Breaking Barriers: Why we Started SWIS Africa – A Story Shared at New England Biolabs
- SWIS Africa
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
In a recent invitation to speak at the headquarters of New England Biolabs (NEB) in Ipswich, MA, USA, our co-founder, Samuel Ogunsola shed light on the urgent need to address the gender gap in STEM across Africa—and how one grassroots initiative is making a difference.
In his powerful talk, Samuel shared the origin story of Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa), a youth-led initiative born out of a deep awareness of the barriers faced by African women in science. After graduating as the best student in his undergraduate biochemistry class,
Samuel watched as many of his brilliant female peers abandoned their STEM ambitions due to societal pressures, lack of support, and limited opportunities.
This reality sparked the birth of SWIS Africa in 2020. With little more than a smartphone and a passion for change, the initiative began by telling real stories—amplifying the voices of African women in STEM to inspire, mentor, and empower others.
The presentation at NEB highlighted:
The key challenges faced by African women in STEM, including gender stereotypes, lack of access to mentorship, and limited visibility of role models
The innovative model SWIS Africa uses - blending storytelling, mentorship, and training to provide culturally relevant support
The impact so far: over 1,000 young women trained, 50+ stories published across platforms like Medium and YouTube, and strategic partnerships with institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University Africa and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
The organization’s bold vision to become a leading platform where African women in STEM are celebrated, supported, and equipped to lead scientific and technological innovation
SWIS Africa’s approach is unique—not only because of its focus on storytelling, but because of its deep cultural grounding and youth-led leadership. It is bridging the gap between aspiration and access, transforming potential into purpose, and shifting the narrative around what is possible for African women in science and technology.
Watch the full talk to learn more about SWIS Africa’s journey, its impact, and why the world should care. Whether you’re passionate about gender equity, STEM education, or youth empowerment, this talk offers insight, inspiration, and a call to action.
Join the movement. Share the story. Help shape the future of African women in STEM.
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