Africa’s entrepreneurial sector has always had a gender gap problem, leading to inadequate funding in women-led businesses.
Yet, regardless of the lack of gender diversity on investment boards, funding gap, or even an unconscious bias, many female African tech entrepreneurs continue to impact the industry remarkably.
The women on the Top 100 Career Women 9to5 Chick list comprise those who have constituted significant development in African tech, while simultaneously inspiring young girls to do the same.
Through funding, training, leadership or innovation, their names have become synonymous with groundbreaking tech innovations and transformations that have opened their countries, and the continent, to the global community.
Ranging from robotics to fintech, women are doing exploits in their industries.
According to the president of the 9to5Chick, Glory Edozien PhD “All across corporate Africa, women are doing phenomenal work”.
The breakdown of the representation from the different African regions consists of West Africa (60), East Africa (18), Southern Africa (15), Central Africa (1), and North Africa (6).
The women from the technology space who were recognised include:
Mirna Arif, General Manager, Microsoft Egypt (Egypt) has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, having worked for multinational organizations and public sector entities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Ogochukwu Onwuzurike, Country Manager Truecaller (Nigeria) is a major force in business strategy.
Charity Wanjiku, Senior Project Manager, EA, Africa Data Centres (Kenya), is renowned for leading multicultural teams and projects in mission-critical infrastructure, sustainable building.
Aalaa Gamal, Regional Manager, Flutterwave (Egypt) has extensive experience across banking, career tech, and now Fintech.
Folasade Femi Lawal, Country Manager, Mastercard (Nigeria) recognized for her role in building a more connected and inclusive digital economy in West Africa.
Napa Onwusah, Startups Segment Leader, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Amazon Web Services (AWS) (Nigeria). She has over two decades of leadership experience from top-tier corporations like AWS, Google, Visa, Nokia, Microsoft, SAP, and Cisco.
Juliana Rotich, Head of Department – Fintech Solutions/Safaricom Plc (Kenya), is a globally renowned Technologist, MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow, TED Senior Fellow and currently serves as Chair of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Data Driven Development.
Olayemi Funmilayo Dickson, Assistant Chief Research Officer, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM).
By broadcasting their success to such a wide audience, 9to5Chick hopes to remind women and girls that their contributions to humanity are both possible and valuable.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.