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Entrepreneurship Exchange Series: Session 2

Fostering Female Leadership in the Tech Industry.

Female leadership and entrepreneurship in the technology industry remains low, particularly among young girls and women from traditionally excluded and marginalized communities. Improved access to technological tools can increase young women’s ability to run enterprises, contribute to ending violence against young women, and lead to their greater agency and economic empowerment.

Join Restless Development and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) to discover how young female entrepreneurs drive innovation and economic growth through their tech-based ventures and the barriers they face. This session will unite young people and private sector and government stakeholders to explore solutions that increase access to tech-based entrepreneurship for young women and girls.

Join us on August 29 at 3 PM CAT / 9 AM EST / 2 PM London Time.

The objective of the session:

  • Discuss the current landscape, barriers, and enablers of young girls’ and women’s participation in tech-based entrepreneurship.
  • Provide a platform for young female entrepreneurs to share their tech innovations, lessons learned, and how they can be replicated or scaled up in other contexts.
  • Explore the role of public-private cooperation in supporting women and girls to access and run tech enterprises.

The objective of the series:

  • Strengthen the enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship as a means to strengthen democracy globally. Insights from each session in this series will be captured, analysed, and a summary brief will be developed. This will inform a video spotlight report and a policy paper with recommendations on how the private sector and governments can better support youth entrepreneurship.

Moderator of the session:

Caleb Masusu

Caleb J. Masusu is the Global Voice & Democracy Manager at Restless Development, leading projects that empower young people for sustainable, democratic futures. With extensive experience in advocacy, policy influencing, and managing global projects, Caleb spearheads digital health rights campaigns and coordinates global youth networks like Democracy Moves. His expertise in digital rights makes him a key voice in discussions on youth’s digital pathways for sustainable development. Caleb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies and a Master of Public Health & Policy.

Speaker of the session:

Youth Speaker:  Kadian Davis-Owusu

Kadian holds a background in Computer Science, with a PhD and postdoctoral studies in Design for Social Interaction and Design for Health. She has taught interaction design at the University of the West Indies, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) in Jamaica, and Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands. Kadian is also the Founder and Lead UX Designer for TeachSomebody and hosts the ExpertsConnect video podcast, bridging learning gaps and fostering expert collaboration. Additionally, she lectures on ICT-related courses at Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

Private Sector Speaker: Frei Sangil

Frei Sangil is a data scientist specializing in cryptography and cyber forensics. She co-founded the research and development company Layertech Software Labs, Inc. in 2017, and remains as its President. Frei is a staunch advocate for inclusive digital transformation. She has led a number of research and design and inclusive tech deployment projects with both local and international partners, many of which received recognition locally and globally.

Breakout Room Moderators:

Daniel Orogo – YC Regional Coordinator  

Daniel Orogo is the Africa Regional Coordinator for Democracy Moves, a leading advocate for political inclusion and governance. In Kenya, he leads Civic Voices, a civic tech organisation promoting digital public participation. He also serves as Youth Coordinator for the 2022 “Africa, My Home, My Future” campaign under the All Africa Conference of Churches, inspiring unity among African youth. Since founding the Langata Youth Network in 2012 in Kibera, Daniel has championed community development and democratic governance across Africa.

Namakoto Imasiku

Namakoto Imasiku is a development worker, international speaker, businesswoman, tutor, and life and leadership coach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies and a Certification in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol, and Public Relations. As an alumna of the Young Women Lead and Leaders Arise programs by the US Embassy, Namakoto is a dynamic voice and young leader dedicated to transforming the minds of young people through personal development and leadership coaching. Her passion for sharing knowledge drives her to inspire and empower the next generation, fostering growth and leadership skills among young people worldwide.

Musonda Mulenga

Musonda is an international development specialist with over 7 years in program management focused on Volunteering for Development (VfD) and Sport for Development (SfD) in Southern Africa. As a Senior Programme Coordinator for Restless Development,  Musonda provides technical support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and advocates for SRHR policy reforms. Skilled in youth engagement, governance, and gender equality, Musonda leverages partnerships and innovative approaches to drive positive change in the development sector.