In celebration of International Women’s Day, TeKnowledge convened senior industry leaders for an Executive Women in Leadership Brunch in Lagos, bringing together influential voices across technology, finance and human capital to discuss the theme ‘Leadership with Confidence – Women Powering Africa’s Digital Leap.’

The event was hosted by Stephanie Imohede, Africa Skilling Leader at TeKnowledge, who anchored discussions with accomplished women leaders, including Olatomiwa Williams, Chief Growth & AI Officer for MEA at Microsoft; Ifeoluwa Ayoade, Vice President, Product & Engineering at Zest Payments Ltd; and Oluwatomisin Mordi, Country HR Manager at TeKnowledge Nigeria. The session was moderated by Aileen Allkins, President and CEO of TeKnowledge.

The gathering formed part of TeKnowledge’s ongoing efforts to foster leadership dialogue and advance inclusive participation in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Opening the conversation, Allkins emphasized the importance of intentional leadership development and the role organisations must play in nurturing diverse talent pipelines.
“Diversity in leadership does not happen by accident,” she noted.

“It requires deliberate investment in people, mentorship and opportunity. When organisations create environments where women can grow and lead, the impact extends far beyond the workplace.”

Throughout the discussion, speakers reflected on the realities of leading through rapid technological transformation, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Panelists highlighted the importance of adaptability, continuous learning and collaborative leadership as organisations navigate complex change.

Williams underscored that leadership today requires a willingness to embrace uncertainty while bringing teams along through transparent communication and shared purpose.

“Leadership in times of change is about helping people understand where the organisation is heading and why their role matters in that journey,” she said. “When teams feel included in the vision, they become champions of transformation rather than resistors of it.”

The conversation also explored the role experienced leaders must play in supporting the next generation of women professionals entering the workforce.

Panelists encouraged attendees to actively mentor and create pathways for emerging talent.

Delivering a keynote reflection during the event, Nefi Wole Abu (PhD), Co-Founder of Lane Consulting highlighted that leadership influence goes beyond positional authority and must be grounded in credibility, purpose and consistency.

“Leadership is not simply about the title you hold,” she said. “It is about the influence you build, the relationships you invest in and the clarity of purpose that guides your decisions.”

The session concluded with a call for continued collaboration across sectors to ensure that women remain at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation journey.

By convening industry leaders and fostering candid conversations around leadership, innovation and inclusion, TeKnowledge continues to support the development of talent and ideas that will shape the future of Africa’s technology ecosystem.