Onome Amuge
Glovo, a leading Nigerian multi-category platform, has joined forces with the Lagos State government and She Code Africa, a non-profit organisation focused on empowering young girls and women in tech across Africa, to launch an innovative Women in Tech Bootcamp Programme.
The 12-week intensive training programme aims to empower 100 women by providing them with the skills and knowledge to enter the tech industry, and thereby reducing the gender disparity in the sector.
The commencement of the Women in Tech Bootcamp Programme was marked by an inaugural ceremony held in Lagos, with the event attended by key figures from the tech industry, government officials, and representatives from the European diplomatic community.
Glovo’s Women in Tech initiative seeks to create an interest in tech careers by showcasing the adaptability, creativity, and impact of modern tech environments. The initiative is focused on three pillars: providing bootcamps for women without technical backgrounds to prepare them for junior tech roles, breaking gender stereotypes through community engagement that exposes young girls to female role models, and offering internships to top bootcamp participants as a way to launch their tech careers.
The initiative, Business a.m. gathered, goes beyond the initial training provided by the bootcamp programme, ensuring that participants have continued access to mentorships that will support their career progression in the tech industry.
Lamide Akinola, the general manager of Glovo Nigeria, set the tone for the event, affirming Glovo’s commitment to championing gender diversity and providing women with the necessary tools and support to excel in the technology sector.
In her opening remarks, Akinola underscored the importance of creating an inclusive environment for women to flourish in tech-driven roles.
“Glovo believes that empowering women with digital skills is essential. It drives innovation, fosters growth and builds communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This boot camp is supported by our valued partners, the Lagos state government, through the Ministry of Commerce, cooperatives, trade and investment, the Ministry of innovation, science and technology and cheap code Africa. It’s a significant step to be able to demonstrate our commitment to creating a meaningful change in Nigeria’s digital landscape,” she stated.
Akinola identified a multifaceted set of challenges that women confront in the tech industry, encompassing access to opportunities, lack of support, and even a lack confidence to take bold steps. .
The Glovo GM reiterated that the company’s mission as a leading multi-category app is not only to provide convenient access to goods and services, but also to empower women with digital skills that can drive innovation, growth, and inclusivity in the tech industry.
Amplifying the calls for greater inclusivity and opportunity for women in the tech industry, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Lagos State,highlighted the critical role of partnerships between public and private entities in providing women with the resources and support they need to thrive in the tech industry.
Building on the event’s calls for increased equity and opportunity for women in the tech industry, Ambrose-Medebem emphasised the event’s deeper significance, asserting that it is not just a rally for advocacy, but a clarion call to reimagine a more inclusive future for innovation, one in which women, who constitute half of Nigeria’s population, are not left behind.
Ambrose-Medebem pointed to research indicating that closing the gender gap in technology could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. This staggering statistic, shenoted, makes it clear that empowering women in tech is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity.
“In Lagos State, a hub of innovation and economic activity, we understand that inclusion is a catalyst for sustainable growth. However, achieving this requires intentional strategies and robust partnerships. We are excited to work with Glovo and She Code Africa to deliver a programme that opens doors for women to excel, innovate, and lead,” she said.
Speaking further on the significance of the Women in Tech Bootcamp Programme, Ambrose-Medebem, stated that the initiative is in line with the mandate of her Ministry to promote innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and support the development of skilled talent across various industries, including technology.
In her presentation, Ada Oyom, the founder of She Code Africa, the technical partner for the Women in Tech Bootcamp Programme, voiced her excitement about the collaboration.
Oyom dwelled on the potential for the program to create meaningful opportunities for women in tech, while commending Glovo’s dedication to promoting gender diversity.
Oyom urged other businesses to follow Glovo’s example and invest in initiatives that support and empower women in the tech industry.
Another major highlights of the event was a panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers in Tech & Beyond,” featuring female industry leaders, including Lamide Akinola,GM, Glovo Nigeria; Ada Oyom, founder, She Code Africa; Sonia Odije-Fajusigbe, economic policy adviser, Consulate General of the Netherlands ;Wendy Okam, director, business development, Ellington Bank UAE; Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, founder, RISE Networks, and Mojirayo Folarin-Lawal, head, funding and partnerships, LSETF.
The panel discussion enabled panelists to share their experiences, narrating how they overcame various challenges, fostered community support, and built sustainable, long-term careers. The panelists also asserted the importance of equipping more women with the skills and resources necessary to drive innovation across industries.
During the ceremony, key stakeholders including William Benthall, global director for government relations, Glovo; Laura Mensah-Oniru, executive secretary of Eurocham; and Sherifah Balogun, director of strategy, funding, and stakeholder management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), offered insightful remarks on the importance of a supportive digital ecosystem for women.
The speakers underscored the relevance of collaborative partnerships between the private and public sectors in driving sustainable economic growth, promoting innovation, and reducing the gender gap in the tech industry.
