Tech Herfrica, in partnership with Enovate Lab, is spearheading one of the best digital inclusion initiatives in Nigeria and across Africa through the Gender Gaps Forum on Artificial Intelligence Access and Digital Safety for Women in Nigeria, a flagship engagement under the Artificial Intelligence for Development initiative.
This high-impact initiative is designed to address the gender digital divide, limited access to artificial intelligence, and unsafe digital environments, which continue to restrict women’s participation in Nigeria’s digital economy, as highlighted by the World Bank’s digital development work:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and economies, the exclusion of women, particularly underserved women, presents a critical challenge to inclusive growth. According to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report, women in low- and middle-income countries are significantly less likely to access mobile internet and digital tools:
https://www.gsma.com/r/gender-gap/] (https://www.gsma.com/r/gender-gap/
This digital inclusion initiative directly tackles:
Unequal access to artificial intelligence tools and digital infrastructure
Low participation of women in the technology and innovation ecosystem
Systemic barriers preventing women from fully engaging in the digital economy in Nigeria
By convening policymakers, government agencies, private sector leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners, the Gender Gaps Forum creates a collaborative platform to develop evidence-based, scalable solutions.
A defining feature of this initiative is its emphasis on digital safety for women as a foundational resource.
Women navigating digital spaces face disproportionate risks, including online harassment, data breaches, and privacy violations. UN Women highlights the growing issue of online violence against women:
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/online-and-ict-facilitated-violence
This initiative recognises that digital inclusion cannot be achieved without digital safety.
Through the forum, stakeholders will:
Strengthen digital safety frameworks for women in Nigeria
Promote awareness and access to online safety tools and resources
Encourage the development of ethical, inclusive artificial intelligence systems, aligned with global standards such as UNESCO’s AI ethics recommendation:
https://www.unesco.org/en/artificial-intelligence/recommendation-ethics
By embedding safety into the design of digital ecosystems, the initiative ensures that women are able to participate securely, confidently, and sustainably.
This initiative places strong emphasis on underserved women, including those in rural communities, low-income environments, and marginalised groups.
These women face compounded barriers, including limited connectivity, affordability challenges, and low digital literacy. The OECD highlights the importance of inclusive digital policies in closing these gaps:
https://www.oecd.org/digital/inclusive-digital-transformation/
The Gender Gaps Forum aims to bridge these gaps by:
- Expanding access to artificial intelligence and digital skills training
- Creating inclusive pathways for women’s participation in technology
- Amplifying the voices of underserved women in policy and innovation discussions
This approach unlocks opportunities for economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the digital economy.
The Gender Gaps Forum is structured to deliver clear, measurable outcomes, making it a strong investment opportunity for donors and development partners focused on digital inclusion and gender equality.
Key impact areas include:
- Policy recommendations that advance gender-inclusive artificial intelligence governance
- Increased adoption of digital safety practices for women
- Strengthened collaboration across sectors to scale inclusive digital solutions in Nigeria
The initiative aligns with global priorities such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality:
https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5
Through its integrated focus on access, safety, and policy influence, Tech Herfrica and Enovate Lab are setting a new benchmark for the best digital inclusion initiatives in Africa.
This initiative goes beyond access. It ensures that women are:
- Included in digital systems
- Protected in online environments
- Empowered to lead in the artificial intelligence ecosystem
As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, the Gender Gaps Forum stands as a scalable, high-impact model for inclusive innovation, ensuring that women and girls are fully equipped to participate in and benefit from the future of technology.
