Emilie Uwimana

A Rwandan social entrepreneur and advocate for women in technology who founded Tech Needs Girls to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields

Emilie Uwimana is a visionary social entrepreneur from Rwanda who has made significant contributions to advancing women's participation in technology and education. Born in 1988, she grew up witnessing the devastating effects of the 1994 genocide, which profoundly shaped her commitment to social justice and empowerment. After completing her studies in computer science, she identified the stark gender disparity in Rwanda's tech sector and founded Tech Needs Girls in 2010. This initiative provides coding workshops, mentorship programs, and scholarships to young women across Africa, empowering them to pursue careers in technology. Through her work, Uwimana has trained over 5,000 girls and partnered with organizations like Google and UNESCO. Her efforts have not only increased female representation in tech but also fostered economic independence for countless women. In 2018, she launched the Tech Needs Girls Ambassadors Program, expanding her impact to 15 African countries. Uwimana's contributions were recognized by Forbes Africa in 2020 as one of the continent's top 30 under 30 innovators.