5th ANNUAL

Where Africa Meets the World: Shaping the Future of Women in Innovation

THE WOMEN IN TECH GLOBAL SUMMIT PROGRAM 2026

Programme at a glance

Over three days, through keynotes, panels, and workshops, the summit will focus on how technology leadership and innovation can be harnessed to design an equitable digital future, foster women’s advancement in STEM fields, and create inclusive economic opportunities across the globe.

08:00 - 09:00 | Welcome Registration

OPENING CEREMONY

09:00 - 09:30 – Opening Ceremony: A New Digital Era
A powerful ceremonial start bringing together global leaders, diplomats, and innovators to set the tone for a shared digital future rooted in inclusion, peace, and prosperity. Through music, storytelling, and national symbols, we celebrate the collective ambition to shape technology that serves people and planet.

09:30–10:00 – Welcome & High Patron Addresses: Why This Summit Matters Now
Founders, city leaders, and diplomatic representatives outline the urgency of aligning tech innovation with public interest, gender equality, and global cooperation. These remarks frame the summit as a platform to turn vision into commitments for a fairer digital world.

MORNING PLENARY SESSIONS

10:00–10:20 – Ministerial Spotlight: Governing the Digital Age
A high‑level ministerial tribune explores how governments can steward digital transformation while protecting rights, fostering innovation, and closing global divides.

10:20 - 10:30 – Keynote: Rewriting the Rules of the Digital Order

10:30 - 11:15 | Plenary Panel: If the Global South Led the Next Digital Order
A high‑level conversation imagining a world where the Global South sets the digital agenda, standards, and platforms of tomorrow. Leaders discuss data sovereignty, AI governance, and investment models that unlock local innovation while reshaping global power dynamics.

11:15 - 11:40 | COFFEE BREAK

11:45 - 12:00 – Ignite Talk: Superintelligence and Our Shared Future
Superintelligence is shifting from theory to imminent reality, forcing us to rethink innovation, governance, and human progress. Drawing on criminology, psychology, law, and AI ethics, Professor Renée Cummings examines how superintelligent systems could transform healthcare, security, education, the economy, and global power. She offers a pragmatic framework rooted in justice, transparency, and human dignity, outlining the strategic choices leaders must make now so that as intelligence advances, humanity advances with it.

12:00 - 12:35 – Plenary Dialogue: Building a Human‑Centric Digital Economy
This cross‑sector dialogue brings together technologists, policymakers, and innovators to explore how to design digital economies that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. It examines how financial inclusion, skills, and infrastructure can close the digital divide, while a strong gender lens ensures women and girls are not only connected, but leading, shaping, and benefiting from the next wave of digital transformation.

12:35 - 12:50 – Ignite Talk

12:50 - 13:15 – Oxford Debate: This House Believes That AI Poses an Existential Threat to Humanity
An energetic, high‑level debate where experts argue for and against the motion that AI poses an existential risk to our species.

13:15 - 14:00 | LUNCH BREAK

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS

14:15 - 15:15 | Breakout Sessions - Round 1

TRACK A: Personality Types in Tech Leadership
Understanding diverse personality frameworks and how they influence team dynamics, communication, and leadership effectiveness. Led by Viola.
TRACK B: Tech for Public Good - How Technology Can Solve Real Urban Problems
Explore civic tech, data-driven solutions, and community engagement to address challenges from transportation to public health. Led by Zhuldyz Saulebekova, CEO of Almaty Air Initiative (supported by inDrive).
TRACK C: AWS Cloud Innovation Workshop
Hands-on exploration of cloud computing, AI services, and scalable solutions for enterprises and startups. Led by Amazon Web Services team.
TRACK D: Career Enhancement
Strategic approaches to career advancement, executive presence, and breaking through glass ceilings in technology. Led by Sally Spicer (UK).
TRACK E: The Adaptive Leadership Lab
Led by Ivo Haase
TRACK F: Youth Lab

15:15 - 15:45 | COFFEE BREAK - Workshops Transition

15:15 - 16:15 | Breakout Sessions - Round 2
All tracks repeat (choose a different workshop)

TRACK A: Personality Types in Tech Leadership (Part II)
Led by Viola Edward.
TRACK B: Glow from Within - The Science of Skincare, Self-Care & Mind-Body Connection
Exploring holistic wellness, stress management, and maintaining peak performance. Led by Dr. Juliet Bond
TRACK C: Steady Leaders in Unsteady Times
Led by Alejandra Leyva.
TRACK D: Youth Lab Round 2
Continued youth-focused programming with hands-on activities.
TRACK E: Intra-Africa Trade Framework - Blockchain-Enabled Commerce & Tokenization
Examining how emerging technologies can unlock cross-border trade and financial inclusion for the Global South. Led by Frances Regina.
TRACK F: Mental Health and Performance
Understanding how VC works, where disconnects arise, and how the inner game shapes the thinking, decisions and performance behind exceptional outcomes. Led by Dr. Jana Reuther.

16:45 - 17:30 | Interactive Closing Plenary
Women in Tech Global Directors & Delegations
Celebrating Women in Tech Global Directors, Chapter Leads, and national delegations representing 60+ countries in the global network.

EVENING RECEPTION

19:00 - 21:00 | Welcome Reception

08:00 - 09:00 | Welcome Registration

MORNING INSPIRATION & PLENARY

09:00 - 09:30 - Day 2 Welcome: From Inspiration to Action
This opening reconnects delegates to the summit’s core themes and highlights key moments from Day 1. It sets the tone for a day focused on turning ideas into concrete commitments, collaborations, and policies that advance a more inclusive, equitable digital world.

09:40 - 09:45 – Guest Keynote: Leading Through Transformation

09:45 - 10:30 – Plenary Panel: Wealth, Trust & Technology – Betting on the New Financial Stack
This high‑level conversation explores how technology is reshaping money, trust, and power in the global economy. Speakers discuss digital assets, financial inclusion, and responsible innovation, asking how the new financial stack can serve the public interest and expand opportunities for women and underserved regions.

10:35 - 11:00 – Inspiration Keynote: The Art of Turning the Tide
A deeply personal, high‑energy keynote on what it means to defy expectations and lead against the current in tech and society. Through story, vulnerability, and resilience, this session offers a roadmap for turning systemic barriers into fuel for ambition, courage, and collective change.

11:10 - 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 - 12:10 - Plenary Panel: Preparing for the AI-Powered Economy
Exploring workforce transformation, skills development, and organizational readiness for AI integration. How leaders can prepare teams and companies for the intelligent automation wave.

12:00 - 12:25 - Fireside Chat
An intimate conversation with Lauren Richardson, Chief of Staff Europe at TD Synnex, on navigating corporate leadership, building influence, and driving transformation across regions.
Lauren Richardson, Chief of Staff Europe, TD Synnex

12:25 - 13:00 - Ignite Talks: Bold Ideas That Could Change Everything
Three visionary 10-minute presentations exploring breakthrough innovations that could reshape our technological and social future. Fast-paced, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

LUNCH & AFTERNOON SESSIONS

13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break with Lunch & Learn Roundtables
Enjoy a curated lunch while participating in optional intimate table discussions on career-critical topics.

Table 1: Negotiating Your Worth - Salary & Equity
Strategies for tech professionals. Learn to advocate for fair compensation. Led by Patricia Arboleda.
Table 2: Breaking into the Boardroom
Corporate Board Service pathways, preparation, and how to position yourself for board opportunities.
Table 3: The Art of Mentworking
Discover the Art of Mentworking - by Ntsiki Mkhize
Table 4: Emerging Technologies, Emerging Risks: How to Lead Ahead of the Curve through Ethics.
Led by Kat Morse.
Table 5: Fundraising Masterclass - Investor Q&A
Direct insights into what investors look for, pitch strategies, and founder-investor dynamics. Led by Irene Ochem.
Table 6: How Will AI Impact Inclusion and Diversity?
Examining AI's role in either perpetuating or solving bias in hiring, promotion, and workplace culture. Led by Shuntasha Philips.

14:15 - 14:30 - Fireside Chat: Leadership & Public Service
An inspiring conversation between Elisabeth Moreno (former French Minister) and Avela Gronemeyer on leading with purpose, navigating politics and business, and creating systemic change.

14:30 - 15:10 - Ask Me Anything: Uncensored
The questions you're afraid to ask. The answers you need to hear.
This brutally honest, no-holds-barred panel tackles the real questions that don't get asked in polite professional settings. Through anonymous app-based submissions, attendees ask what they really want to know—and a panel of seasoned leaders gives unfiltered, authentic answers. No corporate speak. No sanitized responses. Just truth.

15:10 - 15:30 - Panel: HealthTech Revolution
Technology Transforming Healthcare Access and Outcomes. Exploring telemedicine, AI diagnostics, wearable health tech, and innovations making healthcare more accessible and equitable, especially in underserved regions.

15:30 - 16:00 | Energy Break

16:00 - 16:20 | Keynote

16:20 - 17:00 - Panel: Women in Tech Around the World
A global perspectives panel showcasing Women in Tech chapters, initiatives, and success stories from different continents. Celebrating the international movement and regional innovations.

19:00 - 23:00 | Gala Dinner

MORNING REFLECTION

09:30 - 10:00 | Day 3 Welcome & Reflection
A powerful ceremonial opening for the final day, bringing delegates together to reflect on the journey, honor the connections forged, and commit to turning insights into lasting action.
Opening Address: "What We Owe the Next Generation - Leadership as Legacy" by Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann

10:00 - 10:40 | Plenary Panel: The Future of Education in the AI Era
How do we prepare the next generation for jobs that don't yet exist? Exploring AI literacy, skills transformation, inclusive access to tech education, and reimagining learning for the digital age.

10:40 - 11:00 | Ignite Talk: The Roadshow
A real-world case study from IT Community of Uzbekistan. Learn how volunteer coordination, leadership, and strategic partnerships turned a local community into a national tech movement.

11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 - 12:00 | Plenary Panel: Sustainable Development & Inclusion
How technology can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals while ensuring no one is left behind. Examining climate tech, circular economy, ethical AI, and inclusive digital transformation.

12:00 - 13:00 | Startup Ecosystems on the Rise – A Global Tour
An energizing interactive session spotlighting how startup ecosystems are evolving across regions, from island hubs to major innovation nations. Delegates will compare what’s working, what’s missing, and how women founders are navigating funding, talent, and regulation in very different markets.

13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break with Reflection Activity

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

14:00 - 14:15 | Ignite Talk: The Art of Acceleration
How to Create Big Opportunities for Small Business. Strategies for rapid growth, scaling with limited resources, and creating outsize impact.

14:15 - 15:30 | The Hot Seat: Investor Office Hours
Five founders pitch to five investors in 7-minute rapid-fire sessions with brutally honest feedback. Audience learns what investors REALLY think. Entertaining, educational, and invaluable insights into the funding journey.

15:15 - 15:30 | Motivational Talk

15:30 - 16:00 | Energy Break

16:00 - 16:30 | WIT Summit Rewind: A Late Night Show Experience
Laughs, lessons, and what happened behind the scenes. A fun, lighthearted look back at the summit's best moments, viral social media, fashion highlights, and surprise moments.