There’s something magical about a room filled with women who are unapologetically owning their space and sharing their stories. That’s exactly what the ATG International Women’s Day Lunch Celebration felt like, a beautiful reminder of how powerful we are when we come together. While International Women’s Day may have passed, the energy and inspiration from that day are still very much alive. And as we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the moments that made the event so special. A Call to Action: “Take, Don’t Just Give” One of the most resonant moments of the day came from Olumide Balogun, Country Manager of Google West Africa. He challenged us to rethink how we approach International Women’s Day. Instead of just talking and taking pictures, he urged us to take action, advocate for more women in STEM, push for leadership roles, and create opportunities for the next generation. Then he said something that stuck with me:“Have a mindset of someone who wants to take rather than give.” At first, it felt a little counterintuitive. As women, we’re often taught to give our time, our energy, our ideas, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. But Olumide’s message was a wake-up call: it’s time to take our seat at the table. To own our ambitions, claim our space, and unapologetically go after what we deserve. It’s not about being selfish; it’s about recognizing our worth and stepping into our power. From Digital Access to Tech Leadership: A Panel That Lit a Fire The panel session, “From Digital Access to Tech Leadership,” was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the day. Moderated by the brilliant Temiloluwa Makanjuola, Strategic Advisor for Afro Tech Girls, the conversation was raw, real, and deeply empowering. Our incredible panelists, Ugochi Agoreyo (Partnership Lead, Google Sub-Saharan Africa), Felicia Okoye Otolorin (Head, Financial Services Industry at Google West Africa), Temitope Akintola (Backend Engineer at Moniepoint), and Florence Egwu (Backend Engineer at Moniepoint) shared their journeys, struggles, and triumphs. Here are some gems that stayed with me: • Advocate for Yourself: Don’t wait for someone to notice your hard work. Speak up, own your wins, and make your ambitions known. • Your Work Speaks for You: Excellence is your best advocate. Consistently deliver quality, and your reputation will open doors. • Find Your Tribe: A mentor or sponsor can be a game-changer. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will push you forward. • Break the Bias: As women in tech, we often face unique challenges. But as Felicia reminded us, “Your uniqueness is your superpower. Use it to stand out.” The session wasn’t just about sharing stories, it was a call to action. A reminder that while the road to leadership isn’t always easy, it’s absolutely possible. And necessary. Networking Bingo: Building Genuine Connections The Networking Bingo activity was a hit, giving everyone a chance to break the ice and connect in a fun, relaxed way. It was amazing to see so many conversations flowing naturally, whether you were sharing career tips, swapping stories, or simply getting to know someone new. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best connections happen when we let our guard down and just enjoy the moment. Gratitude to Our Incredible Supporters This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing sponsors, Google and Moniepoint, who are committed to creating opportunities for women in tech. We’re also deeply grateful to the team behind the scenes, Oluwaseun Oladeji, Emioluwa Opaluwa, and Temiloluwa Makanjuola for their hard work and dedication. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our co-founders, Yvonne Allanah Ndu, Adeola Shasanya, and Morenike Adewale-Sadik for their vision and leadership. This community wouldn’t be what it is without you. What’s Next? Opportunities Just for You! As we celebrate Women’s History Month, here are some exciting opportunities to help you grow, connect, and thrive: • Moniepoint Women in Tech Internship 4.0: Ready to kickstart your tech career? Apply here • Microsoft Scholarship Program for Women in STEM: Up to $5,000 to support your education. Learn more. • Freelance Side Hustles for Creatives: Check out these 11 ideas to boost your income in 2025. Tech Tidbits: Quick Updates from the Tech World Here are a few interesting updates from the tech space that you might find useful: • Google might be breaking up with itself? • Chowdeck has cut off 68% of their contract staff, check it out here • Finally, Telegram has introduced new features to tackle unsolicited messages and improve user privacy. • How to crack online job interviews for techies by a 21 years old. To learn more, check it out here Let’s Keep the Conversation Going We’d love to hear your thoughts on the event! Take a few minutes to fill out this survey. Your feedback will help us make future events even better. And don’t forget, we’ve shared some photos from the event. Feel free to tag us on social media when you post them. Let’s keep celebrating each other and building this amazing community. Submit your details Final Thoughts This year’s IWD celebration was a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much further we can go. As women, we wear many crowns: innovators, leaders and mentors. Let’s continue to wear them proudly, support one another, and take up space in every room we enter. Here’s to more celebrations, more connections, and more action. Cheers to us, and cheers to the future we’re building together.

Every woman in our community deserves to be celebrated, and this International Women’s Day, we’re doing just that! On March 5, 2025, at 9:00 AM WAT, we’re bringing together the brightest minds, the most inspiring leaders, and an incredible group of women in tech for Afro Tech Girls IWD: Accelerate Action, an in-person experience designed to uplift, empower, and connect. Why You Should Be There This isn’t just another event; it’s a moment for us to come together, share our journeys, and support one another. Expect: • Inspiring guest speakers from Google who will share insights on leadership, tech, and career growth. • Engaging leadership conversations that will challenge and empower you. • Speed networking (the fun kind!), where you’ll meet amazing women in STEM, exchange ideas, and maybe even find your next collaborator or mentor! More than anything, it’s a space to celebrate you, your wins, your growth, and your journey. Let’s make this IWD a day to remember. Save a spot with the link Another Opportunity: Laptop Scholarship Support We know that access to the right tools can make or break your journey in tech. That’s why we’re launching the Laptop Scholarship Support, an initiative aimed at supporting five young African women in STEM who need laptops to advance their careers or education. If you’ve ever felt like a laptop was the missing piece to taking your skills to the next level, we want to help bridge that gap. • Apply here: Laptop Scholarship Application • Deadline: February 21, 2025 This is your chance to take a step closer to your goals, whether it’s learning to code, building your portfolio, or landing that dream job. See You There? We can’t wait to celebrate and connect with you this IWD! Whether you’re joining us in person or applying for the scholarship, remember: you are seen, you are valued, and you belong in tech. 💜

We mentioned it during our End-of-Year Celebration, and now it’s time to dive in. Say hello to the Afro Tech Girls Talent Hive, a new platform designed to connect skilled African women in tech with remote and contract opportunities worldwide. The statistics don’t lie: too many young women are left without access to education, employment, or training. We see this gap, and we’re doing something about it. The Talent Hive is here to bridge that gap and help women like you step into opportunities you deserve. Starting in January 2025, we’re rolling out a three-month pilot program with openings for these roles: • Social Media Manager • Graphic Designer • Virtual Assistant/Project Coordinator If you’ve been waiting for a chance to put your skills to work, this is it. By joining the Hive, you won’t just find opportunities to grow professionally—you’ll also gain access to resources that will help you become even better at what you do. Think technical and soft skills learning, a supportive network, and real-world experience working on global projects. Here’s the thing: this opportunity is only available to Afro Tech Girls community members. If you’re part of our growing network, you’re already eligible to apply. Not a member yet? This is your sign to join the community. Applications close December 20, so don’t wait too long. Click here to start your application:Apply to the Talent Hive We know the impact skilled African women can make when given the right tools and platforms. That’s what the Talent Hive is all about. Let’s start 2025 strong together.

"Learning is not a race, but a journey to be savored.”- Unknown The recent Teach Your Community event was a resounding success, featuring a captivating panel discussion moderated by the Community Manager, Oladeji Oluwaseun. The event brought together the beneficiaries of the Afro Tech Girls x IHS Tableau program, Adeyinka Daboh and Mba Chinenye, who shared their invaluable insights into the transformative power of Tableau and the importance of consistent learning. Adeyinka Daboh, a Data Annotator, emphasized the significance of perseverance and consistency in her learning journey. Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood and studies, she remained dedicated to her goals, driven by the support of the Afro Tech Girls community and her family. Her hard work paid off, as she not only excelled in the program but also became a valuable resource for her colleagues, facilitating data-related sessions. Adeyinka's inspiring message, "No knowledge is a waste," resonated with the audience, encouraging them to embrace lifelong learning. Mba Chinenye, a GIS Analyst/Surveyor, also shared her personal experiences and offered valuable tips for navigating the learning process. She highlighted the importance of defining one's career path and staying focused on relevant courses. Her powerful quote, "If you are doing nothing about your career yet, it affects people around you," served as a reminder of the impact that personal growth can have on both individuals and communities. Watch the Recap ATG Teach Your Community Want to Share Your Knowledge? Are you passionate about empowering your community and sharing your expertise? If so, we invite you to join our Teach Your Community initiative. Reach out to our Community Manager via WhatsApp to learn more about how you can contribute to this meaningful cause. Stay Tuned Be on the lookout for more exciting editions of the Teach Your Community event, where we'll continue to bring together inspiring individuals to share their knowledge and make a positive impact. Exciting News: Afro Tech Girls Design Contest We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Afro Tech Girls Design Contest. This exciting opportunity is open to all members of the Afro Tech Girls community who are passionate about design. Prize: • The winning design will be proudly featured on official Afro Tech Girls products. • The creator of the winning design will receive a cash prize. To participate, please visit: Design contest page Don't miss out on this chance to showcase your creativity and contribute to the Afro Tech Girls community!