Konza Technopolis Hosts Women in Tech Summit as Microsoft Launches AI Skills Programme
Konza Technopolis has taken a leading role in advancing women’s participation in the digital economy, hosting the inaugural Thrive, Elevate & Celebrate (TEC) Women Summit 2026, where Microsoft unveiled a major AI skills programme targeting women.
Held under Konza’s Silicon Savannah Woman programme, the summit organized in partnership with EdSource through its InnovateHer initiative brought together over 200 stakeholders from technology, creative industries, academia, government, and civil society. Backed by Microsoft and the International Labour Organization, the forum highlighted growing momentum toward inclusive digital transformation in Kenya.
Chief Guest Mary Kerema, Secretary for ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy, called for deliberate inclusion of women and youth in shaping Kenya’s digital future, emphasizing that women must play a central role in designing and leading technological innovation.
A key highlight of the summit was the launch of Microsoft’s AI Skills 4 Women programme, a free online training platform offering courses in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and responsible AI use. The initiative also integrates mentorship and leadership development, positioning women to compete in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Microsoft’s National AI Skills Director Winnie Karanu underscored the urgency of building inclusive AI capacity, noting that every sector is increasingly becoming technology-driven and reliant on artificial intelligence.
The summit comes at a time when Kenya is accelerating its digital transformation agenda, with rising demand for AI-related skills across industries. Stakeholders stressed that closing the gender gap in technology is critical to sustaining innovation and economic growth.
Participants engaged in discussions on key themes shaping Kenya’s digital and creative economy, including gender-responsive digital policies, inclusive smart cities, AI talent development, digital rights, and financing for women-led enterprises. The conversations reinforced the role of the digital economy as a driver of growth and opportunity.
The forum culminated in the adoption of the TEC Summit Declaration, outlining ten priority actions aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in the digital space. These include expanding access to digital opportunities, investing in inclusive skills development, unlocking financing, promoting safe digital environments, and establishing a Kenya Gender, Inclusion & Digital Transformation Observatory to track progress.
According to Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri, inclusion must be central to building a future-ready digital economy, noting that the technopolis is actively fostering equal opportunities for women in leadership and innovation.
The summit, convened alongside partners such as the Kenya Film Commission and the National Gender and Equality Commission, marks a significant step in aligning public and private sector efforts toward a more inclusive, innovation-driven digital future.
