Following the success of its seventh edition in Paris, La Journée de la Femme Digitale (Digital Women's Day) reveals the highlights of its first event in Africa, which will be held on June 13 and 14 in Dakar, Senegal, under the theme "They Are Changing the World." This is a first for the African continent for this event, founded in 2013 by Delphine REMY-BOUTANG, which aims to honor and connect women who are working to revolutionize the world through digital technology.
"We are honored that the Senegalese capital has been chosen to launch the internationalization of Digital Women's Day in Africa. Our country has strong ambitions to strengthen and develop ICT and create a sustainable digital economy, which we support through numerous initiatives such as the "Dakar Digital City" project," explains Soham EL WARDINI, Mayor of Dakar.
After the César Awards, the Oscars… the Margaret Awards!
Through the "Margaret" Award, Digital Women's Day pays tribute each year to Margaret Hamilton, the NASA computer scientist who made it possible for the first man to walk on the moon. The award recognizes a digital woman committed to a better world.
On this occasion, the award will honor, for the first time on African soil, the Margaret of the first edition of the JFD, Arielle KITIO, Founder of Caysti, and the Margaret of Honor, Rebecca ENONCHONG, Founder of AppsTech. These two African entrepreneurs will receive congratulations from the Senegalese Minister of Digital Economy and Telecommunications, Ndeye Tické NDIAYE DIOP, and from Babacar KANE, Managing Director of IBM for West Africa.
Among the speakers announced for Digital Women's Day in Dakar are several renowned digital leaders and entrepreneurs: Yacine BARRO-BOURGAULT, Managing Director of Microsoft for West and Central Africa, Diana BRONDEL, Founder of Xaalys, Virginie DIAS-TAGNON, Director of Human Resources for the L'Oréal Group in Africa, Nafissatou DIOUF, Founder of SenVitale, Momar NGUER, President of the Marketing & Services division and member of Total's Executive Committee, and Afua OSEI, Co-Founder of She Leads Africa.
DISCOVER THE FULL PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS FOR JUNE 13:
https://lajourneedelafemmedigitale.fr/jfd-dakar/
"Because the internet has no borders, we need to build bridges between continents, between these women entrepreneurs who are changing the world. We must do this in Europe, but also with Africa, which has the highest rate of women entrepreneurs in the world. We are counting on the strength of the collective, both locally and internationally, to meet the challenge of better representation for women."
June 14 in Dakar: the JFD Learning Expedition
"For us, being part of the first Digital Women's Day in Africa is more than just a symbol, it's a powerful message. It allows us to reaffirm our commitment to gender diversity and equality in the digital sector on the continent, while also introducing as many people as possible to this vibrant ecosystem of pioneering talent and innovative initiatives led by women in the digital ecosystem. " says Rokhaya Solange NDIR, Sonatel's Digital Ecosystem Relations Manager.
The program for this first edition includes training, confidence building, and financing, with the aim of accelerating diversity in the digital world. This is because only 2.2% of financing from global investment funds currently benefits women, says Delphine REMY-BOUTANG, CEO of the bureau and co-founder of Digital Women's Day.
June 14 will be dedicated to discovering the cutting-edge entrepreneurial and technological innovation ecosystem in Dakar, in partnership with the telephone operator Orange-Sonatel.
Sonatel Academy, Senegal's first free coding school, is one of the key players in the sector that will open its doors for the JFD Learning Expedition, organized with the kind participation of several influential digital women from the sub-region.
Jokkolabs, West Africa's first collaborative workspace, Société Générale's Innovation Lab, CTIC, one of the most successful incubators in the sub-region, the Kinaya Lab platform, Festic, which focuses on ICT and development actors, Fodem (Dakar Municipal Development and Solidarity Fund), and the Institut Français Léopold Sédar Senghor will do the same.
In addition to these visits, the JFD Learning Expedition will allow participants to experience the latest innovations and interact with local investors and entrepreneurs.
Source: Press release