Bridgitte Avokpaho

A Nigerian tech entrepreneur empowering girls through STEM education

Bridgitte Avokpaho is a visionary Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Tech Needs Girls, an organization dedicated to empowering African girls through technology education since 2010. Born in Benin City, her work addresses the gender gap in STEM fields by providing coding workshops, mentorship programs, and access to tech resources in underserved communities. Through her initiatives, over 15,000 girls have gained digital literacy skills, with many progressing to tech careers in Africa and beyond.

Avokpaho's approach combines grassroots outreach with corporate partnerships, securing sponsorships from companies like Microsoft and Google. Her UN Women recognized program has expanded across 12 African countries, creating a ripple effect in tech innovation. She also pioneered the first all-girls hackathon in West Africa in 2015, which inspired similar events globally. Her TEDx talk "Why Tech Needs Girls" has over 500k views, emphasizing the economic and social impact of gender-balanced tech ecosystems.