Building Tech Capacity Across Africa: In Conversation with Naomi Williams

Living a life defined by reinvention, Naomi Williams is the definition of multi hyphenated. Dubbed a ‘roladex’ by her team, she is the Chief Operating Officer of Black Girls in Tech (BGIT) and a Principal User Researcher.  Since taking the helm at BGIT, she has guided the international expansion of its 30,000-strong network across the UK, Ireland, the US, and Nigeria. But it’s the African continent, and the power of its women, that holds her focus.

Born in Lagos and raised in London, Naomi comes from a family of barrier-breakers. With her Dad one of the first black students at Buckingham University and her mum priding life to have ‘different acts’, she channels that legacy into leading with purpose and clarity. That ethos - that identity can be fluid and expansive - runs through Naomi’s work. What began as a Clubhouse group chat of 200 women has grown into a continent-spanning platform rooted not only in community, but in transformation. “We made the shift from just community to empowerment.” she says. “For us, that means up skilling.”

Operating as an NGO in Nigeria, BGIT partners with schools and local governments to deliver free training, foundational digital education, and mentorship to women and girls. While many assume the organisation is focused solely on coding, Naomi says the work often starts far earlier. “In many cases, we’re teaching students how to use a keyboard and how to format a Word document. That’s where we’re starting from.” It’s part of what she calls ‘capacity-building’ - a term that is rooted in building the foundational infrastructure for an economy to thrive.

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“The West has infrastructure. Africa is still working on the basics - power, data,

connectivity. But Africa is also the future. It's the next tech hub, but only if we build capacity now. If we want to be part of the global conversation, we have to equip our population.”

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Naomi's work is deeply technical, but also cultural and personal. In one workshop, facilitators asked young girls what they would build if they could create anything in the world. For the first time, Naomi says many began to see themselves not only as users of technology, but as its creators. That shift in imagination and curiosity mirrors Naomi’s own work as a Principal User Researcher where she translates human behaviour into better product design. “I’m the reason your favourite app works the way it does,” she says with a smile. It’s this blend of clarity and relatability that drives her and inspires others.

Of course, challenges remain. “We’re not playing chess yet”, she says of her work in Nigeria. “We’re still playing checkers. But we’re moving.” A pivotal moment came in 2022, when BGIT partnered with Cisco to launch a Cybersecurity Academy offering certified, self-paced courses at no cost to participants - aside from the final exam. “It was one of my proudest projects,” Naomi recalls. “It showed what’s possible when the right tools meet the right intentions, and how impact scales when access is built in by design.

Outside of her professional life, Naomi is in constant motion. Between Lagos and London, French lessons and tennis courts, strategy calls and outreach events, her personal life is as layered as her professional one. But she is clear: movement is not the same as overextension. “Work doesn’t define me,” she says. “It’s important to have an identity outside of it.” Her advice on navigating modern careers is equally pragmatic. That intentionality is what’s allowed her to pivot, again and again. For Naomi, reinvention isn’t reactionary. Life has many acts, and just like her mum, she prides herself on having the ability to be more than one thing. 

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“Every move should be strategic. You need to know how far you want to go and what you’re willing to trade.”

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As BGIT scales into new African cities like Cape Town and Accra, Naomi remains focused on what matters: building infrastructure, nurturing talent, and ensuring that women and girls are not only included in tech’s future but equipped to lead it. “The moment a girl realises she can change the colour of a letter on a screen - that’s power,” she says. “That spark and curiosity is where everything begins.” 

In Naomi’s world, real transformation doesn’t start with code. It starts with access and belief. The next generation of creators, leaders and innovators don't need to be imagined. They’re already here - all they need is someone to open the door. Naomi Williams, and the BGIT team, are holding that door wide open.

Get to know Naomi:

Born: Lagos, Nigeria

Ethnicity: Nigeria 🇳🇬

Three words her team describe her as: Energetic, Direct, Resourceful

Workday soundtrack to hype her up: Horns in the Sun or one of Drake's first four albums 

Advice to live by: Just start, keep going, and pivot when necessary

Go-to work outfit: Small tee and oversized jeans. Very simple - black and white colours, and lots of jewellery

Songs on rotation: