Africa’s technology landscape has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, outpacing almost all other regions globally. At the forefront of this expansion is a dynamic group of women who are reshaping the definitions of leadership, innovation, and inclusion within technology. From constructing the digital infrastructure that sustains West Africa’s internet to influencing sectors like fintech, healthtech, and artificial intelligence, African women are pivotal to the industry’s evolution.
Despite their significant impacts, many of these women’s contributions are frequently underappreciated, often limited to the narratives surrounding a handful of well-known founders.
This article shines a spotlight on 10 exceptional African women in technology who are making tangible differences in Africa and beyond. It features not only headline-grabbing founders but also builders, operators, policymakers, and technologists whose work is shaping the future of Africa’s digital narrative.
Nunu Ntshingila: Former Africa Regional Director at Meta
A seasoned leader in the advertising and communications industries, Nunu Ntshingila gained prominence long before her tenure in the global tech sector. She was appointed as Africa Regional Director at Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2015, where she was instrumental in driving the strategic and commercial growth of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp across 54 African nations.
Her initiatives, including Free Basics, aimed to provide free access to essential internet services, impacting millions. Ntshingila managed the commercial strategy, partnerships, and policy engagement for one of the continent’s leading digital platforms, significantly influencing advertising revenues and digital connectivity. After nearly seven years, she announced her departure from Meta in July 2022, consistently recognized as one of the most powerful women in global business by outlets like Fortune Magazine.
Karen Nadasen: CEO of PayU Africa
Karen Nadasen began her career as a Java developer in Cape Town before working at Microsoft. She joined PayU in 2012 and quickly ascended to CEO in 2016 after returning from maternity leave. Under her guidance, PayU Africa has become a key player in the continent’s digital economy, primarily through its secure online payment platforms.
Nadasen’s role emphasizes infrastructure over consumer interactions, with a focus on the payment systems that facilitate countless e-commerce transactions across Africa. Her efforts have significantly enhanced financial inclusion, connecting African consumers to the global digital marketplace. Her influential presence in the tech sphere has garnered multiple nominations and awards.
Seun Runsewe: Senior Product Leader at Chipper Cash
Seun Runsewe is a Product Strategist with deep expertise in fintech, having held key roles at major African startups like Paystack and OPay, before assuming her current position as a Senior Product Leader at Chipper Cash. Her career has been transformed into a roadmap of the fintech evolution in Africa, where she has contributed to the development of critical financial products.
As the founder of Biamo Money, a fintech platform designed for mothers, Runsewe is also focused on inspiring women in technology. Her recognition in Vogue India underscores her significant role in West Africa’s tech surge, illustrating her determination to drive financial innovation and accessibility.
Oluchi Enebeli: Blockchain Engineer and Founder of Web3Ladies
As one of Nigeria’s first certified female blockchain engineers, Oluchi Enebeli has made significant strides in the fintech sector, focusing on distributed ledger technology and cybersecurity. Her technical roles have included crafting wallet infrastructures and decentralized finance systems for leading crypto firms.
Enebeli also champions gender parity in the Web3 space through Web3Ladies, an initiative aimed at training 100,000 African women in blockchain development and smart contract creation. Her team has successfully trained over 2,000 individuals by the end of 2022, celebrating her commitment to creating a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
Lillian Barnard: Former CEO of Microsoft South Africa
Lillian Barnard became the first black woman to lead Microsoft South Africa since its re-establishment in the post-apartheid era. With over 25 years in the information and communications technology sector, she was appointed Managing Director in March 2019 and subsequently became President of Microsoft Africa.
Her extensive background included roles at Vodacom, and she has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 at the African Women in Technology – Global Movement Awards, illustrating her significant influence in tech leadership.
Rebecca Enonchong: Founder and CEO of AppsTech
Rebecca Enonchong, known for her comprehensive technical expertise, founded AppsTech in 1999, paving the way for enterprise application solutions across Africa. Her firm has excelled to become an Oracle Platinum Partner, serving clients in more than 40 countries.
Beyond her company, she has led initiatives like the African Business Angel Network and AfriLabs, a burgeoning network of innovation hubs across the continent. Her accolades include the Global Leader for Tomorrow award in 2002, underscoring her impactful leadership in the tech community.
Betelhem Dessie: Founder and CEO of iCog
Betelhem Dessie is a trailblazer in Ethiopia’s tech landscape, having started coding at an impressively young age. As the founder of iCog and its program, Anyone Can Code, she aims to empower the next generation with critical tech skills from a young age.
Her innovative projects include using AI to tackle national issues like optimizing agricultural practices through data-driven recommendations. Recognizing challenges in accessibility, she initiated Digitruck, a solar-powered mobile training center to bring education to remote locations, ensuring widespread tech literacy and opportunity.
Nelly Chatue Diop: CEO and Co-Founder of Ejara
Nelly Chatue Diop is addressing the pressing issue of financial exclusion in Francophone Africa through her company, Ejara. This mobile investment platform utilizes blockchain technology to enable users to maintain full control over their assets, fostering trust and democratizing access to financial services.
Ejara was conceived to empower users to manage their investments and savings directly, providing crucial financial tools and education that circumvent traditional, costly banking systems. Diop’s leadership in the tech landscape is further highlighted by her role as the President of the Cameroon Fintech Association.
Odunayo Eweniyi: Co-Founder and COO of PiggyVest
Odunayo Eweniyi, a computer engineering graduate, co-founded PiggyVest in 2016, evolving the traditional savings model into a digitized platform that automates saving and investment options for users across Africa. Her journey illustrates a blend of innovation and community impact, as PiggyVest has now become one of Nigeria’s leading savings platforms.
Beyond her operational role, Eweniyi is recognized on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list, and she actively participates in initiatives aimed at closing the gender funding gap in technology.
Cynthia Wandia: CEO and Co-Founder of Kwara
Cynthia Wandia, with her background in electrical engineering, founded Kwara in 2018 to revolutionize savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs). She aims to modernize these institutions by providing a secure cloud-based platform for managing operations and enhancing mobile banking services for their members.
With strategic partnerships, including a substantial agreement with the Kenya Confederation of Savings and Credit Cooperatives, Kwara has established itself as a pivotal player in the financial services sector, raising significant funding to support its mission of enhancing community-based finance.
