Hundreds of women and young girls in technology and entrepreneurship gathered on March 14, 2026, in Benin, Edo State, for the Women Tech Innovators Summit for a day of learning, connection, and opportunity.

The event hosted by Women in Blockchain Africa, She Code Africa Benin, and Trail Alley, in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology and the Edo State Government, spotlighted the growing importance of creating intentional spaces for women and girls to thrive in emerging technology and entrepreneurship.

The event drew key stakeholders from across government, technology, innovation, and the wider Edo ecosystem, including representatives of the state government and senior public officials, reinforcing the urgency of advancing women’s participation in the future of work and innovation.

The summit opened with a fireside chat featuring the co-organisers Bernice Omiunu, founder of Women in Blockchain Africa; Lead of She Code Africa Benin and founder of Africa of Possibilities, Jennifer Jude Whyte, and founder of Trail Alley, Duty Osamudiamen. Their conversation was anchored on the United Nations theme, “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls: Advancing Emerging Tech and Innovation.”

The session set the tone for the day with a strong call for women to move from the margins of innovation to the centre of leadership, opportunity, and influence. The speakers reflected on current realities for women in tech and entrepreneurship, the barriers that still exist, and why women must be active contributors to shaping the future of innovation rather than passive observers of it.

Also speaking at the summit, the Commissioner for the Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology, Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi, underscored the importance of equipping women with technological skills, noting that empowering women in digital and emerging technology spaces is critical to broader social and economic progress in the state. That message aligned with the wider purpose of the summit, which centred on expanding access, visibility, and opportunity for women and girls in innovation-driven fields.

A major highlight of the summit was a keynote by Co-Founder and COO of Semicolon, Ashley Immanuel, titled “From Skills to Value: Ways Women Can Become Industry-Ready in Today’s Tech Economy.” Her session challenged participants to think beyond simply acquiring knowledge and instead focus on how to build relevant skills that translate into measurable value in the workplace. She shared practical insight into what employers look for, how women can position themselves for real opportunities, and the importance of intentional career growth in today’s rapidly evolving tech economy.

Also speaking at the summit was founder of Jizara Canada, Oluomachi Ibude, whose session on “Human-Centered AI: Designing Technology That Reflects Our Values, Not Just Our Intelligence” explored the urgent need for more ethical and inclusive thinking in artificial intelligence. Her presentation examined how AI systems often reflect the biases, values, and blind spots of the people who build them, and why leaders and technologists must be more intentional about embedding human-centred thinking into AI development.

The summit also created space for women founders in emerging technology to pitch their ideas and solutions. In one of the standout moments of the day, female founders presented innovative ventures aimed at solving practical problems across sustainability, commerce, and digital access.

Beyond keynote sessions and founder pitches, the summit featured panel discussions focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and wellness.
The summit also created space for women founders in emerging technology to pitch their ideas and solutions. In one of the standout moments of the day, female founders presented innovative ventures aimed at solving practical problems across sustainability, commerce, and digital access.
Among them was Lily Elsa, who pitched TrashPoint by Kyrus Recycling, a platform that connects households, businesses, and community aggregators to waste collection and recycling systems.

Also featured was Adaeze Anagwonye, who presented Unimap+, a campus-focused food delivery and student commerce platform built for university communities.

One of the featured panel sessions, “From Talent to Leadership & Entrepreneurship,” brought together Mary Onoge Omokhagbor, Adaku Ekwueme, and Jobina Arinze for a focused conversation on scaling careers, building businesses, accessing opportunities, and leading with purpose. The discussion explored what it takes for women to move from talent and potential into visible leadership and entrepreneurial impact.

The event also spotlighted several partners and ecosystem supporters helping to drive the initiative forward, including Stellar West Africa, Avax , 3MTT amongst others. Their presence reflected the growing value of collaboration in building stronger pathways for women and girls in emerging technology.

For many attendees, what stood out most was not only the quality of the programme, but the significance of hosting an event of this scale in Edo State. Participants expressed strong satisfaction with the summit, noting that they had not seen a gathering within the state so intentionally designed to equip, empower, and expose women and girls to opportunities in emerging tech and entrepreneurship.

That response perhaps best captures the significance of the Women Tech Innovators Summit. It was not merely a one-day gathering, but a visible sign of what becomes possible when ecosystem builders, community leaders, institutions, and government stakeholders come together with a shared vision.

At a time when artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital innovation are reshaping industries and redefining opportunity, the need to ensure women are not left behind has never been more urgent. In Benin City, the message was clear: women are ready not only to participate in the future, but to lead it