Women in STEM Conference 2026 | Zambia National STEM Foundation
Zambia National STEM Foundation — Annual Conference

Women
Shaping
Tomorrow

2026

Zambia’s premier gathering celebrating, inspiring, and accelerating women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Join us for three transformative days of recognition, mentorship, and connection.

Date
August 14–16, 2026
Location
Lusaka, Zambia
Register to Attend Become a Partner
4th Edition · 2026
Women in STEM conference presenter
Conference delegates networking
Workshop session
500+
Expected
Delegates
4th
Annual Edition
2022
Est. Since
30+
Speakers & Panelists
Int’l
Edition
Our Mission

Breaking Barriers.
Building Futures.

The Women in STEM Conference is the flagship initiative of the Zambia National STEM Foundation — a powerful annual gathering that puts Zambia’s women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the spotlight they deserve.

Since 2022, we have brought together researchers, engineers, technologists, students, and policymakers to create a shared vision of a more inclusive and innovative Zambia.

Join the Movement
🏆

Recognise & Celebrate

Award ceremonies honouring outstanding women making breakthroughs across STEM disciplines in Zambia.

🎓

Inspire & Mentor

Workshops, talks, and mentorship sessions connecting established professionals with aspiring young women.

🤝

Connect & Network

Build lasting relationships across industry, academia, government, and civil society.

🚀

Advocate & Influence

Drive policy conversations and systemic change to expand women’s participation in STEM.

Conference speaker WiSTEM 2022
Delegates networking Networking
Workshop session Workshops
Panel discussion Panel Discussions
Awards ceremony Awards Gala
Breakout session WiSTEM & AI 2025
Young women in STEM Girls Day
Innovation showcase Innovation Showcase
Conference speaker WiSTEM 2022
Delegates networking Networking
Workshop session Workshops
Panel discussion Panel Discussions
Awards ceremony Awards Gala
Breakout session WiSTEM & AI 2025
Young women in STEM Girls Day
Innovation showcase Innovation Showcase
Featured Voices

Visionary Speakers
& Honourees

Dr. Chanda Mwale
Dr. Chanda Mwale
Biomedical Research
University of Zambia
Keynote
Eng. Natasha Zimba
Eng. Natasha Zimba
Software Engineering
Tech Industry Leader
Panel
Prof. Mwansa Phiri
Prof. Mwansa Phiri
Mathematics Education
Copperbelt University
Keynote
Ms. Bwalya Banda
Ms. Bwalya Banda
Environmental Engineering
Climate Action Zambia
Award Honouree

★ Full speaker lineup and award nominees announced June 2026  ·  Nominations now open

3 Days. Transformative.

Conference Agenda

Day 1 — Aug 14  |  Inspire
08:00

Registration & Welcome Breakfast

Networking and orientation for all delegates

09:30

Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address

Setting the vision for women in STEM in Zambia

Keynote
11:30

Panel: Pathways into STEM

Real stories from women at every stage of their careers

Panel
14:00

Workshop: Coding for Beginners

Hands-on introduction for girls and young women

Workshop
16:30

Mentorship Speed Networking

1-on-1 sessions with STEM professionals

Networking
Day 2 — Aug 15  |  Innovate
09:00

Keynote: The Future of STEM in Africa

Macro perspectives and opportunities for Zambia

Keynote
10:30

STEM Showcase & Research Presentations

Women sharing their projects, inventions & research

13:30

Panel: Policy & Gender Equity in STEM

Policymakers, educators & advocates in conversation

Panel
15:30

School Girls STEM Challenge

National competition showcase — live presentations

Competition
18:30

Annual Women in STEM Awards Gala

Recognising excellence and celebrating achievement

Awards
Secure Your Place

Join 500+ Women Changing the Story

Whether you’re a seasoned STEM professional, an eager student, or a passionate ally — there’s a place for you at Zambia’s most important conversation about women in science and technology.

Student Delegate
Full 3-day access — secondary & university students
Free / sponsored
Professional Delegate
Full access + networking dinner + awards gala
K 850 / person
Corporate Table
10 seats + branding at awards gala
K 7,500 / table
Reserve Your Spot
Takes less than 2 minutes · Confirmation sent immediately

🔒 Your information is kept private. No spam — ever.

🎉

You’re Registered!

Thank you! A confirmation has been sent to your email.
We can’t wait to see you in Lusaka, August 2026.

Our Track Record

Measuring Our Impact

Conference delegates in discussion

Three Years of
Real Change

From a bold first gathering in 2022 to an international platform in 2025 — the WiSTEM conference is Zambia’s most important conversation about women in science and technology.

3
Successful Editions (2022–2025)
From the inaugural “SHE CAN” conference to the 3rd International WiSTEM & AI edition — each year bigger, bolder, and more impactful than the last.
5+
Major Institutional Partners
UNDP, UNESCO, the Ministry of Technology & Science, Zambia Academy of Sciences, and First National Bank have all backed the conference across its editions.
100+
Stakeholders at 2025 Edition
The 3rd edition at Taj Pamodzi Hotel drew over 100 cross-sector stakeholders — from government officials and international development partners to innovators and students.
“Over the past two days, we haven’t just held conversations — we’ve sparked commitments, strengthened networks, and lit new fires of possibility in every young woman present here today.”
Mr. Michelo Moonga Executive Director, ZNSF
Closing Remarks · WiSTEM & AI 2025
Women at conference
WiSTEM 2025 · Taj Pamodzi Hotel
STEM isn’t just wires, codes, or numbers — it’s the heartbeat of creativity and the language of the future. And women? We’ve got the voice, the grit, and the brilliance to speak it fluently.
— Eng. Ndanji Nachangwa, Aeronautical Engineer & Head of Innovation, Robotix Institute
Our Story So Far

Three Editions.
One Growing Legacy.

2022 · “SHE CAN”
2023 · 2nd Edition
2025 · STEM & AI
2022
✦ Inaugural Edition · “SHE CAN”

She Can Inspire,
Innovate, Lead & Achieve

The inaugural Women in STEM Conference was held on 8–9 September 2022 at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka. Under the theme “SHE CAN”, the conference declared that women can Inspire, Innovate, Create, Lead and Achieve — anything. The event brought together government, international development partners, corporate Zambia, innovators, students, and STEM professionals for the first time under one shared platform.

133+
Registered Guests
7
Partners & Sponsors
8+
Speakers & Presenters
2
Days of Programming

“Together we must ensure women and girls participation stands is not an exception but becomes a norm of the life of work.”

— Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education · Guest of Honour, WiSTEM 2022
Conference Highlights
🏛️
High-Level Government Representation

The Hon. Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima served as Guest of Honour, alongside the Ministry of Science & Technology Director Madam Jane Chinkusu and UNDP Resident Representative Lionel Lawrence — a landmark show of government commitment to the STEM gender agenda.

🔬
Mentorship & The Engineering Gap

Eng. Ennie Muchelemba, Chairperson of Zambia Women in Engineering (ZWES/EIZ), revealed a striking stat: women make up only 21% of Zambia’s 40,000 registered engineers. Her session on mentorship became one of the most referenced moments of the conference.

💡
“Tell Your Story” — Young Innovators Take the Stage

Four young women shared their innovation journeys: Godfridah Masaiti (developing an ARV transdermal patch, FEMBIOBIZ Season 2 winner), Retiana Tiyamike Phiri (inventor of the Period Comforter), Eng. Marble Musabi (first distinction graduate in Civil Engineering at CBU), and Jane Nakasamu, CEO of Greenbelt Energy — 2022 Total Energy Startup of the Year.

🤝
Key Sponsors & Partners

UNDP (K100,000), First National Bank (K75,000), National Science & Technology Council (K60,000), ZANACO, Aflife, PWC Zambia, and the Engineering Institution of Zambia all partnered to make the inaugural edition possible.

2022 speaker
2022 delegates
2022 workshop
2023
✦ 2nd Annual Edition

Building on
the Foundation

The 2nd Annual Women in STEM Conference continued the momentum established by the inaugural edition, deepening its reach across sectors and provinces. The conference expanded its programming, brought in new voices from across Zambia’s STEM ecosystem, and continued its core mission of celebrating, inspiring, and connecting women in science and technology.

2nd
Annual Edition
ZNSF
Hosted by
Lusaka
Zambia
2023
Year

“Zambia needs to take a strong position on the issue of underrepresentation of women in STEM as a matter of absolute priority.”

— Dr. Auxilia Bupe Ponga, ZNSF Board Chairperson
About This Edition
📈
Growing the Movement

The second edition built on the strong foundation of 2022, expanding partnerships and introducing new programming formats to deepen engagement between STEM professionals, educators, policymakers, and young women across Zambia.

🌍
Sustained Institutional Partnerships

UNDP, the Ministry of Science & Technology, and key corporate sponsors continued their support, reinforcing the conference’s status as Zambia’s most credible women-in-STEM platform.

🎓
Mentorship & Youth Focus

Programming continued to prioritise the pipeline — connecting established STEM professionals with university and secondary school students through structured mentorship sessions and inspiration panels.

📋
Full Report Coming

The detailed 2023 conference report is available from the Zambia National STEM Foundation. Contact ZNSF for the full proceedings, partner list, and outcomes documentation.

2025
✦ 3rd Annual International Edition

STEM & AI:
Bridging the Gap

The 3rd Annual International Women in STEM and AI Conference was held at the prestigious Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka — a major upgrade that signalled the conference’s growing stature. Organised with UNDP, UNESCO, the Ministry of Technology & Science, Migodi Auric, and the Zambia Academy of Sciences, the 2025 edition placed Artificial Intelligence at the centre of the conversation for the first time, exploring how inclusive innovation can drive Zambia’s national development.

100+
Stakeholders Present
5
Co-organising Partners
2
Days of Programming
Int’l
Edition

“We don’t just need a seat at the table — we need more women leading the conversation.”

— Inonge Kapya, UNZA Student Leader · WiSTEM & AI 2025 Panelist
Conference Highlights
🤖
AI as the New Frontier

For the first time, Artificial Intelligence took centre stage. Panel discussions explored AI’s real-world applications in agriculture, finance, healthcare, and education — and critically, how women must be not just users but designers and shapers of AI systems in Zambia.

🏆
Power Keynotes — Prof. Nkandu Luo & Dr. Rita Sianga

Prof. Nkandu Luo delivered a standing-ovation keynote on women’s versatility as architects of transformation in STEM and AI. Dr. Rita Sianga challenged institutions to elevate women from contributors to decision-makers in tech policy. Both left the room buzzing with renewed purpose.

🌱
Launch: ZNSF Rural Girls STEM & AI Fund

One of the most significant milestones of the 2025 conference was the formal launch of the ZNSF Rural Girls STEM & AI Fund — a dedicated resource to ensure girls in underserved and rural communities are not left behind in Zambia’s digital transformation.

📜
ZNSF–Zambia Academy of Sciences MoU Signed

A landmark Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ZNSF and the Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS), formalising collaboration on mentorship programmes, STEM awareness, innovation platforms, and gender-responsive research across Zambia.

2025 panel
2025 keynote
2025 young women
↑ Click to explore each edition
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