On April 28, 2025, a new wave of recognition swept across Africa’s tech sector, spotlighting outstanding women like Funke Opeke, Nneile Nkholise, Rebecca Enonchong, Fara Ashiru Jituboh, and Chioma Ekeh. These trailblazers are driving innovation and rewriting the rules for what’s possible in technology.
Funke Opeke, CEO of MainOne, transformed West Africa’s internet infrastructure, overcoming funding and gender bias. Nneile Nkholise’s IMed Tech uses 3D printing for healthcare solutions, while Rebecca Enonchong empowers startups through AppsTech and advocacy for tech entrepreneurship.
Fara Ashiru Jituboh, co-founder of Okra, has pushed Nigeria’s fintech scene forward, launching cloud services tailored for African businesses in 2024. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, leads one of the continent’s largest tech distributors and champions programs like Girls in ICT, nurturing the next generation of female tech leaders.
As Efe Ukala, founder of ImpactHER, says, “Empowering women with digital skills is not just about inclusion-it’s about building the future of Africa’s economy.” Under her leadership, ImpactHER has trained over 130,000 women-led businesses across 53 countries, proving that mentorship and access open doors for countless others.
Tips and platforms: How to succeed as a woman in tech
Yvette Adounvo Atekpe, a Ghanaian tech leader, says, “The future of technology is shaped by those bold enough to lead it. Women in technology must move beyond participation to ownership, innovation, and impact”. Here are actionable tips and platforms to help women thrive in tech:
Build strong networks: Join communities like Women in Tech Africa, She Leads Africa, and the FLAIR Summit, which connects women with mentors, peers, and industry leaders.
Seek mentorship: Platforms such as ImpactHER and ALX offer mentorship, training, and resources tailored for women entering or advancing in tech.
Invest in continuous learning: Free and low-cost courses on Coursera, Udemy, and ALX’s AI Career Essentials help women stay ahead in fast-evolving fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
Showcase your work: Participate in hackathons, tech conferences, and pitch competitions to gain visibility and practical experience.
Advocate for yourself: Don’t hesitate to ask for leadership roles or negotiate for better opportunities, as many of Africa’s top women in tech have done.
Bukola Ajayi, a leader at MTN Nigeria, highlights the value of resilience: “Project managers are the backbone of innovation. Women must step up, drive change, and deliver solutions that matter”.
Ruby Igwe, Country General Manager of ALX, has empowered over 58,000 women with tech and entrepreneurial skills, showing that targeted programs can rapidly scale women’s impact.
Platforms like TD Africa’s TDAcademy, ImpactHER, and ALX are helping women build technical and leadership skills, while initiatives like Girls in ICT and The Herwakening introduce tech to girls early, breaking stereotypes and building confidence.
As the African proverb goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Women in tech across Africa are proving that collective action, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of skills open doors to leadership, innovation, and ownership. Their stories show that the path to success is about personal achievement, lifting others, and shaping the continent’s digital future.