Bridgitte Avia

Nigerian tech entrepreneur who pioneered women's inclusion in STEM through digital literacy initiatives

Bridgitte Avia is a visionary Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of TechHive Nigeria, an organization dedicated to bridging the gender gap in technology. Since 2020, she has trained over 15,000 women and girls in digital skills through her innovative 'Code for Change' program. Her work has been featured in Forbes Africa and recognized by the UN Women's Empowerment Principles initiative.

Avia's 2022 TEDx talk 'Coding the Future of African Women' went viral with 2.3 million views. In 2023, she launched Africa's first all-female blockchain development lab, creating 300+ jobs in decentralized finance. Her partnership with Google's Grow with Google initiative expanded digital literacy programs to 12 African countries.

Key innovations include the TechHive Mentorship Platform connecting 5,000+ African women with global tech leaders, and the Digital Girls' Academy providing free coding education in rural communities. Recent projects include a UNICEF collaboration to develop AI tools for education in refugee camps. Avia's impact extends to policy advocacy, including Nigeria's 2024 Digital Inclusion Act which mandates 30% female representation in tech training programs.