Bankable Wisdom Teams Up with Western Union Foundation for ‘Techie Impact Summit’

Mary Nnah

‘The Techie Impact Summit: Tech for Social Impact, ‘organised by Bankable Wisdom in partnership with the Western Union Foundation and powered by Watson Institute, provided an important platform to explore the role of technology in addressing pressing societal issues in Africa. The summit was aimed at driving social change by equipping young entrepreneurs and changemakers with practical tech skills to solve problems such as unemployment, gender inequality, and access to global opportunities.

In recent years, Africa and Nigeria have faced numerous challenges, including unemployment, lack of infrastructure, and social inequities. However, these challenges coexist with growing technological opportunities that could be harnessed to create significant social impact. The tech landscape in Nigeria has seen a surge of innovation aimed at addressing these problems, but there has also been an increase in challenges associated with the misuse of technology, such as cybercrime and internet fraud. Addressing these challenges while maximising tech’s potential for good was one of the central themes of the summit.

The brainchild of Precious Azuonwu, Founder and CEO of Bankable Wisdom, the Techie Impact Summit aimed to educate, inspire, and empower young people to use technology as a force for good. As a Western Union Foundation Fellow, Precious saw an opportunity to leverage his platform to not only impart valuable skills but to also advocate for using technology to solve societal challenges such as electricity shortages, education gaps, and national development goals.

The summit featured a mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, providing a well-rounded, interactive experience for the attendees. A key session on “Women in Tech and Mastering Tech Skills” was led by Temidayo Adeoye, Technical Project Lead at First City Monument Bank. Her session focused on empowering women to break barriers in the tech industry, master key digital skills, and excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. By showcasing female leaders in tech, the event highlighted the importance of gender equality in technological spaces and the growing role of women in tech leadership.

Another important session was led by Ayokanmi Oyeyemi, Programs Director at Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. Ayokanmi’s talk on the Wikipedia Ecosystem and Social Branding was highly practical, teaching attendees how to build a digital presence and leverage Wikipedia for personal and social branding. His session emphasised the power of using open-source platforms and digital storytelling to scale social impact.

One of the main highlights of the summit was the series of breakout sessions, where participants engaged in smaller, more focused discussions. The breakout rooms created an environment for attendees to exchange ideas, brainstorm solutions, and form collaborations. The presence of industry leaders such as Sochima Peters and Olufunmi Olaosun, both from YALI Network Nigeria, gave the event further visibility and credibility within the social tech space.These sessions fostered deeper engagement on topics such as tech-driven social impact, remote work opportunities, and gender equality in the tech industry. Participants reported that these discussions were a key highlight of the event, as they allowed for more personalized conversations, peer learning, and direct problem-solving.

In addition to the keynote sessions, a panel on overcoming tech hurdles led by Mr. Bruyo Emuavobor, Founder of EB&B Services was particularly impactful. The discussion focused on practical solutions for challenges such as accessing affordable power and how to turn a passion for technology into a sustainable career. The insights gained from these panels provided attendees with actionable strategies for overcoming barriers in their tech journey, whether they were entrepreneurs looking for sustainable energy solutions or individuals looking to scale their tech businesses.

The outcomes of the event were far-reaching. Attendees gained increased awareness of remote job opportunities, particularly in the gig economy, and learned how to access global opportunities for funding and support.
The summit also placed a strong emphasis on empowering women in tech, advocating for greater inclusion and diversity within the industry. The inclusion of Wikimedia Nigeria in the discussions also set the stage for future collaborations, ensuring that open knowledge platforms will continue to play a role in the social tech landscape.

An unexpected but powerful outcome of the event was the call from participants for the creation of a policy document. Many attendees, particularly those involved in the breakout sessions, felt strongly about the need to formalize their discussions into a document that could be presented to policymakers.
This document would encapsulate the key insights and strategies from the summit and serve as a guide for future government action on tech and social impact initiatives.
The participants’ desire to see real policy change demonstrates the summit’s success in fostering a sense of agency and collective action among the attendees.

The summit concluded with a sense of optimism and renewed commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good. Participants walked away with not only new skills but also a stronger sense of community and collaboration. Bankable Wisdom’s partnership with the Western Union Foundation and Wikimedia Nigeria highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in advancing tech for social good.
These partnerships amplified the event’s reach and impact, connecting changemakers with resources and networks that will support their continued work in the space of tech for good.

Looking ahead, Precious Azuonwu and the Bankable Wisdom team plan to continue their advocacy for using technology as a tool for positive change, with a specific focus on empowering underrepresented groups such as women and young people. The momentum generated by the Techie Impact Summit will be carried forward in future projects aimed at increasing access to tech education, supporting social entrepreneurship, and advocating for more inclusive tech policies in Nigeria.

The Techie Impact Summit was not just an event—it was a movement toward a future where technology is a driving force for solving societal problems and improving the quality of life in Nigeria and beyond. By equipping young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, and by fostering meaningful collaborations, the summit set the stage for a new era of tech-driven social impact in Africa.