Nadia Sattar

A Ugandan tech entrepreneur and advocate for women's empowerment through education and technology.

Nadia Sattar is a pioneering Ugandan technologist and social entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to bridging the digital divide and empowering women in STEM fields. Born in 1972 in Kampala, Uganda, Sattar’s early exposure to technology during her studies at Makerere University ignited her passion for leveraging tech to address socio-economic challenges. In 1998, she co-founded AfricaDevTech, a company focused on developing affordable educational software for rural communities. This initiative provided access to computer literacy programs in over 200 schools across East Africa, directly impacting thousands of students.

Her advocacy extended beyond business. Sattar launched the Women in Tech Uganda initiative in 2001, which trains young women in coding and entrepreneurship. By 2010, the program had trained over 5,000 women, many of whom now lead tech startups in Uganda. Sattar’s work has been recognized globally, including a 2005 UNESCO award for innovation in education. Her book <《Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa》 details her strategies for inclusive tech development.

Today, Sattar serves as a UNICEF advisor on digital education and continues to advocate for policies supporting women’s participation in tech. Her legacy includes partnerships with organizations like ITU, ensuring marginalized communities benefit from technological advancements.