The African Union Commission Women, Gender and Youth Directorate through the AU Innovation Lab (AU InnoLab) in collaboration with AU-CIEFFA, GIZ African Union, UNITAR, UN Women and with the support of the World Bank, is proud to announce the selection of the top 20 young innovators for the "AU Go Gal!" Innovation Initiative. These young African women, aged 20-25, were chosen from over 400 submissions to participate in the 9-month program.

The “AU Go Gal!” Innovation initiative is a groundbreaking program designed to empower young African women innovators to develop scalable and sustainable solutions. These solutions are, particularly, focused on advancing Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI), improving access, retention and completion of girls in education systems, and enhancing young women’s participation in economic decision-making processes. By fostering digital and other innovative solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges across the continent, the initiative aligns with aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 and the goals of 1 Million Next Level Initiative.

Based on the latest data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2024 World Intellectual Property Indicators report, in 2023, women accounted for 17.7% of all inventors listed in international patent applications. Therefore, the initiative aims to address this underrepresentation of women in innovation and will involve a blend of design thinking, capacity building and pitching sessions. Each of the 20 selected participants will be assigned an accomplished woman in innovation as a mentor to provide guidance throughout their innovation journey. A pitching session will select the top ten (10) solutions, with a final pitching session at the end of the initiative to identify the top five (5) solutions, which will receive dedicated support and recognition.

With representatives from each of the five geographic regions of the African Union, the following top 20 innovators have been selected to participate in the initiative:

Central Africa

• Lengue Sandra from Cameroon, 23 years old (Women and Youth Financial Inclusion)

• Hassanie OUMAR kabo from Chad, 22 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Housna OUMAR Kabo from Chad, 22 years old (Girls and Women Education)
• Iyokwizera Ange B. from Burundi, 20 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Moira Bankité Ndoki from Cameroon, 24 years old (Girls and Women Education)

East Africa

• Bagenda Praise from Tanzania, 24 years old (Girls and Women Education)
• Bezawit LIRO from Ethiopia, 22 years old (Women and Youth Financial Inclusion)
• Chali Jalene from Ethiopia, 23 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Kamotho Linet from Kenya, 20 years old (Girls and Women Education)
• Kimathi Norah from Kenya, 22 years old (Girls and Women Education)
• Ninsiima Annah from Uganda, 24 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Nyamunga Susan from Kenya, 24 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Rabearimanana Dihariniaina from Madagascar, 23 years old (Girls and Women Education)

North Africa

• Basly Asma from Tunisia, 25 years old (Girls and Women Education)

Southern Africa

• Masingati glory from Malawi, 21 years old (Economic Inclusion and Decision)
• Retiana Phiri from Zambia, 22 years old (Girls and Women Education)

• Rumbidzai Gijima from Zimbabwe, 25 years old (Women and Youth Financial Inclusion)

West Africa

• Akhaumere Emerald from Nigeria, 22 years old (Girls and Women Education)

• Fatimah Zannah Mustapha from Nigeria, 24 years old (Girls and Women Education)

• Kankemwa Gombwalk Dora from Nigeria, 25 years old (Girls and Women Education)

The "AU Go Gal!" Innovation Initiative represents a crucial step towards fostering an ecosystem where creativity, inclusivity and entrepreneurship can flourish, driving sustainable development that benefits all corners of the continent.

More information on the initiative can be found at https://citizenengagement.nepad.org/engagement/au-go-gal-innovation-initiative

For further information, please contact: 

Mr. Mohamed Kimbugwe | Digital Governance and Innovation Advisor, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: Kimbugwem@AfricaUnion.org

Mr. Natan Addisu Tafese | Innovation Associate, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: NatanA@AfricaUnion.org

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Ms. Adele Onguene Atangana | Communications Associate, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: AtanganaA@AfricanUnion.org