital transformation across sectors, with a clear vision of positioning Africa as a global hub for technology and innovation.
Another major highlight was the emphasis on collaboration between startups, governments, and investors. At Moonshot, there was a palpable sense that collaboration was essential to tackling Africa’s large-scale problems. The discussions around forming partnerships to bridge the gap between tech innovators and civic actors were particularly inspiring.
Shining a Light on Data and AI
Artificial intelligence and data-driven solutions also took center stage at Moonshot. Various speakers discussed how AI is helping to streamline decision-making processes, increase efficiency, and, in some cases, democratize access to services. For civic tech, the potential applications of AI are endless—from analyzing large data sets for policy development to creating automated systems for voter education and engagement.
Built to last: of enterprise business and sustainability
Moonshot 2024 by TechCabal highlighted a pressing question facing current business organizations. Ensuring that questions on how African businesses are built in a strong and sustainable way and ideas that thrive for generations to come. The workshop showcased insights from industry leaders, founders, and visionaries committed to building not just successful companies but ones that are “built to last.”
One key takeaway from the workshop was the emphasis on sustainability as a strategic foundation. Mrs. Mayowa Olaniyan, Group Managing Director of Chams Holdings, emphasized that to “achieve long-term success and sustainability, it depends significantly on developing the people behind it”.
Companies that invest in their teams are investing in the backbone of their long-term growth. Thus, A lasting business requires a workforce that continually adapts and grows with industry changes through training, upskilling, and professional development for employees.
The workshop made it clear that African enterprises built to last are those that see sustainability at their core.
Empowering Women in Tech by French Tech Lagos: Building an Inclusive Future
As part of its commitment to gender parity, the French Tech Mission, in Lagos hosted a French-Nigerian Dialogue on Diversity, Leadership, and Innovation at Alliance Française, Ikoyi. The event opened with remarks from M. Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, followed by two panel sessions, each centered on the theme of empowering women in tech.
Women-Led Innovation is the Future
The event highlighted that women in Africa are not just passive participants in tech, they are leaders and innovators. Panel discussions featured trailblazing women who are reshaping the tech ecosystem, from creating successful startups to driving policy change. Their stories were a testament to the resilience and creativity women bring to the table, despite the challenges they face.
The first panel session, titled “Investment as a Catalyst for Gender Equality and Inclusion in Tech,” featured a distinguished lineup of panelists: Kemi Olajide, Investment Manager at Alitheia Capital; Titi Savage, COO of Bluebulb; Véronique Dos Reis, Legal Consultant and Investor; and Lehlé Baldé, Founding Editor of BusinessDay Weekender. The session was moderated by Bili Sule, Founder and Chief Growth Engineer at alGROWithm.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the powerful use of the “glass balls and rubber balls” analogy, emphasizing the need for women to be more intentional in their personal and professional lives. The analogy illustrates that some tasks (the glass balls) are crucial and must be handled with urgency, as they can lead to serious consequences if neglected, while others (the rubber balls) can be set aside temporarily without serious consequences. The panel encouraged women to be intentional about distinguishing between these tasks as a means to achieve both personal and professional success.
Breaking Barriers in Access and Participation
The second session, “Women’s Leadership in Sustainable Innovation: Towards Social and Environmental Impact in Africa,” featured esteemed speakers such as Julie Lanckriet, COO of Emerging Valley; Deborah Gael, Co-founder and COO of Koolbooks; Chinwe Udo-Davis, Co-founder and CEO of Instollar; and Kristin Wilson, founder of Spurt and Tech Investor.
This discussion focused on the potential roles women can play in driving sustainable innovation across Africa as well as creating safe and inclusive spaces where women can thrive and share their expertise. The panel highlighted the importance of not only providing mentorship but also being intentional about creating meaningful opportunities for women in leadership through funding and policy reforms among other means. They emphasized the importance of women focusing on innovation and development and the need for systemic change in how women access funding and opportunities in tech.
Building mentorship programs within the civic tech space can help empower more women to take leadership roles, design civic tools, and contribute meaningfully to the development of digital governance solutions.
Why does this matter?
In our efforts to build inclusive and democratic societies, supporting women-led initiatives in civic tech is essential. Gender diversity in tech means more perspectives, more solutions, and more comprehensive platforms that can serve all citizens, particularly in areas like voter education and political participation.
To drive inclusive digital governance, civic tech needs to actively create pathways for women’s participation, ensuring that digital platforms and tools are designed with everyone in mind. If women are underrepresented in tech, digital solutions are less likely to be tailored to their needs.
While Moonshot was focused on tech innovation across the board, the Empowering Women in Tech event by French Tech Lagos focused on a critical issue of gender inclusivity in the tech space. The event celebrated women leaders in tech and focused on how to create more opportunities for women to thrive in the industry.
Conclusion
Both Moonshot and the Empowering Women in Tech event showcased the incredible potential of Africa’s tech ecosystem, but they also underscored the need for inclusivity and collaboration. As a civic tech organization, these events have provided invaluable insights into how we can harness the power of technology to engage citizens, combat misinformation, and drive societal change.
By fostering partnerships with other tech innovators, promoting gender inclusivity, and leveraging the latest advancements in AI and data, we can ensure that civic tech remains at the forefront of creating more transparent, accountable, and democratic societies.
The future of tech in Africa is bright—and as civic tech players, we’re excited to be part of this journey toward a more connected, informed, and inclusive continent.