WeTech, co-founded by Gabriella and Flora Uwadiegwu, is flipping the script on Nigeria’s male-dominated tech scene by equipping women and girls with the skills, funding, mentorship, and community they need to lead and own the future of tech.
In 2018, the Uwadiegwu sisters identified a clear gap: not enough Nigerian women were breaking into tech, and those who did lacked the mentorship, funding, and visibility necessary for growth. In response, Gabriella and Flora established WeTech, a nonprofit dedicated to providing women with the tools, access, and support they need to thrive in technology and entrepreneurship. Seven years later, WeTech has become one of Nigeria’s most impactful platforms for women in tech.
What WeTech does
WeTech operates as a full-circle support system for women in tech. Their programs focus on mentorship through personalised, structured guidance from experienced professionals. In addition, they offer professional development via workshops, webinars, and training on resume building, job preparation, and leadership.
They also provide access to funding through seed capital opportunities made available via pitch competitions and scholarships. Networking is another critical piece they use to connect women with industry leaders, investors, and hiring partners. Finally, WeTech fosters community building through events, support groups, and an alumni network of women in tech.
Their impact is not limited to women already in the industry. They work with high school girls, college students, and early-stage entrepreneurs to build a more inclusive pipeline from the ground up.
Their flagship: The Women in Tech conference
WeTech’s biggest annual event is the Women in Tech Conference, held every September. In 2024, it marked their 5th anniversary and drew over 1,500 women to Lagos.
During the conference, participants attend panels, workshops, and mentorship sessions. One major highlight is the pitch competition called PitchHER, where women founders compete for startup funding. The 2024 winner, Middleman, a B2B e-commerce platform for Africa-China trade, secured ₦4 million in seed funding, thanks to sponsorship from Flutterwave.
Mentorship that moves the needle
WeTech doesn’t offer surface-level mentorship. Its programs are long-term and tailored. One of its most notable initiatives is the WeTech Qualcomm Global Scholars Program, backed by Goldman Sachs and the Institute of International Education. This program includes a scholarship and a six-month mentorship with industry professionals. It involves monthly goals such as resume development, strengths assessments, mock interviews, and networking practice, culminating in a final in-person meetup with mentors and peers.
Beyond this, other mentorship programs include after-school STEM clubs, virtual one-on-one sessions, and access to mentors during WeTech events.
Early engagement: Afterschool and STEM for girls
WeTech also runs after-school programs to expose high school girls to tech early. These sessions cover mobile app development, team projects, and leadership skills. They also provide exposure to successful female tech role models, entrepreneurial training, and soft skill development. The goal is to help girls see tech as a viable, exciting path and give them the tools to pursue it.
Big goals, bigger vision
Over the years, thousands of women have participated in WeTech programs. They are already connecting with the African tech diaspora, aligning their work with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and looking to scale across Africa without losing focus on personalised support.
