Africa’s technology landscape has been experiencing rapid growth and innovation, and at the forefront of this exciting revolution are visionary women making significant strides in the tech industry. These trailblazers have shattered gender barriers, created groundbreaking solutions, and are driving technological advancements that are shaping Africa’s future. In this article, we discuss seven remarkable women who are leading the charge in Africa’s technology boom.
1. Maya Horgan Famodu (Nigeria)
Maya Horgan Famodu is a prominent figure in the African tech and startup ecosystem. As the founder and managing director of Ingressive Capital, she is a venture capitalist actively investing in and supporting early-stage tech startups across Africa, and a cofounder of Ingressive For Good, a nonprofit providing scholarships, technical training and talent placement for African youths Her expertise and passion for the African tech space have made her a respected leader and advocate for the advancement of technology and entrepreneurship in Africa.
2. Rebecca Enonchong (Cameroon)
Rebecca Enonchong, often referred to as the “Queen of African Tech,” is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of AppsTech, a leading global provider of enterprise application solutions. Enonchong has also gained notoriety as one of the more followed sources for African tech news on Twitter, with over 30 thousand followers. Her handle, @Africatechie, has become a nickname for Enonchong in IT circles.
3. Juliana Rotich (Kenya)
As the co-founder of Ushahidi, a crowd-mapping platform that gained global recognition during the 2008 Kenyan post-election violence, Juliana Rotich has demonstrated the power of technology in addressing societal challenges. She is also a pioneer in the Internet of Things (IoT) space, advocating for smart city solutions and promoting innovation in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
4. Funke Opeke (Nigeria)
Funke Opeke is the CEO of MainOne, a leading communications services company in West Africa. She has played a vital role in expanding broadband connectivity in Nigeria and the West African region, driving digital transformation across industries. Funke’s vision and commitment to bridging the digital divide have positioned her as a driving force behind Africa’s digital revolution.
5. Ethel Cofie (Ghana)
Ethel Cofie, a renowned tech entrepreneur and founder of EDEL Technology Consulting, is passionate about empowering women in technology. Through her work, she has been instrumental in advancing digital skills and promoting female participation in the tech sector. Ethel’s dedication to creating opportunities for young women in tech has earned her recognition as one of Africa’s leading women in technology.
6. Charlette N’Guessan (Côte d’Ivoire)
Charlette N’Guessan is the founder of BACE Group, a tech company specializing in artificial intelligence solutions. She made history by winning the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation in 2020 for her AI-powered facial recognition software that enhances security. Charlette’s groundbreaking work in AI exemplifies the immense potential for technology to address real-world challenges in Africa.
7. Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria)
As the founder of LifeBank, a digital platform that connects blood banks to hospitals in Nigeria, Temie Giwa-Tubosun has revolutionized the healthcare industry. Her innovative approach to using technology for healthcare delivery has saved countless lives and earned her global recognition as a leading social entrepreneur in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
These seven remarkable women are at the forefront of Africa’s technology boom, using their vision, passion, and expertise to drive technological advancements and shape the continent’s future. Their dedication to promoting tech innovation, empowering women in technology, and creating solutions that address real-world challenges exemplify the transformative power of technology in Africa. As these trailblazers continue to lead and inspire, they pave the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and technologically advanced Africa.
