by Kweyakie Afi Blebo, Co-Founder and Programs Director of Because She Can
What project are you currently working on?
I’m currently leading the fourth cohort of the Because She Can mentorship program, a flagship initiative connecting African women in tech with one-on-one mentorship, curated career paths, and access to resources like laptops, training discounts, and project support. The program has grown into a global network spanning 15+ countries, with 200+. Every mentee completes a portfolio-worthy project and is supported monthly. We’ve now introduced university chapters across Ghana and are piloting a research-focused pipeline to support African women pursuing graduate studies in technology, AI, and policy.
What was your biggest challenge/success recently?
One of my biggest ongoing challenges is securing adequate funding to sustain and scale our work at Because She Can. We run a range of impactful programs, from providing laptops and mentorship to underserved women in tech to organizing low-cost training and university chapters across Ghana. However, sustaining this work at scale requires consistent funding, which is often difficult to secure as a grassroots, women-led NGO.
On the other hand, a major recent success was my appointment to the Diversity in Scientific Computing (DISC) Committee at NumFOCUS, a US-based nonprofit that supports open-source tools in scientific research and AI. I am one of only two Africans serving on the committee. As part of this work, I co-organized and attended the DISC Unconference in Brazil in March 2025, where I helped design the event structure, review applicants, and bring together over 60 DEI leaders from 15+ countries to brainstorm solutions to make open source technology and open science inclusive with particular focus on the Global South.
What experience from AGYLE had the most impact on your further development?
Though I wasn’t able to attend the AGYLE Live week in Berlin, the opportunity to be selected among such a powerful cohort of changemakers was affirming. Connecting with fellows virtually and at the Kigali meetup this year gave me clarity and new direction. The exposure sharpened my thinking around impact measurement, sustainability, and systems-building, and reminded me I wasn’t building alone.
Have you been involved in a collaboration within the AGYLE network?
Yes, through AGYLE, I’ve formed strategic connections with fellows who have helped shape how I think about funding models, partnerships, and community engagement. While formal collaborations are still in progress, the value of shared knowledge and introductions has already made a significant difference in how I’m approaching our next phase of growth.
Is there something you’d like to share with the AGYLE community?
As we grow Because She Can I’m particularly exploring hybrid models and partnerships that allow us to scale sustainably. If any fellows are working in the education, digital equity, or social enterprise spaces, I’d love to connect.
I’m also keen to support youth development or women-led initiatives with mentorship or platform exposure. I’m open to meaningful collaborations that align with my work at the intersection of tech, gender equity, and digital transformation. As a data scientist, NGO founder, and member of the Diversity in Scientific Computing (DISC) Committee at NumFOCUS, I advocate for the inclusion of underrepresented groups in tech globally.
My strengths span program design, cross-sector partnerships, tech policy, and digital strategy. I lead Because She Can, where we've built a scalable mentorship model across 15 countries, launched a job-readiness fellowship equipping women with laptops and coaching, and supported 10,000+ women and girls so far. I also bring experience working with community-based organizations, academic institutions, and international networks.
What exactly was the LegalTech Hackathon, and how did it come together?
The LegalTech Hackathon was Africa’s first legal innovation-focused hackathon, co-hosted by Because She Can and The Legal Tech Lounge. It brought together law students, developers, and civic actors to co-create solutions for justice access and legal inclusion. We had participants from over 10 universities in Ghana and achieved 42% female representation, an intentional push to close the gender gap in tech-legal spaces.
I led on logistics, sponsorship, and diversity efforts, from securing the venue and coordinating mentor sessions to curating a judging panel that reflected both legal expertise and innovation. It was an ambitious project that demanded cross-sector collaboration, community mobilization, and resourcefulness, and it has opened doors for future civic-tech and policy-tech work in Ghana. Read more here
