From classrooms to codebases, it’s time we go beyond celebration and invest in real change for girls in tech.
Every fourth Thursday in April, the world pauses to observe Girls in ICT Day—a moment dedicated to inspiring young women to consider careers in technology. But in 2025, inspiration alone isn’t enough.
For many girls across Africa, the digital divide is still deeply felt. It’s not just about who has access to the internet—it’s about who gets to dream in the digital age. Who gets to tinker, to fail forward, to innovate boldly? And most importantly, who gets the chance to lead?
At Nawiri, we believe the future belongs to those who are empowered to shape it. And that includes girls from every village, town, and city across this continent.
The Gender Gap in Tech is Real—and Fixable
Across many African countries, women make up less than 30% of tech professionals. The reasons as to why we have fewer girls in ICT are layered: cultural expectations, limited exposure to STEM in early education, lack of mentorship, and the absence of relatable role models.
But this isn’t just a story of barriers—it’s one of breakthroughs.
We see it in the growing network of organizations like AkiraChix, She Codes for Change, and Microsoft ADC’s AI education outreach, which are actively mentoring and equipping girls with the tools to thrive in tech. We see it in the girls coding their first website in rural schools or launching mobile apps from their living rooms.
The tide is turning—and it’s turning fast.
Digital Skills are the New Currency
As the world embraces artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and remote work, the need for digital fluency has never been more urgent. But let’s be clear: this isn’t just about teaching girls how to use tech—it’s about empowering them to create it.
We’ve witnessed girls from across the continent designing games, building health apps, and solving local problems with global impact. One 16-year-old in Nakuru built a prototype to help visually impaired learners access text-based materials through audio. In Kilifi, a group of teens launched an app to help their peers track menstrual health and access free sanitary pads.
These aren’t just projects. They’re proof that when given a chance, girls don’t just participate in the tech economy—they lead it.
Representation is Power
When girls see women who look like them in tech, something shifts. Ambition becomes tangible. Possibility becomes real.
Across Africa, women like Rebecca Enonchong, Judith Owigar, and Dr. Chao Mbogho are blazing trails in the tech world—not just succeeding, but reaching back to pull others forward.
Their stories remind us: girls can’t be what they can’t see. But when we put these women on panels, in textbooks, and on stages—they can be seen. And when they’re seen, they’re believed in.
So What Comes Next after Girls in ICT?
We’ve celebrated. Now it’s time to build.
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Here’s what we believe needs to happen next:
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Reimagine education: ICT must be woven into our early childhood curriculums—not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.
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Fund what works: Grassroots organizations training girls in coding, robotics, and AI need consistent, long-term support.
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Prioritize mentorship: Let’s connect girls with women in tech—not just for inspiration, but for practical, career-shaping guidance.
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Push for policy change: Governments must commit to digital equity and gender inclusion at every level of decision-making.
Our Call at Nawiri Afrika
We’re not just here to tell stories. We’re here to amplify voices, provoke thought, and champion change.
If you’re reading this, you’re part of the solution. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, policymaker, or tech leader, there’s a girl out there who needs your belief, your voice, your platform.
Girls in ICT Day is more than a hashtag or an event. It’s a call to action—for all of us.
Let’s raise not just awareness, but opportunities. Let’s raise digital dreamers—and give them space to build.
“When we empower a girl with digital tools, we don’t just change her future—we change her community, her country, and the continent.”
Happy Girls in ICT Day. Here’s to the coders, the creators, the leaders. Here’s to the future—hers to design.
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