On March 17, 2025, new data highlighted the ongoing journey of African women in the tech sector, revealing both progress and persistent challenges.
Several recent reports indicate that women make up about 30 per cent of the tech workforce across Africa.
This percentage varies by country: in South Africa and Nigeria, women account for approximately 28–30 per cent of tech roles, while in Kenya and Egypt, the figure stands closer to 25 per cent. Despite these numbers, women hold less than 15 per cent of executive positions in African tech firms, and only 8 per cent of CEO roles are occupied by women.
A Findexable report further notes that only 3.2 per cent of African fintech firms are founded solely by women, doubling the global average of 1.6 per cent. Out of 2,786 African startups surveyed, 17.3 per cent have a female CEO who leads at least one female co-founder, compared to only 11.1 percent. The funding gap remains stark: in 2024, female CEOs in African tech received just 2 per cent of total funding, compared to nearly $2.2 billion secured by male CEOs.
Ethel Cofie, CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting, remarks, “We’re better than we were 10 to 15 years ago, but there’s a very long way to go in fixing the perceptions of women in the tech space.”
Top women in tech Africa: leaders shaping the industry
The number of African women in tech leadership roles has doubled over the past five years, with several trailblazers gaining international recognition for their impact. Here are seven recent top women in tech in Africa:
Rebecca Enonchong (Cameroon): Founder and CEO of AppsTech, a global provider of enterprise application solutions.
Ire Aderinokun (Nigeria): Co-founder and COO of Helicarrier, a blockchain technology company.
Angela Mirembe Semwogerere (Uganda): General manager of Spidd Africa and founder of Coding in Heels, an initiative empowering women and girls in technology.
Ethel Cofie (Ghana): CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting and founder of Women in Tech Africa, the continent’s largest women-in-tech group.
Judith Owigar (Kenya): Co-founder of AkiraChix, which trains women in technology and entrepreneurship.
Nneile Nkholise (South Africa): Founder of iMed Tech, which specialises in medical innovations.
Farida Bedwei (Ghana): Co-founder and CTO of Logiciel, a leading software company.
Angela Mirembe Semwogerere describes her experience: “You walk into a room, and people are just thinking that maybe you’re the tea girl. They’re asking you, ‘Oh, do you know where the tea is?’ And you’re like, ‘No, I’m one of the speakers’”. These leaders are not only breaking stereotypes but also mentoring the next generation of women in tech.
Despite the barriers, the rise of African women in tech is undeniable. Their stories inspire a new wave of innovation and entrepreneurship, with organisations and initiatives across the continent working to close the gender gap and unlock women’s full potential in technology.