10 African Women Transforming Technology and Inclusion Across the Continent

African Women Leading Africa’s Digital Transformation

Across Africa, women are at the forefront of the continent’s technological evolution — founding startups, leading engineering teams, and championing inclusion. From fintech and software engineering to data science and digital education, these women are not only breaking barriers but also shaping Africa’s digital destiny.

Their work comes at a critical time. Africa’s tech ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with over 6,500 active startups across the continent, according to Partech Africa’s 2024 report. Yet, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and STEM fields. The achievements of these ten women offer both inspiration and a blueprint for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

1. Ethel Delali Cofie – Championing Women in Tech Across Africa (Ghana)

Ethel Delali Cofie, founder and CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting, stands out as one of Ghana’s leading technology executives. Her company delivers digital transformation projects for governments and corporations across Africa and Europe.

Beyond her business leadership, she founded Women in Tech Africa, the continent’s largest professional network for women in STEM. The organization operates in more than 30 countries and hosts annual conferences to promote mentorship and innovation.

Cofie’s mission is clear: to ensure that African women have equal access to opportunities in the tech industry. Her advocacy has helped shape discussions around inclusion, leadership, and gender equality in digital spaces.

2. Odunayo Eweniyi – Driving Financial Inclusion Through Fintech (Nigeria)

Nigeria’s Odunayo Eweniyi co-founded PiggyVest, a pioneering digital savings and investment platform with over 5 million users. The platform has transformed how young Nigerians save and invest money, particularly in an economy where traditional financial services often exclude lower-income earners.

Eweniyi is also a founding partner of FirstCheck Africa, an early-stage venture fund that invests exclusively in women-led startups. Through this initiative, she is nurturing a new generation of female tech founders across Africa.

Her dual focus on fintech innovation and gender equity reflects the broader shift toward inclusive finance on the continent — where technology is bridging longstanding gaps in access to capital.

3. Jihan Abass – Building Affordable Digital Insurance (Kenya)

In Kenya, Jihan Abass is transforming access to insurance through her company, Lami Technologies. Lami provides digital APIs that enable businesses to offer affordable insurance products seamlessly online.

Africa’s insurance penetration rate remains below 3%, according to the African Insurance Organisation, largely due to high costs and limited awareness. Abass’s platform addresses these barriers, creating new pathways for millions of Africans to access coverage and financial security.

Her innovation reflects a growing movement toward “insurtech” — a sector gaining traction across Africa as more startups blend technology with financial inclusion.

4. Ire Aderinokun – Pioneering Web Development and Crypto Infrastructure (Nigeria/UK)

As one of Nigeria’s first female front-end developers, Ire Aderinokun has blazed a trail in web engineering and digital finance. She co-founded Helicarrier, a Y Combinator-backed startup that builds crypto infrastructure for African markets.

Through her blog and community work, Aderinokun shares programming knowledge with thousands of aspiring developers. She has become a vocal advocate for digital literacy and open-source collaboration across Africa’s growing tech space.

5. Rebecca Enonchong – Building Africa’s Startup Ecosystem (Cameroon)

Cameroonian entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong has long been recognized as a pillar of Africa’s tech ecosystem. As founder and CEO of AppsTech, she provides enterprise software solutions to clients in over 50 countries.

She also serves as Chair of Afrilabs, a network that connects more than 400 innovation hubs across Africa. Enonchong’s work has strengthened regional collaboration and policy advocacy for tech entrepreneurship.

Her influence extends to the global stage — she has consistently pushed for digital inclusion and capacity building for Africa’s youth and women entrepreneurs.

6. Regina Honu – Empowering Ghanaian Girls Through Tech Education

Regina Honu, founder and CEO of Soronko Academy, is transforming digital education in Ghana. Her academy, the first coding and human-centered design school for girls in the country, trains hundreds of students annually in coding, robotics, and digital design.

Soronko’s programs have expanded beyond Ghana, reaching young women across West Africa. Honu’s work addresses a critical gap: according to UNESCO, only 30% of STEM students in sub-Saharan Africa are women.

Her vision is to equip girls with the technical and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

7. Nneile Nkholise – Merging AI with Agriculture and Bioengineering (South Africa)

South African bioengineer Nneile Nkholise is using artificial intelligence to modernize agriculture through her company 3DIMO. The startup collects and analyzes data to help farmers detect livestock diseases early and improve productivity.

She also founded Thola Inc, a B2B platform connecting African farmers with global buyers to enhance trade and sustainability.

Nkholise’s innovations demonstrate how women are applying STEM expertise to real-world problems — from food security to data-driven farming — critical issues for Africa’s economic resilience.

8. Baratang Miya – Introducing Girls to Coding and App Development (South Africa)

Baratang Miya, founder of GirlHype, has spent over a decade promoting digital literacy among young girls. Her organization introduces school-age girls to coding, app development, and design thinking, preparing them for careers in technology.

GirlHype partners with global organizations such as Mozilla and UN Women to extend training to underserved communities. Miya’s mission underscores the need for early exposure to STEM — a key factor in building long-term gender parity in technology.

9. Judith Owigar – Advocating for Digital Inclusion (Kenya)

Judith Owigar, co-founder of AkiraChix, has become one of East Africa’s most respected voices for women in technology. AkiraChix offers training in coding, entrepreneurship, and leadership to young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Many of its alumni now work in prominent startups and global tech firms. Owigar’s work exemplifies how grassroots organizations can change the narrative around women’s participation in the digital economy.

10. Farida Bedwei – Championing Disability Inclusion in Tech (Ghana)

Ghanaian software engineer Farida Bedwei is co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Logiciel, a software company that develops management systems for microfinance institutions.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Bedwei has overcome significant challenges to become a leading voice for inclusion in technology. Her advocacy for persons with disabilities has inspired new initiatives in accessible design and inclusive hiring practices across Africa’s tech landscape.

Her story is a reminder that innovation thrives when diversity is embraced.

Why These Innovators Matter for Africa’s Future

The success of these women is not just about breaking glass ceilings — it’s about redefining Africa’s innovation narrative. Collectively, they represent a new generation of digital leaders shaping the continent’s future economy.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), closing the gender gap in digital jobs could add $300 billion to sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP by 2030. Initiatives like those led by these women are paving the way toward that goal.

From Accra to Nairobi, and Lagos to Johannesburg, their work is creating ecosystems that empower others to learn, innovate, and lead. Their stories remind us that Africa’s technological rise will be most sustainable when it is inclusive.

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