Accelerating Action: Nimie Chaylone and ALX Lead the Charge at the Women in Tech Global Summit

On 12th of March 2025, Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Kenya, became a hub of inspiration and action as it hosted a powerful event celebrating International Women's Day 2025. 

The theme, "#AccelerateAction: Innovate for Impact: Creating a Sustainable Future Through Tech," set the stage for discussions focused on empowering women in STEM and driving progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Among the day's highlights was Panel 3, "Advancing Women in STEM: Education, Advocacy, and Policy," where Nimie Chaylone, General Manager at ALX Kigali and Nairobi, delivered particularly insightful remarks.

The panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Winnie Rachael (Country Manager Unicaf), Kanyi Mwangi (Communication Director - Mastercard), and Sandrine Tshiamala (CEO of Kolesha), with Mosa Mkhize (Policy Advisor for Collington PLC) moderating. The discussions spanned personal journeys, challenges, mentorship, advocacy, and the future of women in STEM. However, it was Nimie Chaylone's response to a critical question that truly resonated with the day's theme of accelerating action.

Nimie shared a personal anecdote about being discouraged from pursuing an engineering degree because it was considered a "men's field." This tied into broader data revealing that, while girls are interested in tech at age 11, many are discouraged from pursuing that interest by 15. When asked how to ensure girls stay encouraged, Nimie's response was both practical and inspiring, focusing on what ALX does to empower women in tech.

"Demystify Tech," Nimie emphasized. "Tech shouldn't be seen as just for geeks or as difficult as electrical engineering. It's not just coding—it can be data science, data analytics, UI/UX, etc." She urged for an "Expansion of the Menu," suggesting that more options should be presented to girls so they can choose what resonates with them, rather than being boxed into traditional "hard" tech fields. Additionally, she advocated for "Redefining learning," making tech courses beginner-friendly and accessible.

Nimie further shared ALX's "secret sauce" for creating not just techies, but tech leaders. ALX offers a 3-month Professional Foundations programme that builds soft skills and provides a tech learning menu where learners pick their specialisation track based on their strengths and interests. This approach ensures that all learners are well-rounded, confident, and prepared to lead in the tech industry.

Nimie Chaylone, a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and strategist, is deeply committed to driving digital transformation in Africa. With an engineering background and an MBA from ALUSB, she blends technical expertise with strategic leadership. Her insights at the event underscored ALX's dedication to empowering Africa's next generation of tech talent and fostering sustainable economies where women can innovate, lead, and thrive.

ALX's participation in this event further highlights its strong partnership with Women in Tech® Global, a leading organization dedicated to empowering women in STEM. This collaboration reinforces ALX's commitment to supporting initiatives that advance gender equity and create opportunities for women in the tech industry. By actively engaging with organizations like Women in Tech®, ALX amplifies its impact and contributes to a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem.

This International Women's Day celebration successfully embodied the #AccelerateAction theme, providing a platform for powerful discussions and practical steps to support and advance women in STEM. Nimie Chaylone's contributions, particularly her focus on demystifying tech and redefining learning, served as a call to action for individuals and organizations to actively support and empower women in the field, driving innovation and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

Check out some more photos from the event!