Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: WAICTANet Launches “WiGTech-MRU” to Empower Women and Girls in Technology Across the Mano River Union
In a region where fewer than 20% of ICT professionals are women, the West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet) is taking bold steps to close the digital gender divide with the new groundbreaking initiative — the Women & Girls in Technology (WiGTech-MRU) program.
Spanning Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, WiGTech-MRU is designed to empower women and girls through digital skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities, positioning them at the forefront of West Africa’s digital transformation. “WiGTech-MRU is not just another project — it’s a unique platform. We are creating pathways for women and girls to lead in technology, innovation, and digital policy across the Mano River Union,” said Peterking Quaye, Regional Director of WAICTANet. “Through training, mentorship, and opportunity, we are transforming potential into leadership and lasting impact.”
The initiative aligns with the AU Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030), ECOWAS Gender Policy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (4, 5, 8, and 9), while supporting national digital-inclusion strategies in the MRU countries. The West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet) is a regional multi-stakeholder platform advancing inclusive digital transformation and governance across the Mano River Union (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire). Through policy advocacy, research, and capacity-building initiatives, WAICTANet promotes access, innovation, and digital rights for all.
WiGTech-MRU logo and website, symbolizing the beginning of a coordinated effort to empower women and girls across borders. “This initiative represents more than empowerment—it’s about inclusion, leadership, and economic resilience,” noted Claudette Abigial Walker, WAICTANet-Women & Media Programs Lead “For the first time, I see a regional platform built to help women like me scale our digital innovations.” Program Focus and Vision -WiGTech-MRU will operate on four strategic pillars:
- Digital Skills Accelerator – Training in coding, cybersecurity, AI, and data literacy for young women and girls.
- Women in Innovation & Entrepreneurship Fund (WiIEF) – Seed funding and business incubation for women-led startups.
- Mentorship & Leadership Network – Connecting established ICT professionals with emerging female innovators.
- Women in Digital Leadership Forum (WIDLF) – An annual policy and advocacy dialogue promoting gender-responsive digital frameworks.
