Asmaa Gafar

A Sudanese tech entrepreneur advocating for women's inclusion in STEM fields, establishing initiatives that bridge gender gaps in technology access and education.

Asmaa Gafar is a visionary Sudanese technologist and social entrepreneur who has made significant strides in promoting gender equality in the technology sector. Born in Khartoum in 1992, Gafar co-founded Sudanese Women in Tech (SWiT) in 2020, an organization dedicated to empowering Sudanese women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through SWiT, Gafar organizes coding bootcamps, mentorship programs, and partnerships with global tech companies to provide women with practical skills and networking opportunities. Her work gained international recognition after the 2021 Sudanese Revolution, as she leveraged technology to create digital platforms for women activists to share resources and amplify their voices during the political transition.

Gafar’s initiatives have directly impacted over 5,000 women across Sudan, with 30% securing roles in tech firms or launching their own startups. In 2023, she partnered with UNESCO to launch the Sudan Women in Tech Accelerator, a program that funds female-led tech projects addressing local challenges like agricultural efficiency and healthcare accessibility. Gafar’s advocacy also extends to policy: she co-authored a 2024 report urging Sudan’s transitional government to integrate gender quotas in national STEM education policies, which influenced the Ministry of Education’s 2025 curriculum reforms.

Beyond Sudan, Gafar’s influence spans the African continent. She served as a keynote speaker at the 2022 Africa Tech Summit, where she emphasized the economic potential of closing Africa’s gender digital divide. Her TED Talk, “How Sudanese Women Are Redesigning Tech,” has been viewed over 2 million times, inspiring similar movements in Mali and Senegal. Gafar’s work exemplifies how grassroots leadership and technology can transform societal structures, making her a pivotal figure in Africa’s emerging digital equity movement.