Women in Tech Awards 2026 to Explore Leadership and Innovation in South Africa

The Women in Tech Awards 2026, taking place on 24 November, will feature a diverse lineup of speakers who will examine the intersection of technology, leadership, and innovation in South Africa. Under the theme "Tech Believers," the event aims to bring together women who comprehend the decisions that shape the tech industry. The speakers include Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust, who notes that believing in a technology business takes nerve and that the event provides a platform for women to share their experiences and connect with others.

The leadership gap in South Africa's ICT sector is a significant concern, with women accounting for 46% of employees in 2024/25 but holding only 1,351 of 4,700 top-management posts. This gap affects who can approve investment, choose suppliers, and decide which products get built. The Women in Tech Awards 2026 aims to address this issue by providing a platform for women to share their experiences and connect with others. The event will feature a fireside chat, "The Audacity to Believe," which will explore what it takes to lead when decisions carry consequences.

The event will feature a range of speakers with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Nyari Samushonga, Executive Chair of WeThinkCode, works to develop software talent, while Yashmita Bhana, Founder and Group CEO of Nihka Technology Group, has built a South African technology company over 18 years. Kaluba Chikonde, known as "The Queen of Data," is a Clarity Engineer, AI strategist, and Senior Data & AI Engineering Lead at Livetec Systems. Her work focuses on addressing biosecurity challenges using AI.

The Women in Tech Awards 2026 will also explore the role of policy and competition rules in shaping the development and use of AI tools. Dr. Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, who directs internationalisation and strategic partnerships at the University of Pretoria, will discuss the importance of turning AI tools into practical business value. Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Comms and Technology (ACT), will provide insights into the policies and competition rules that shape the ICT sector.

Access to capital and markets is a significant challenge for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs). Cleola Kunene, Fund Partner and Executive Director at Equate, leads Equate Trade Finance, a debt fund designed to unlock capital for South African SMEs. Tanya Briggs, a Supply Chain Business Partner at Vodacom, designs and implements supplier development initiatives to help SMMEs strengthen their competitiveness and grow within corporate supply chains.

Visibility can be a powerful tool for creative businesses, but it is only the start. Kim Jayde, a Pan-African creative entrepreneur, has built a successful YouTube series and has spoken at Cannes Lions in 2025 and 2026. Her story shows how visibility can carry a creative platform across the continent. However, leadership determines how influence is put to work, and Ati Ngubevana, Group Executive Head: Intelligent Automation (IA) & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Go-To-Market at Vodacom Group, leads the strategic adoption, commercialisation, and scaling of AI and automation solutions across Africa.

The influence of these decisions extends beyond the boardroom and technology sector to businesses shaping how people live and work across Africa. Mwamvita Makamba, a Tanzanian entrepreneur, investor, and author, is Founder and Chair of MMConnect Africa Group, which spans inclusive finance, clean and portable energy, the carbon economy, lifestyle, and experiences across Africa. The Women in Tech Awards 2026 provides a platform for women like Makamba to share their experiences and inspire others.

Key points

• The Women in Tech Awards 2026 aims to address the leadership gap in South Africa's ICT sector by providing a platform for women to share their experiences and connect with others.
• The event will explore the role of policy and competition rules in shaping the development and use of AI tools.
• Access to capital and markets is a significant challenge for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), and the event will feature speakers who can provide insights into these issues.