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Innovator Trust Women in Tech Awards 2025: A Decade of Powering Progress
20 November 2025 All day
A Decade of Powering Progress: Celebrating Women-Led Innovation in Tech
The Innovator Trust Women in Tech Awards (WIT) 2025 marks a major milestone in the advancement of South African women in the ICT sector. Celebrating ten years of championing women-led innovation, the event returns on 20 November 2025 at Vodacom World, Midrand, bringing together visionaries, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders under one roof for a powerful day of reflection, recognition, and forward-thinking.
Launched by Vodacom over a decade ago, the Innovator Trust has been a key driver in developing black-owned ICT SMMEs, with the Women in Tech Awards standing as one of its most impactful platforms. The event honours female-owned SMMEs who continue to redefine innovation, lead with intent, and inspire across sectors.
“Women-led innovation is essential for long-term social and economic progress,” .
says Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust
The 2025 edition will spotlight this legacy while creating space for new voices and perspectives. Attendees can look forward to:
- Insightful keynote presentations
- Thought-provoking panel and plenary discussions
- Exhibitions by emerging innovators
- High-impact networking sessions
These elements ensure that the WIT Awards remain not just a ceremony, but a catalyst for inclusive transformation in the tech ecosystem.
Why It Matters
As highlighted by McKinsey & Co (2020) and Boston Consulting Group, companies with gender-diverse leadership are more profitable and efficient. Startups founded or co-founded by women deliver twice the revenue per dollar invested. These statistics reinforce what WIT has demonstrated for a decade: investing in women delivers results.
A Legacy of Leadership
The event has become synonymous with trailblazing thought leadership, having hosted icons such as:
- Prof. Thuli Madonsela – Former Public Protector of South Africa
- Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka – Former UN Women Executive Director
- Takalani Netshitenzhe – Vodacom SA Director & Vodacom Foundation Chairperson
- Lillian Barnard – Microsoft MEA Chief of Enterprise Partners
- Irene Charnley – Former CEO of Smile Telecoms
Such representation has elevated the WIT platform to national relevance and global resonance, cementing its position as a leader in the conversation around gender, tech, and economic growth.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Women in Tech Awards not only celebrates ten years of impact—from mentorship and guidance to real financial investment—it also renews the call for environments where women drive innovation and occupy the spaces that shape the future.
Stay tuned for the full speaker line-up and programme agenda, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Follow the Innovator Trust:
- Instagram: @innovatortrust
- Facebook: @innovatortrust
- Twitter (X): @innovatortrust
- YouTube: Innovator Trust
- Website: www.innovatortrust.co.za
#WIT2025 | #InnovatorTrust | #WomenInTech | #PoweringProgress | #FemaleFounders | #TechInnovationSA
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