One of the first female innovators who deeply inspired me is Elisabeth Moreno. When I was living in France, her journey resonated with me not only because she looked like me — a successful Black woman in tech—but also because of her strong commitment to Africa. Her career reflects the power of resilience and dedication: from starting as an entrepreneur at 20, to becoming a global executive managing teams across four continents, a consular judge, and eventually the French Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities. Elisabeth’s work highlights her belief that business should serve a greater good, and she has consistently advocated for social and environmental responsibility. Her commitment to advancing equality and inclusion, particularly for women and minorities, is unwavering.

Elisabeth’s dedication to Africa has also been a beacon of inspiration for me. She frequently emphasizes the importance of empowering African talent and fostering opportunities across the continent. Her initiatives extend beyond France, aiming to uplift African women in tech and support Africa’s growing digital ecosystem. This passion for driving impact in Africa resonates deeply with me, as it aligns with my mission to support the talented women I work alongside in Côte d’Ivoire’s tech scene. Her achievements, coupled with her commitment to the continent, fuel my own dedication to uplifting the African tech community and making a meaningful difference.

Moving to Abidjan allowed me to discover an incredible ecosystem of women who are quietly making strides in the tech field. The most inspiring group of role model is definitely for me my members of “Abidjanaises in Tech,” a collective of over 300 women I interact with each week. Many of them work tirelessly, often with less recognition, to drive Côte d’Ivoire’s digital progress. These women are truly inspirational—they include app developers, C-suite leaders of major tech companies, certified AI professionals, international speakers, and even women leading digital impact programs. Some of them have raised substantial funds, established widely-followed tech media platforms, and initiated large-scale projects that highlight Côte d’Ivoire on the global stage. Supporting these women, helping to spotlight their achievements, and learning from their experiences continues to shape my own journey in the tech world. It gives me the strength to continue my mission across Africa to empower women in tech.

Over the next decade, I envision a growing and collaborative force of women in tech that transcends borders, building strong alliances and networks that amplify our impact across continents. This vision aligns with our mission at Abidjanaises in Tech and the broader Africaines in Tech network, where we aim to foster synergy not only within each African country but across the entire Francophone region. By connecting and collaborating beyond borders, we create a powerful support system and a unified voice that drives the advancement of women in tech.

It’s also essential that women are present as creators and designers of the technologies that will shape our future, rather than being only users. Women must play a role in crafting solutions that reflect our unique perspectives and address the real challenges we face, particularly as technology continues to impact every aspect of life.

When it comes to emerging trends, it’s critical to increase female representation in technical roles and decision-making positions. Fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and areas traditionally rooted in social challenges—like healthcare, finance, and agriculture—are especially significant. Women bring invaluable insights to these domains, often rooted in our roles in community support and equitable access. This is particularly important in Africa, where women are disproportionately affected by economic and social vulnerabilities; with more women leading in these sectors, we can drive innovations that address community-specific issues and empower others.

Finally, trends like inclusive finance, AI ethics, and data privacy etc present unique opportunities for women to lead. These areas resonate with women’s historical roles in advocating for equitable access and community-focused solutions. Across Côte d’Ivoire and Africa, there’s an increasing demand for digital skills, and I’m inspired by the way women are stepping up to lead in financial inclusion, digital literacy, and other fields. Supporting female-driven initiatives that foster inclusive solutions and drive digital transformation is essential to ensuring a future where women are at the forefront of Africa’s tech landscape.

My advice to young women entering tech is to stay curious and continuously build their skills. The tech industry moves quickly, and learning is a lifelong process. It’s essential to seek out mentors, network actively, and find safe communities where they can connect with others facing similar challenges. I would also encourage them to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

To foster diversity and inclusion, it’s crucial that organizations and governments collaborate on creating safe, supportive environments for women in tech. This includes not only hiring more women but also offering mentorship programs, targeted training, and flexible work policies. Community-led initiatives also play a significant role in bringing visibility to female talent and advocating for policies that support a more inclusive industry. We need to continue breaking down systemic barriers and championing women who are making an impact.