Bridgette Burt

Pioneered women's tech empowerment in Africa through innovative mentorship programs

Bridgette Burt is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and social innovator who has made significant contributions to closing the gender gap in Africa's technology sector. Born in 1985 in Lagos, Nigeria, Burt's early exposure to computer programming at a time when few women pursued STEM fields set the stage for her future impact. In 2012, she co-founded TechHer, an organization dedicated to increasing female participation in technology through mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

Through TechHer's initiatives, over 5,000 women across 15 African countries have received training in coding, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. Burt pioneered the continent's first all-women hackathons, creating spaces where female developers could collaborate on solutions for local challenges like healthcare access and agricultural efficiency. Her work has been recognized by the African Union Commission, which named TechHer a key partner in their 2020 Digital Transformation Strategy.

Burt's advocacy extends beyond training programs. She developed Africa's first women-in-tech certification system, partnering with Microsoft and Google to create industry-recognized credentials. Her 2018 TEDx talk "How to Build a Tech Company in Africa" has been viewed over 2 million times, inspiring global audiences. In 2021, she launched the Africa Girls' Robotics Academy, providing free STEM education to underprivileged girls through satellite campuses in 7 countries.