On March 31st, 2026, Enovate Lab, in collaboration with Tech Herfrica and She Leads Africa, successfully hosted the Gender Gaps Forum, a pivotal virtual stakeholder forum addressing gender gaps in AI access and digital safety for women in Nigeria.
Held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM WAT, the event united policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society actors, and digital inclusion advocates. Together, they explored actionable solutions to advance gender-responsive AI policy and accelerate digital empowerment for women across the nation.
As a key partner, Tech Herfrica reinforced its mission of empowering women and girls through digital inclusion, entrepreneurship support, and sustainable economic growth. The forum provided a vital platform for conversations on inclusive innovation, AI for women, and the creation of safer digital ecosystems. This session was part of the broader AI for Development Initiative, driving stakeholder engagement around AI advancement, digital safety, and policy recommendations to support women’s participation in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Why This Conversation Matters
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping work, governance, and education. However, women remain significantly underrepresented in AI-driven sectors due to barriers like limited digital access, skills gaps, online safety concerns, and systemic exclusion from innovation spaces.
For organisations like Tech Herfrica, dedicated to bridging the digital divide, these conversations are critical. True digital empowerment requires not just access to technology, but safe participation, protective policies, and leadership opportunities for women.
The Gender Gaps Forum tackled these realities head-on, fostering collaboration among experts committed to equitable and sustainable AI ecosystems.
Panel Session Highlights
A major highlight was the panel discussion featuring Angonimi David-Imeh, Ifedinma Eke, Nneka Nwagu, Stanley Ojika, and Gloria Okorie. The session explored practical pathways for strengthening women’s participation in AI, improving digital safety, and advancing inclusive AI policy in Nigeria.
Key discussion points included:
- The most critical gender gaps limiting women’s participation in Nigeria’s AI ecosystem
- Structural barriers preventing women from accessing AI tools
- Closing digital skills gaps through targeted digital empowermentinitiatives
- Increasing AI for womendevelopment and innovation
- Addressing pressing digital safety risks for women in AI-enabled environments
- Evaluating current AI policyframeworks in Nigeria
- Specific actions government agencies must take to foster inclusive AI ecosystems
- The responsibility of tech companies in reducing gender bias
- The role of civil society in supporting women’s digital safety
- Strengthening collaboration across government, private sector, and development partners
Panelists agreed that solving gender gaps in AI requires more than awareness, it demands policy reform, institutional commitment, investment in women’s digital literacy, and long-term ecosystem collaboration. A recurring theme was the need to reach underserved women, particularly those in rural and marginalized communities, ensuring AI advancement does not widen existing inequalities.
Key Takeaways for Digital Empowerment
- Inclusion Must Be Intentional
Women’s access to AI tools cannot be assumed. Deliberate investment in infrastructure, mentorship, and digital literacy is essential for genuine digital empowerment.
- Digital Safety is a Policy Priority
Online harassment, privacy violations, and AI-enabled bias create major barriers. Stronger AI policy and institutional safeguards are needed to protect women in digital spaces.
- Collaboration Drives Change
Government, civil society, development partners, and tech leaders must work together to create scalable solutions that support AI for women and inclusive innovation.
- Women Must Lead Policy Design
Gender-responsive AI policy must be shaped by women’s lived experiences, not just at the beneficiary level, but at leadership and decision-making tables.
Tech Herfrica’s Commitment to Inclusive AI Advancement
At Tech Herfrica, empowering women through technology remains central to our mission. From supporting rural women with digital skills to promoting financial inclusion and STEM opportunities for girls, our work focuses on building pathways for sustainable economic empowerment.
The Gender Gaps Forum reinforced that AI advancement in Nigeria must be inclusive, ethical, and accessible, especially for women traditionally excluded from digital opportunities. Through partnerships like this, Tech Herfrica continues to advocate for systems that allow women not only to participate in the digital economy but to lead within it.
Conclusion
The Gender Gaps Forum was more than a policy conversation, it was a call to action. As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, women must not be left behind in conversations around AI governance, innovation, and digital safety.
Inclusive AI ecosystems require deliberate collaboration, stronger AI policy, and sustained investment in women’s digital futures. Tech Herfrica remains committed to driving this change, ensuring that women and girls across Africa have the tools, opportunities, and safety to thrive in the future of technology.