- CS Ogamba has called for African education systems to give girls equal opportunities to learn, experiment and lead in STEM fields.
- Ogamba has urged stakeholders at the Women in STEM Africa Summit to move beyond job-market preparation toward producing creators of technology and innovation.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has called for a deliberate shift in Africa’s education systems to ensure girls and women are not left behind in the continent’s rapidly evolving technology and innovation landscape.
Speaking at the opening of the Women in STEM Africa Summit 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Ogamba said Africa’s technological transformation could not be complete without women occupying a central role in shaping the continent’s digital future. He challenged education stakeholders to move beyond simply preparing young people to enter the job market and instead equip them to become creators of knowledge, technology and practical solutions.
“Girls must be given equal opportunities to learn, experiment, innovate and lead,” Ogamba said, underscoring the need to remove barriers that continue to limit the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Ogamba said education systems must evolve alongside technological change, giving learners opportunities to explore ideas, undertake research, solve real-world problems and translate classroom knowledge into innovations that can transform communities. He said the emphasis on girls comes as African countries seek to expand their digital economies and build a larger pool of scientists, engineers, technology entrepreneurs and researchers.
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For Kenya, the push comes as the country continues to deepen its focus on competency development, digital learning, research and innovation as key components of education and economic transformation.
At the summit, Ogamba was joined by Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, who reinforced the need for stronger connections between universities, research institutions, industry and the wider innovation ecosystem. She said stronger university-industry partnerships could give students and researchers access to practical challenges, modern technologies, mentorship, funding and opportunities to commercialise innovations.
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The Women in STEM Africa Summit brought together education stakeholders, government officials and industry representatives to discuss strategies for expanding women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the continent.
By Hillary Muhalya
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