Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stressed that greater inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering, and innovation is essential to Africa’s economic growth and technological future.
Represented at the fifth Women in Technology and Engineering Summit and Awards (WITESA 2026), the governor said excluding women from the technology ecosystem deprives the continent of critical ideas, innovation, and solutions needed to address pressing development challenges. Nannews.ng
What You Need to Know
Speaking under the theme, “Engineering Africa’s Future: Innovation, Infrastructure and Inclusive Technology,” Sanwo-Olu described the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM as more than a gender issue, calling it an economic, competitiveness, and development challenge.
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He noted that every talented young woman denied access to quality education, mentorship, funding, or opportunities in technology represents a lost opportunity for Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
“Every time a talented young woman is unable to access quality education, mentorship, funding or opportunities in the technology ecosystem, we all lose ideas, innovation, and solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. That is why inclusion must remain at the centre of our development agenda,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos State’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovation through investments in digital infrastructure, research, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven governance that expands opportunities regardless of gender.
The summit also featured contributions from policymakers, development partners, investors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, all advocating stronger support for women and girls pursuing careers in STEM fields.
Among the speakers, the Gautier Mignot described investing in women in science and technology as one of the smartest investments any society can make, urging governments and institutions to remove barriers limiting women’s participation in innovation.
Implications
Sanwo-Olu’s remarks reinforce the growing recognition that gender inclusion is central to Africa’s digital transformation agenda. Expanding access to education, mentorship, financing, and leadership opportunities for women could strengthen the continent’s innovation capacity, improve competitiveness, and accelerate economic development.
The discussions at WITESA 2026 also underscore increasing collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector to build a more inclusive technology ecosystem capable of supporting Africa’s long-term digital economy ambitions.
Conclusion
As Africa pursues digital transformation, stakeholders increasingly view women’s participation in technology and engineering as a strategic necessity rather than a social objective. Sanwo-Olu’s call for greater inclusion reflects a broader consensus that unlocking the continent’s full technological potential requires equal opportunities for women to innovate, lead, and shape the future.
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