Kenya has joined the global Women in Tech network following the launch of its national chapter in Nairobi, a move aimed at expanding opportunities for women and girls in technology.

The announcement was made during the 2025 Women in Tech Summit, an event held in partnership with ABSA, marking a pivotal moment for gender inclusion in the industry.

The summit, which took place shortly after International Women’s Day, brought together tech professionals, policymakers, and equality advocates to discuss challenges facing women in STEM and chart a path towards greater representation in leadership and innovation.

Women in Tech Africa Director Melissa Slaymaker underscored the urgency of the initiative, noting the organisation’s ambitious mission.

"Women in Tech aims to empower five million women and girls by 2030, and expanding into new regions is crucial to achieving this goal.

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"Each new chapter allows us to reach more women and girls, providing them with skills, mentorship, and opportunities in technology."

According to Slaymaker, the kind of partnerships they have with ABSA help them advance rapidly towards driving systemic change in the industry.

With the World Economic Forum projecting that gender parity may not be achieved until 2158, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #AccelerateAction, served as a rallying call for urgent measures to dismantle systemic barriers.

The summit reflected this urgency, focusing on practical strategies to close the gender gap in technology.

ABSA Kenya’s Chief Operations and Data Officer, Julius Kamau, reiterated the bank’s commitment to fostering diversity in the sector.

"At ABSA, we firmly believe that diversity is not just a goal, it is a business imperative. Platforms like the Women in Tech Summit provide a vital space for women in technology to connect, share experiences, and inspire the next generation," Kamau stated.

"More than that, they keep us accountable, ensuring that gender diversity remains at the forefront of our industry’s agenda"

Women in Tech has previously partnered with ABSA to organise networking events and summits in South Africa.

Bringing the initiative to Kenya marks a significant step in the effort to increase female participation in STEM and bridge the digital divide.

The discussions at the summit covered a range of pressing topics, from leveraging technology for financial inclusion to fostering sustainable innovation.

Punki Modise, Group Sustainability Officer at ABSA Group, spoke about technology’s role in financial empowerment, while Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, Managing Executive and Chief Information Officer of ABSA Regional Operations, stressed the importance of structural changes. 

"Empowering women requires creating a culture of collaboration, ensuring equal access to resources, and making growth opportunities more visible and accessible to women," he said.

As the summit concluded, one key message stood out—progress is possible, but only through deliberate action, mentorship, and policies that ensure women have a seat at the table.

The launch of Women in Tech Kenya signals the beginning of a concerted push to break barriers and build an inclusive future for women in the tech industry.