Kenya Calls for Greater Investment in Women and Girls in STEM

By Faith wanza mueni 

Photo: Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba 

NAIROBI, Sept. 3, 2026 — The government has called for increased investment in education, research and innovation to empower more women and girls to participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.

Speaking during the Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said Africa’s development ambitions would require a generation equipped with strong STEM skills and the confidence to innovate.

Ogamba said education systems must go beyond preparing young people to seek employment and instead equip them to create knowledge, technologies and solutions to address challenges facing the continent.

“The Africa we want to build will require a generation that is confident in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Our responsibility is to ensure that girls are given the same opportunity to learn, experiment, innovate and lead. We must create education systems that do not only prepare young people to look for jobs, but also empower them to become creators of knowledge, technology and solutions.”

He said strengthening STEM education requires collaboration between government, schools, universities, industry and development partners.

According to Ogamba, creating supportive learning environments will help girls view STEM not only as an academic pathway but also as an avenue for leadership, entrepreneurship and economic independence.

His remarks came as stakeholders from government, academia, industry, technology, research and the private sector gathered for the two-day summit, organised by Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) in partnership with UNESCO.

The summit, held under the theme “Discovering Talent. Driving Innovation. Shaping Africa’s Future,” focused on leadership, policy, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, research and opportunities for women and girls in STEM.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala said universities must play a greater role in transforming research and innovation into solutions that benefit society.

She called for stronger partnerships between universities, research institutions, industry and the wider innovation ecosystem to create pathways for women researchers, scientists, engineers and innovators to take their ideas from classrooms and laboratories to the marketplace.

“Our universities must become more than places where knowledge is transferred. They must become engines of research, innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving. We must create pathways for women researchers, scientists, engineers and innovators to move their ideas from laboratories and classrooms into the marketplace and into communities where they can create impact.”Beatrice said.

Inyangala said higher education institutions must remain responsive to Africa’s changing skills and innovation needs while creating more opportunities for women to participate in research and technology.

The summit also featured discussions on building an inclusive innovation ecosystem, with participants examining responsible artificial intelligence, data governance, digital transformation, technology policy and inclusion.

The discussions emphasised the need for policies and institutional frameworks that enable women, young people and emerging technology entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in Africa’s innovation economy.

An Investor Pitch Arena also provided startups and innovators with an opportunity to present their solutions to investors, industry leaders and potential partners. WITIA awarded the winning startup KSh500,000 to support its growth and scaling, while also creating opportunities for the founder to engage potential investors and venture capital partners.

The initiative was aimed at addressing the gap between promising ideas and access to capital, particularly for African women and young innovators seeking to commercialise their solutions.

The summit further highlighted the importance of partnerships in expanding opportunities for women and girls in STEM. WITIA said its programmes, including technical training, mentorship, internships, scholarships and Smart Libraries, are designed to bridge the gender and digital divide while expanding access to technology and skills.

The Smart Libraries programme, in particular, seeks to create technology-enabled learning environments where young people can access books, digital resources and technology while developing skills relevant to the future of work.

The summit concluded with a call for sustained investment in education, research, digital skills, mentorship, infrastructure, financing and inclusive innovation policies.

Stakeholders said Africa possesses significant talent, creativity and entrepreneurial potential, but unlocking this potential requires deliberate investment and stronger collaboration across sectors.

The summit organisers said empowering women and girls in STEM should not be viewed solely as a question of representation, but as an important component of Africa’s educational, economic and technological transformation.