{"id":2000106217,"date":"2026-03-23T18:05:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/?p=2000106217"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:18:40","slug":"alx-rwanda-empowers-women-in-tech-through-partnerships-and-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/alx-rwanda-empowers-women-in-tech-through-partnerships-and-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"ALX Rwanda empowers women in tech through partnerships and opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over the course of a single week in March 2026, ALX Rwanda hosted and participated in two impactful Women in Tech engagements, one in collaboration with HerinTech on March 14 and another with Lead Access on March 17. While each event had its own focus, both were united by a shared mission of empowering women with the confidence, connections, and capabilities needed to thrive in tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partnership-driven empowerment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The March 14 engagement, organised in partnership with HerinTech, brought together young women, students, and industry professionals under the theme \u201cRights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.\u201d The session created a dynamic and inclusive space for learning, dialogue, and inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While each event had its own focus, both were united by a shared mission of empowering women with the confidence, connections, and capabilities needed to thrive in tech.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speakers, including Linda Ikirezi, Founder of HerinTech, emphasised the importance of intentional collaboration in creating opportunities for women. Their message underscored a key reality that advancing women in tech requires ecosystems rather than isolated efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event featured contributions from industry professionals and partners, including Marie Grace Niwemukiza from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Arnould Gabiro, Software Engineer at Umurava, and Fleury, a representative from NCBA Bank spoke at the event. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, from career journeys in tech to often-overlooked conversations such as women\u2019s reproductive health, creating a holistic environment that addressed both personal and professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Linda Ikirezi, Founder of HerinTech, emphasised the importance of intentional collaboration in creating opportunities for women. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A panel discussion moderated by Liliose Gashugi brought together experienced professionals, including Simonneta Perles from Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali, Eliane Irankunda Kamana from Irembo, and Resire Mboneko, a Kigali-based Information Security Manager. They shared candid insights on navigating male-dominated industries, with their collective message resonating strongly with participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShow up\u2014scared, nervous, or uncertain\u2014but always show up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The engagement also featured presentations from young innovators, including students from SOS Technical School, demonstrating early-stage creativity and highlighting the importance of nurturing talent from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panel discussions featured experienced professionals who shared candid insights on navigating male-dominated industries, with their message resonating strongly with participants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The keynote speech by Grace Ingabire, CEO of RICTA, left a lasting impression. She spoke about the importance of being audacious, challenging stereotypes, and taking action before feeling \u2018ready.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her message resonated deeply, noting that growth comes from stepping forward rather than waiting for perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What followed was pure joy, with music, dance, and a lively after-party led by the students themselves. From Amapiano challenges to spontaneous moments of connection, the atmosphere reflected something deeper than fun, showcasing a sense of community, connection, and shared celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ALX workshop with Lead Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just days later, ALX Rwanda, in partnership with Lead Access, hosted a Women in Tech workshop at the ALX Rwanda Hub in Nyarutarama. Held under the theme \u201cGive to Gain\u201d, the session brought together aspiring technologists, learners, and industry leaders in an interactive environment centred on mentorship, leadership, and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The workshop highlighted Rwanda\u2019s growing position as a hub for digital talent and innovation. Speaking at the event, Sandra Kabongoyi, Partnership Manager at ALX Africa, emphasised the importance of inclusivity in shaping the future of the digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ALX Women in Tech events coincided with International Women\u2019s Month, highlighting the celebration of women\u2019s achievements while fostering dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment in the tech space.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The program featured a panel discussion with prominent women in tech, including Noella Mupole, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Solid Africa, Linda Ikirezi, Founder of HerinTech Rwanda, and Micha\u00eblla Rugwizangoga, CEO of WiseAfrica, moderated by Jacinta Gitau. The discussion explored personal journeys marked by resilience, persistence, and growth, with panellists sharing experiences overcoming gender barriers, self-doubt, and structural challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A key message emerged throughout the session: mentorship and continuous learning remain essential pillars for women building careers in technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Micha\u00eblla Rugwizangoga highlighted the broader ecosystem\u2019s role in enabling women\u2019s progress, while Ingabire Muziga Mamy, Co-founder of Charis UAS Ltd, delivered a motivational talk emphasising purposeful innovation and leadership:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe future digital economy must be built by women, not just used by women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The engagements sparked inspiration, learning, and connection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She further encouraged participants to tackle local challenges as a pathway to global relevance, reinforcing the idea that innovation often begins within one\u2019s immediate environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many participants across both events, the experience went beyond inspiration. It provided practical exposure, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence in their ability to pursue careers in technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learners like Apophia Usanabaganwa from ALX Rwanda described the experience as transformative, noting how interactions with speakers and peers helped restore confidence and reaffirm ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m really happy about what happened today. We\u2019ve been reminded that women are capable of everything,\u201d she said. \u201cMy hope had dropped in recent days, but today it rose again because of the engaging words from the guests. Right now, I\u2019m very confident that I\u2019m able to do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also highlighted the role of ALX in her personal growth, noting that the program has equipped her with practical skills, including AI Career Essentials, and valuable connections to support her career journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
For many participants across both events, the experience went beyond inspiration. It provided practical exposure, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence in their ability to pursue careers in technology.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ALX at the centre of a growing ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through both engagements, ALX Rwanda played a central role not only as a host but as a convener of partnerships, ideas, and opportunities. By working alongside organisations such as HerinTech and Lead Access, ALX continues to strengthen a collaborative ecosystem that supports women at different stages of their tech journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the core of ALX\u2019s model is a focus on accessible, flexible, and future-ready learning. Through a hybrid model that combines intensive online technical tracks, ranging from software engineering and data science to AI career essentials, with in-person collaboration at its Kigali Tech Hub, the organisation bridges the gap between traditional education and the modern workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By leveraging strategic partnerships with the Government of Rwanda and global tech entities, ALX focuses on large-scale youth employability, offering fully sponsored programs and advanced AI learning tools like “Chidi” to foster a knowledge-based economy and drive regional innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dozens of young women in tech attended the events.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Panellists shared real-world insights on navigating and thriving in tech careers.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Held under the theme \u201cGive to Gain\u201d, the session brought together aspiring technologists, learners, and industry leaders in an interactive environment centred on mentorship, leadership, and innovation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Sandra Kabongoyi, Partnership Manager at ALX Africa, emphasised the importance of inclusivity in shaping the future of the digital economy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Through both engagements, ALX Rwanda played a central role not only as a host but as a convener of partnerships, ideas, and opportunities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
For many participants, the experience went beyond inspiration, offering practical exposure, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence to pursue careers in technology.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Participants gained valuable insights from experienced professionals in the Women in Tech space.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The engagement also featured presentations from young innovators, including students from SOS Technical School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The participants cut a cake to mark International Women\u2019s Month.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The events offered practical exposure, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence to pursue tech careers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Across Rwanda and the wider African continent, the conversation around women in technology is evolving from awareness to meaningful action. At ALX Rwanda, this transformation is being driven through a clear approach that combines skills development, community building, and strategic partnerships to create real pathways into the digital economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000106284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000106217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-technology","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000106284,"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":1000,"height":667,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","width":150,"height":100},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","width":300,"height":200},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","width":768,"height":512},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alx-main-photo.jpg","width":1000,"height":667}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000106217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000106217"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000106217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000106367,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000106217\/revisions\/2000106367"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000106284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000106217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000106217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000106217"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000106217"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000106217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}