Over the last decade, Africa has become one of the fastest-growing technology markets in the world. Women in tech has played a crucial role in this transformation, providing innovative solutions, leading successful startups, and championing digital literacy across the continent.
However, despite the progress, women still face significant challenges in accessing equal opportunities in the tech world. Gender biases, lack of funding, and cultural expectations have made it difficult for many women to succeed in this male-dominated space. But African women are showing that determination, resilience, and creativity can break down these barriers.
Profiles of 15 Leading Women in African Tech
Funmi Adewara
Dr. Funmi Adewara is a distinguished Nigerian-British physician and entrepreneur renowned for her contributions to healthcare innovation. She earned her medical degree from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and furthered her education with a Master’s in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge in the UK.
With over 15 years of experience in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and the pharmaceutical industry as a Drug Safety Physician, Dr. Adewara founded Mobihealth International in 2017. This telemedicine company leverages technology to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services across Africa, addressing challenges such as doctor shortages and high treatment costs.
Under her leadership, Mobihealth has received international recognition, including the World Bank’s Sustainable Development Goals SDG3&Her Global Award in 2020, where she was one of seven global winners selected from over 2,400 contestants worldwide. Additionally, Mobihealth was a finalist in the CISCO Global Problem Solver Awards in 2021.
Dr. Adewara’s work has been featured in various media outlets, including Forbes Africa, CNBC, and the Financial Times. She has also been recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent.
Through her innovative approach to telemedicine, Dr. Adewara continues to make significant strides in improving healthcare access and quality across Africa.
Jane Egerton-Idehen
Jane Egerton-Idehen is a prominent tech executive, author, and angel investor with extensive experience in the telecommunications and technology industries. She currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT), overseeing the operations of Nigeria’s satellite systems, including NigComSat-1R. The satellite provides two-way communication services across Africa, Europe, and Asia, contributing to improved connectivity in the region.
Before her appointment at NIGCOMSAT, Jane held several senior roles in leading global organizations. She was the Head of Sales for the Middle East and Africa at Meta (formerly Facebook), driving business growth in the region. Prior to that, she worked as the Country Manager for Nigeria and the Regional Sales Director for West Africa at Avanti Communications Group Plc, a British satellite communication company. She also held various technical, sales, and management positions at Ericsson and served as a cluster lead for Nokia Siemens Network in West Africa.
Her experiences inspired her to establish initiatives that support other women in their careers. She organized a forum at Ericsson to connect and empower female leaders, which later evolved into ‘Women and Career,’ an organization dedicated to mentoring women and guiding young girls in choosing career paths.
In March 2020, she published Be Fearless: Give Yourself Permission To Be You. The book became an Amazon bestseller, topping charts in categories such as Business Ethics and Knowledge Capital.
Rebecca Enonchong
Rebecca Enonchong is a trailblazer in African tech. As the founder of AppsTech, a global enterprise software solutions company, Enonchong has made a name for herself in both Africa and the international tech scene. Based in Cameroon, she is also an advocate for entrepreneurship and has served on the boards of several organizations dedicated to fostering the tech ecosystem in Africa.
Her work with AppsTech, which provides technology solutions to businesses across Africa and beyond, has earned her recognition as one of the continent’s leading tech innovators. Enonchong is also a vocal advocate for empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa, using her platform to encourage young women to pursue careers in tech.
Ada Nduka Oyom
Ada Nduka Oyom is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for women in tech. As the founder of She Code Africa, Ada has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women in Africa to learn coding and other technical skills.
Through her platform, she is closing the gender gap in the African tech space by providing free and accessible coding workshops for young women, equipping them with the necessary tools to thrive in the tech industry.
Lindiwe Matlali
South African tech entrepreneur Lindiwe Matlali is the founder of Africa Teen Geeks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching young Africans how to code. With a vision to equip the youth with the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy, Matlali has created a platform that reaches thousands of students across South Africa and beyond.
Matlali’s passion for technology education and her efforts to empower young women in the tech industry are transforming the way young people in Africa perceive and engage with technology. By offering free coding programs, Africa Teen Geeks is helping to bridge the digital divide and create a pipeline of future female tech leaders.
Juliana Rotich
Kenyan-born Juliana Rotich is the co-founder of Ushahidi, a platform originally created to map and analyze crisis information during the 2008 Kenyan elections. Since then, Ushahidi has expanded globally, helping to monitor elections, manage disasters, and track human rights violations. Through Ushahidi, Rotich has made a profound impact on how technology can be used for social good, especially in regions affected by conflict, political instability, or natural disasters.
Her work has earned her recognition as one of Africa’s leading social impact tech entrepreneurs, and she continues to inspire others to use technology as a tool for societal change.
Yanmo Omorogbe
Yanmo Omorogbe is a Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder of Pivo, a platform that helps businesses streamline their payment processes and manage their financial transactions.
Through Pivo, Yanmo has made financial technology more accessible for African businesses, helping them grow and scale by simplifying payments. Her work as a founder and advocate for tech-driven financial solutions has solidified her place as a prominent figure in Africa’s fintech ecosystem.
Ethel Delali Cofie
Ethel Delali Cofie is a Ghanaian entrepreneur, digital strategist, and founder of EDEL Consultancy, a company that helps businesses embrace digital transformation and adopt innovative tech solutions.
She is also the founder of Women in Tech Africa, an organization dedicated to empowering African women to join the tech industry. Her advocacy for women in STEM and her efforts to promote digital literacy have made her an influential figure in the African tech ecosystem.
Naadiya Moosajee
Naadiya Moosajee is a South African engineer, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential advocates for women in engineering and technology in Africa. She is the co-founder of Women in Engineering, a non-profit organization that focuses on inspiring and empowering young girls to pursue careers in engineering.
Through her work, Naadiya has played a significant role in challenging stereotypes and changing the narrative about women in technical fields. Her efforts have not only increased the visibility of women in engineering but have also been pivotal in advocating for more gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries.
As a motivational speaker and an engineer herself, Naadiya continues to drive initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers for women in tech and engineering, ensuring that the next generation of African women are equipped to lead in these fields. Her work has earned her recognition as a leading voice for diversity and inclusion in Africa’s tech and engineering industries.
Adaora Nwodo
Adaora Nwodo is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, software engineer, and advocate for diversity in technology. Through her work with several tech organizations and initiatives, Adaora is helping to foster an inclusive tech ecosystem in Africa, encouraging women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in tech.
Damilola Olokesusi
Damilola Olokesusi is the co-founder of Shuttlers, a Nigerian tech company that provides ride-hailing and shuttle services for professionals in major cities. With a mission to transform urban transportation in Africa, Damilola has successfully leveraged technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems.
Her company is solving the traffic and transportation problems that plague African cities, making it a critical player in urban mobility.
Sara Menker
Sara Menker is an Ethiopian entrepreneur and the founder of Gro Intelligence, a data-driven agriculture platform that uses artificial intelligence to forecast global agricultural trends.
Sara’s company has played a critical role in transforming agricultural practices across Africa by providing farmers and stakeholders with crucial data to improve productivity and mitigate the risks posed by climate change. Her impact on Africa’s agricultural tech sector is immeasurable.
Betelhem Dessie
Betelhem Dessie is an Ethiopian innovator and the co-founder of iCog, a technology company focused on artificial intelligence and robotics. She is widely recognized for her work in advancing AI research and development in Africa.
She has been at the forefront of using AI to address challenges such as health care delivery and education in Ethiopia and beyond.
Odunayo Eweniyi
Odunayo Eweniyi is a Nigerian entrepreneur and one of the leading voices in Africa’s tech and fintech industries. She is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of PiggyVest, a revolutionary digital savings and investment platform that helps individuals build financial discipline and achieve their financial goals.
PiggyVest, launched in 2016, is now one of the most popular fintech platforms in Nigeria, offering innovative solutions for saving and growing money. The platform allows users to automate their savings, invest in carefully curated opportunities, and manage their finances efficiently. This has addressed significant challenges related to financial inclusion and saving culture, particularly among Nigeria’s younger population.
Beyond PiggyVest, Odunayo is a passionate advocate for women in technology and entrepreneurship. She co-founded the Feminist Coalition, an organization focused on promoting women’s rights, financial equality, and social justice in Nigeria. Through this initiative, she has championed numerous causes aimed at empowering women and addressing systemic inequalities.
Her impact in the tech space and her dedication to fostering financial literacy have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition in prestigious lists such as Forbes Africa 30 Under 30. Odunayo Eweniyi continues to inspire a new generation of Africans to embrace technology as a tool for economic empowerment and innovation.
Rachel Sibande
Rachel Sibande is a Malawian entrepreneur and the founder of MHub, a tech incubator and innovation center that focuses on providing training, mentoring, and resources to young tech entrepreneurs. She has been a key figure in developing Malawi’s digital ecosystem and encouraging innovation among the youth.
The Future of Women in African Tech
The future of women in African tech is bright. As more women enter the industry and continue to break down barriers, the continent will see even more innovative solutions that address its unique challenges.
We must continue to support and amplify the voices of women in tech, as they play an essential role in driving economic growth, innovation, and social change across Africa.
