Women Techmakers Addis Presents: Women Who Redefine Possible – IWD 2025

🌟 Women Techmakers Addis Presents: Women Who Redefine Possible—International Women’s Day 2025

📅 April 12, 2025

📍 DxValley 1.0, Addis Ababa Bole Rwanda, in front of Africa Insurance Building, 5th Floor

This April, Women Techmakers Addis invites you to mark International Women’s Day 2025 with a fresh perspective—one that challenges the way things have always been done.

Under this year’s global theme, “Redefine Possible,” the event brings together a powerful mix of perspectives through keynotes, conversation, and interactive sessions. Expect real stories, honest dialogue, and bold ideas that speak to the possibilities women are creating in tech and beyond.

Whether you’re just starting out or already leading in your field, this day is designed to leave you thinking bigger—and more importantly, on your own terms.

🔥 What to Expect
💬 Inspiring Talks and Keynotes

Start your day with thought-provoking insights on inclusion, opportunity, and innovation—from voices who are shifting systems and opening new paths for women in tech and leadership.

🧠 Empowering Panel Conversation

Dive into an honest and energizing discussion on breaking glass ceilings, engineering change and shaping tomorrow through courage and collaboration.

🤖 Interactive AI Workshop

Explore the power of artificial intelligence in a hands-on session designed to equip you with practical tools and ideas you can use to create impact—no advanced tech background needed.

🔥 Fireside Chat

Experience a heartfelt and dynamic conversation about storytelling, advocacy, and visibility—and how women are driving cultural and systemic change from every angle.

🤝 Networking and Celebration

We close the day with connection, reflection, and community. Expect engaging activities, giveaways, and new relationships that could shape your next chapter.

✨ Who Should Attend?

This event is exclusively for women in tech and innovation—whether you’re a developer, designer, entrepreneur, student, or visionary. If you’re building, learning, or leading in any space, this day is for you.

📌 Bring your voice. Bring your curiosity. Together, we’ll Redefine Possible.

Agenda

9:00 AM: Reception and Networking

10:00 AM: Opening Welcome Introduction

Feben Tamrat | Senior Program Manager

10:05 AM: Opening Remarks

H.E Lelise Duga, Commissioner, Oromia Tourism Commission

10:15 AM: Keynote

Ms. Lense Geleta, Vice President of Cooperatives Bank of Oromia

10:30 AM: Keynote

Mekdim Gullila, Country Manager, Reach for Change

10:45 AM: Keynote

Samuel Fekade, National Coordinator at United Nations International Trade Center

11:00 AM: Technical Talk | When AI Becomes Our 24/7 Communication Copilot

Dr. Rosa Tsegaye, Natural Language Processing Division Director
Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute

11:20 AM: Panel Discussion: How Women Are Redefining What's Possible

Moderator: Nebiyou Yirga
Panelists: Dr. Bethel Dereje, Mekdes Mintesnot

12:20 PM: Lunch 🍕

1:30 PM: Hackathon Demo Presentations

2:30 PM: Fireside Chat: Building Inclusive Tech Infrastructure for Africa Next Chapter

Moderator: Bezawit Kassaye
Panelists: Biruk Yosef Zenebe, Melaku Beshah

3:15 PM: Award Ceremony

3:35 PM: Closing Remarks

Geleta Abate, Director, Innovation Hub, Cooperative Bank of Oromia

3:45 PM: Networking & Group Photo | Refreshment

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Speakers

H.E Lelise Duga - Oromia Tourism Commission (Commissioner)

Ms. Lense Geleta - Cooperatives Bank of Oromia (Vice President)

Mekdim Gullilat - Reach for Change Ethiopia (Country Manager)

Samuel Fekade - United Nations International Trade Center (National Coordinator)

Samuel currently serves as the National Coordinator for the United Nations International Trade Centre on a project that focuses on accelerating the growth and competitiveness of the digital technology sector. Prior to this role, he was the Project Manager at blueMoon Ethiopia, a leading social enterprise and startup incubator known for its focus on youth and social entrepreneurship.
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Dr. Rosa Tsegaye - Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (Natural Language Processing Division Director)

Panelists

Dr. Bethel Dereje - WeCare (MD, Gynecologic Oncologist, founder and CEO)

Mekdes Mintesnot - TriTel Technologies (CEO and Co Founder)

Biruk Yosef Zenebe - AGGP Ethiopia (Country Director)

Melaku Beshah - Excellerent Technology Solutions (Country Director)

Moderators

Nebiyou Yirga - Ethiopian Association of Startup Ecosystem (EASE) (General Manager)

Bezawit Kassaye - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (Project Manager)

Host

Feben Tamrat

Judges

Kidus Yared - Chapa (Operation Manager)

Askale Mosisa - Director IT Audit (Cooperative Bank of Oromia)

Biniyam Daniel - Addis AI (Founder)

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Partners

Cooperative Bank of Oromia (https://coopbankoromia.com.et/)

Reach for Change (https://ethiopia.reachforchange.org/)

United Nations International Trade Center (https://www.intracen.org/)

Embassy of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/contact/embassies-consulates-general/ethiopia/embassy-addis-ababa)

Hasab AI (https://www.hasab.ai/)

Qemer (https://www.linkedin.com/company/qemer-design/about/)

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-addis-presents-women-techmakers-addis-presents-women-who-redefine-possible-iwd-2025/.