IWD: Celebrating the women shaping technology in Africa

Being a woman comes with obstacles and the expectation that you shouldn’t aspire for much.

A woman’s place is thought to be in the kitchen and child-rearing by many cultures.

By 2023, the number of women holding leadership positions in the technology industry had dropped to 28%. By age 35, 50% of women employed in technology positions leave their jobs. Amidst this odd, we have African women who are still striving.

In line with the theme of the International Women’s Day’s “Inspire Inclusion” and being the Black women history month, Techpression is celebrating women in Tech across the varying African countries.

Read also: Why women make better investors

Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria) – Cofounder/COO at Piggyvest

Odunayo Eweniyi, a trailblazing entrepreneur from Nigeria, has left an indelible mark on the fintech landscape as the co-founder and COO of Piggyvest. Armed with a degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University, Eweniyi’s journey into entrepreneurship began with her recognition of a pressing need within her community. Alongside her co-founders, Somto Ifezue and Joshua Chibueze, she launched Piggyvest in 2016 to provide Nigerians with a platform to save and invest their money securely.

Under Eweniyi’s astute leadership, Piggyvest has experienced exponential growth, becoming a household name in Nigeria and beyond. The platform’s innovative approach to financial management has garnered widespread acclaim, attracting over a million users and facilitating billions in savings and investments.

Eweniyi’s vision extends beyond mere business success; she is a staunch advocate for women’s participation in technology and entrepreneurship. Through her platform and public engagements, she tirelessly champions gender diversity and inclusion, inspiring countless aspiring female entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.

Her entrepreneurial acumen has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list and The Future Awards Africa’s Prize for Technology. Eweniyi’s influence extends beyond her role at Piggyvest; she is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the fintech space, regularly sharing her insights on innovation and financial literacy.

Despite the challenges she has faced as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, Eweniyi’s resilience and determination have propelled her to success.

Lindiwe Matlali (South African) – Beacon Empowering Women and Girls

Lindiwe Matlali, a prominent figure in South Africa’s tech industry, embodies the spirit of empowerment and innovation. She stands out as a multiple award-winning tech industry and business leader.

As a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and TEDx Speaker, Matlali’s influence extends far beyond her accolades. Her nonprofit organisation, Social Coding, catalyses change by providing technical workshops to disadvantaged girls and women, equipping them with essential software development and design thinking skills.

Matlali’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in tech shines through her efforts to bridge the digital divide. By empowering marginalised communities with technological knowledge, she paves the way for individuals to become creators and problem solvers in the digital age. Her work fosters technical skills and instils confidence and resilience in those she mentors.

Matlali’s dedication to empowering women in tech has garnered recognition and acclaim within the industry. Her innovative approach to addressing societal challenges through technology has earned her accolades and admiration from peers and mentees. She continues to inspire positive change and drive impact in the tech ecosystem through her leadership and advocacy.

As a visionary leader in tech empowerment, Lindiwe Matlali exemplifies the transformative power of technology in creating opportunities for all. Her unwavering commitment to uplifting underserved communities through tech education sets a precedent for inclusive innovation and societal progress. Lindiwe Matlali’s journey inspires aspiring technologists and advocates for change across South Africa and beyond.

Farida Bedwei (Ghana) – Cofounder of Logiciel

Women are transforming Ghana’s tech scene. Though challenging, they are making significant contributions across sectors.

Farida Nana Efua Bedwei is a software engineer from Ghana born on April 6, 1979. She cofounded Logiciel, a fin-tech company in Ghana. It is known that Farida Bedwei knows a lot about software architecture and deploying mobile services, especially for banking apps. She has made both mobile and enterprise apps.

Her career started at Soft Company Ltd, which is now called Softtribe. There, she learned how to be a better software developer. She started working for Rancard Solutions Ltd. in 2001 and progressed from solutions analyst to senior software architect by 2010. In this case, she was responsible for building and maintaining essential mobility tools.

Her Rancard Solutions job was to design and maintain mobility platforms. She created a content management system for the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and PayBureau, an enterprise web-based payroll application for KPMG Accra to manage payroll services for multiple companies at Rancard Solutions.

G-Life Microfinance hired Bedwei in 2010 to design and deploy new products and services. She founded and runs Logiciel Ltd. in Accra, Ghana, in April 2011. She created and implemented gKudi, a web-based (cloud) banking software suite for microfinance, at Logiciel Ltd., which 130 institutions utilise countrywide.

An autobiographical mini-biography, Definition of a Miracle, was her debut book. After receiving multiple accolades and appointments, she joined Ghana’s National Communication Authority Board.

Ferida invented a cerebral palsy superhero. She powers her comic character Karmzah with her cerebral palsy crutches.

Bedwei knows a lot about software architecture and deployment, especially banking apps. She is also very good at technology. This information helped her immensely when she co-founded Logiciel, a Ghanaian financial company, in 2011. Logiciel gives the microfinance business robust banking systems, which helps people who don’t have bank accounts get access to money.

Bedwei’s achievements go beyond the technology world. One of the things she fights for is mental health awareness, which she does through her platform “My Mind My Funk.” This project, along with her work on projects like Purple Day Online, shows how committed she is to making a difference in the world.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi gave Farida Bedwei the 2018 Special Award for Extraordinary Achievement. Also, in 2013, she won the Most Influential Women in Business and Government Award in the Financial Sector. In 2012, President John Mahama gave her a special award. As of 2011, the Legacy and Legacy Ideas Award went to the winner of the Maiden Award.

With her unwavering determination, Farida Bedwei’s story shows how important it is for Africa to keep coming up with new technologies. Future generations of African programmers are still inspired by what she did as a developer, business owner, and social activist.

Judith Owigar (Kenya) – Co-founder and President of AkiraChix

As a social entrepreneur, Judith Owigar is dedicated to making a positive impact through the power of technology. This is the driving force behind her decision to co-found AkiraChix, an organisation whose mission is to empower future generations of African women to solve pressing problems through the application of technology. A large number of girls and young women—and even some children—have been inspired by her drive to improve the social capital of African tech professionals to pursue careers in STEM fields.

This same motivation prompted her to found Juakali Workforce, an organisation that helps skilled manual labourers in Kenya find better jobs and combats the alarmingly high youth unemployment rate in the country. Those who believe in a more just future for blue-collar workers can join her in her search for collaborators. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.

She has given numerous speeches about her work over the years. She has been a featured speaker at prestigious events such as the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing and the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, where she was on stage alongside Barack Obama and Uhuru Kenyatta, the presidents of Kenya and the United States, respectively. Among her many accolades are being named one of CNN’s 10 African voices to follow on Twitter (2015), a fellow of the East African Acumen programme (2015), and a fellow of International Focus (2014).

She is an active member of several boards, including SPIDER (the Swedish Programme for Information and Communication Technology in Developing Regions), Lumen Labs, the Africa WeTech (Women Enhancing Technology) Leadership Council, and the St. George’s Primary School Alumni Association.

Akaliza Keza Gara: Spearheading Rwanda’s tech revolution

Akaliza Keza Gara, a Rwandan IT activist and entrepreneur, stands at the forefront of technological advancement in Rwanda. Her remarkable journey began with founding a technology consultancy and website design company, coupled with an animation studio, showcasing her expertise and passion for the tech industry. Gara’s dedication extends beyond business; she actively promotes and empowers women in technology, earning recognition from the Rwandan government and the International Telecommunication Union.

Born in Uganda and educated in the UK, Gara’s global experiences shaped her vision for Rwanda’s tech future. Settling in Kigali, she secured her first major project at just 23, designing a government website with borrowed equipment. Her multimedia business, Shaking Sun, soon flourished, contributing to national projects like websites for government ministries.

Gara’s influence extends beyond business ventures. As a mentor at kLab and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she nurtures Rwanda’s tech talent. Recognised for her achievements, she received awards for Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur in ICT and represented East Africa as a youth representative for Microsoft.

Passionate about storytelling, Gara founded Yambi Animation Studios, aiming to create Africa-focused content. Her latest endeavour, African Tales, promises to be Rwanda’s first children’s cartoon series, enriching local culture and education.

Appointed to the Digital Cooperation High-Level Panel by the United Nations, Gara continues to advocate for digital inclusion and cooperation, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Akaliza Keza Gara embodies Rwanda’s tech revolution, driving innovation, empowerment, and global collaboration. Her journey inspires a new generation of tech leaders and underscores Rwanda’s position on the global tech stage.

Barbara Birungi (Uganda) – Founder of the Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) organisation

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate a remarkable woman(Barbara Birungi), African Women in Tech (Uganda), who is empowering the next generation of female leaders in Uganda and beyond. As the founder of Women in Technology Uganda (WITU), her passion lies in igniting the potential within young women and girls, inspiring them to embrace the exciting world of science and technology. Through her organisation, she equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue higher education in STEM and become innovative entrepreneurs and future leaders.

Her influence extends far beyond Uganda’s borders. She has graced international platforms like the United Nations, New York Youth ECOSOC, and various Paris, Berlin, Bangkok, and Tanzania conferences. These appearances are a testament to her dedication to advocating for women’s empowerment on a global scale.

Her unwavering commitment to creating equal opportunities in the tech industry paves the way for a brighter future where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society’s advancement. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, her story reminds us that with passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, women can achieve their dreams and inspire generations to come.

Contributors: Temitayo Eyimofe, Ibukun, Modupe Olalere, Felicia Akindurodoye, Olanrewaju Adeniyi and Esther Abayomi