Women are building businesses, creating employment and solving problems that shape how people and organisations connect, operate and grow, according to the Innovator Trust.
The Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) Awards recognise this contribution. With a focus on women-led ICT SMEs, WIT has grown into one of South Africa’s women-in-tech platforms. [Flag: “one of South Africa’s leading” was cut as unverifiable/promotional — consider replacing with a specific claim, e.g. years running, number of entrants, if available.] On Tuesday, 24 November 2026, WIT returns with free virtual registration, and women from across South Africa are invited to take part in WIT 2026.
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The 2026 WIT Awards will recognise the accomplishments of growing female-owned SMEs in South Africa’s ICT sector. These women have participated in the Innovator Trust’s Start-up Enterprise Development, Youth Entrepreneurship and Supplier Development incubation programmes. Through these programmes, they have strengthened their ability to digitise, monetise and scale their businesses.
The awards are supported by a speaker programme addressing the opportunities and challenges facing women in business and technology. Previous speakers include former Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela, former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, business leader Irene Charnley, Dr Roze Phillips (African futurist, business strategy advisor and founder, Abundance at Work), Tsatsi Mthimunye (managing executive – central region, Vodacom) and Charmaine Houvet (senior director, Africa, Cisco).
WIT recognises women already active in the sector alongside its emerging entrants. The Innovator Trust says annual recognition keeps attention on progress and on the barriers that continue to affect women’s access to opportunity.
“WIT celebrates evidence and action. We see it in growing businesses, new jobs and technology that solves very real problems in our country. Through this year’s theme, Tech Believers, WIT and its partners recognise the women who have backed their ideas with action and call on the market to back proven ability with real opportunity,” says Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust.
Jooste says visibility also carries commercial weight. It can influence whose name is remembered when contracts become available, whose business is considered ready to scale and whose expertise is invited into the room. An award cannot replace access to capital, procurement opportunities or long-term business support, but Jooste says it can strengthen the credibility that helps women-owned businesses reach those opportunities.
The 2026 theme, Tech Believers, extends that idea. Women founders back their ideas before the market validates them, investing time, taking risks and building capability. The Innovator Trust says the wider ecosystem should show the same conviction through contracts, capital, mentorship, partnerships and market access.
WIT says it will continue recognising women in technology annually, citing their contribution to job creation and South Africa’s digital economy.
