This theoretical article examines the role of women in shaping digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) governance in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Uganda. While digital technologies offer potential for economic leapfrogging, the article argues that these processes are embedded within existing power structures that systematically marginalise women . Drawing on synthesis of digital inclusion, critical data governance, and institutional theory, the paper develops a novel conceptual framework termed the ‘Gendered Digital Governance Matrix’ (GDGM). This framework is structured around three interconnected dimensions: structural enablers and barriers, agential practices, and governance outcomes. The analysis demonstrates that Ugandan women are not passive recipients of technology but active, constrained agents who navigate formal institutions—such as the National Information Technology Authority—alongside informal patriarchal norms that limit access to digital resources and decision-making bodies . The framework challenges deficit-based portrayals by centring women’s agency within AI governance, empirically illustrating how they navigate structural barriers to shape inclusive policies . The article contributes to African Studies by extending theoretical frameworks on gender and digital justice to Sub-Saharan governance contexts, offering a nuanced model for evaluating participation gaps beyond 2021 . It posits that women’s participation is not merely a matter of equity but a structural necessity for sustainable technological development . The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers seeking equitable AI ecosystems in the region, emphasising that without deliberate intervention, digital futures risk replicating historical inequalities . References Aduhene-Chinbuah, J., & Peprah, C. O. . Multi-risk management in Ghana's agricultural sector: Strategies, actors, and conceptual shifts—a review. Review of Agricultural Food and Environmental Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41130-024-00215-y Azeez, O. K., & Yu, P. . The role of digital trade and technological advancements in shaping financial resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability, 17(8), 3399. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083399 Emeka, E. T., Ajah, A. C., & Asongu, S. . Promoting structural transformation in Africa in times of antiglobalization, economic nationalism, and protectionism sentiments. Thunderbird International Business Review. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.70017 Mukasa, S. . Gender and digital justice in African governance contexts. Journal of African Digital Studies, 14(2), 78–95. Nakamya, J., & Ssembatya, V. (