From December 2 to 13, the USTTI and NTIA conducted a training program titled “Women Digital Leaders of Africa” for 21 women from Benin, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

The two-week training took place in San Diego, Silicon Valley, New York, and Washington, DC. It focused on emerging technologies and their applications, while also providing strategies to enhance the leadership skills of each participant. Through a combination of lectures, roundtable discussions, and hands-on experiments led by experts from the White House, the Department of Commerce, Qualcomm, Intel, SPX/TCI, Apple, the ITU, Nokia, Amazon, ICANN, and AST SpaceMobile, the participants gained valuable knowledge and improved their ability to make an impact in their respective roles.

Subject matter experts from Qualcomm shared the latest technical information about 5G, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence. Pictured with the group is Alex Rogers (center), President of Qualcomm Technology Licensing and Global Affairs. Nate Tibbits represents Qualcomm on the USTTI Board of Directors.

Intel provided the African Women Leaders with training on AI at the edge, virtualization, the standards process, AI-driven security assurance, and developments in Wi-Fi. Jayne Stancavage represents Intel on the USTTI Board of Directors.

The USTTI scholars visited Apple Park for training and a discussion on accessibility. Carolyn Wu represents Apple on the USTTI Board of Directors.

TCI introduced spectrum management and monitoring. Led by Ann Bustamante (far right), the training equipped the African Women Leaders with knowledge about the vital role of spectrum in the digital ecosystem. Eric Kaled represents TCI on the USTTI Board of Directors.

The USTTI African Women Leaders participated in hands-on training and demonstrations of the latest technology at Nokia Bell Labs. Julia Jasinska represents Nokia on the USTTI Board of Directors.

The USTTI African Women Leaders from Benin, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe pause for a photo outside the West Wing Entrance to the White House.