Breaking Boundaries: African women in tech make waves at Gitex Global 2024

Dubai - Standing at the entrance of the recent 2024 Gitex Global Expo in Dubai, the largest and most renowned technology show in the world, attended by the who's who of digital leaders, innovators, investors, and corporate buyers, Zee Harduth was immediately struck by a stark reality. Quickly snapping a photograph, she posted it on social media with the caption, "Spot the women in tech if you can..."
 
"In the crowd of people, all you could see was men. That picture perfectly illustrates exactly why it's so important to promote more African women in tech on a global scale. It's time to accelerate progress in achieving gender parity and boosting local economies through global partnerships," Harduth says.
 
"African women have the talent and technical know-how, and we're ready to drive the next tech revolution – but we need to overcome barriers like access to opportunities, finance, and mentorship first."
 
Stepping up to the plate with the 5x5 initiative
 
As the co-founder of CshEO (pronounced C-SHE-O), a women-led empowerment organisation, Harduth is the mind behind the innovative 5x5 initiative. Backed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Zunaid Moti, the founder of the MotiMoves, this ambitious project aims to close the gender gap in tech, as well as the digital divide between Africa and global tech hubs.
 
The initiative's goal is simple: identify five leading women to attend major events to explore new frontiers in tech. These women will each mentor and pass on the benefits of their experiences to five other rising female stars in the field, who, in turn, will each mentor five more, and so on.
 
In this way, 5x5 initiative aims to build a unique knowledge ecosystem, and empower women with fast-tracked personal and professional growth, reaching a target of nearly 15,000 women by International Women's Day in March 2025.
 
Driving change with MotiMoves
 
With sponsorship from MotiMoves, 5x5 kickstarted phase one of its efforts by sending four South African female tech leaders, including Harduth, as "pathfinders" to attend the Gitex Global, and bring the benefit of their learnings and new connections back home.
 
Moti notes that in a continent where gender inequality remains a glaring concern, the importance of attending events like Gitex for female tech leaders cannot be overstated. As a 2024 report by Disrupt Africa reveals, between January 2022 and early June 2024, just 11.9% of the continent's tech funding went to start-ups with a female co-founder, and a dismal 4.6% to those led by a female CEO.
 
"There are many exceptional women in the field, with game-changing ideas and innovations. But without addressing the issue of access to capital and mentorship for female-led start-ups and businesses, we'll continue to stifle economic growth and create another generation of frustrated entrepreneurs instead of the next generation of African success stories," he says.
 
"The 5x5 initiative marks a critical step in the right direction, and I'm pleased to be able to help support the programme. The other good news is that global investors are increasingly recognising the potential in women-led tech companies. All these women need now is the opportunity to develop the right networks and connections, and they can fundamentally change how technology is developed and utilised in Africa.
 
"So, as a business intervention and entrepreneurship platform, this was the perfect space for MotiMoves to get involved and help open new doors."
 
Leveraging global inspiration and opportunities
 
The success of the 5x5 cohort at the 2024 Gitex proves Moti's point. In addition to Harduth, this group included Abyda Aziz, Head of Operations at Touchnet Telecoms; Feroza Khan, Business Manager at Liquid Intelligent; and Reesha Iyer from the Digital Council Africa.
 
The women were able to meet with the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), where they gained useful insights into how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supports women in tech, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and funding to attend industry events. This will guide some of their own advocacy efforts as part of the 5x5 initiative, and Harduth will soon be meeting with the SBWC's president to discuss a partnership and support for CshEO.
 
Meanwhile, Aziz was able to secure a key opportunity for Touchnet Telecoms to provide services to Middle East-based firm ZainTech Telecoms. Likewise, all four benefitted from a masterclass on brand-building with Sandhya Lalloo Morar, the South African-born and now Dubai-based designer responsible for sustainable athleisure brand The Idō Movement, where she shared valuable lessons on global entrepreneurship and staying true to one's passion.
 
"The return on investment from attending Gitex is phenomenal, thanks to the connections made, and the exposure to global tech companies and international market opportunities that Africa could leverage. We gained so much from the experience, and this impact will be carried over to phase two of the 5x5 initiative as we transfer the learnings to the new mentees that we take on this journey," adds Harduth.
 
"With thanks to Zunaid Moti and MotiMoves for supporting women and African talent in tech, I'm confident that 5x5 will be successful in gaining greater momentum, and realising a future where African women are seen as leaders in digital innovation."