Across Africa, women-led startups are spearheading initiatives that empower other women by enhancing their skills for economic independence and innovation.
These entrepreneurial endeavors not only help bridge the gender divide but also promote sustainable growth in this ever-evolving sector.
Connecting Africa has curated a list of five notable women-led startups that are offering skills training to women throughout the continent.
1. ImpactHER (Nigeria)
Founded by Efe Ukala, ImpactHER is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs across Africa by offering comprehensive business training, digital skills workshops, and financial literacy programs.
The organization provides a range of services, including entrepreneurship training, digital marketing guidance, investor readiness programs, and advocacy for gender-sensitive policies.
ImpactHER conducts its training in over 50 countries, reaching women in rural and underserved communities across the African continent.
2. GirlCode (South Africa)
Founded in 2014 by Zandile Mkwanazi and Tinyiko Simbine, GirlCode is a nonprofit social enterprise aimed at empowering girls and women throughout Africa through technology.
Initially launched as an all-female hackathon, it has evolved into a continent-wide initiative offering programs in coding, digital literacy, and technology career development.
GirlCode aims to enhance women’s participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by providing education, mentorship, hackathons, and career readiness training.
The organization is actively working to eliminate the gender gap in the tech industry by removing barriers for women and girls, ensuring they receive meaningful access to economic opportunities through technology.
3. She Leads Africa (Nigeria)
Co-founded by Afua Osei and Yasmin Bello Osagie, She Leads Africa (SLA) serves as a pan-African platform dedicated to empowering young women across the continent.
The organization strives to help women build successful careers and ventures by providing community support, valuable content, and various opportunities.
The SLA initiative focuses on training and accelerating women-led businesses through mentorship, classes, pitch competitions, and accelerator programs.
4. Shule Direct (Tanzania)
Shule Direct, a Tanzanian nonprofit organization founded by Faraja Cotta, aims to enhance access to digital learning resources for students and teachers throughout Africa.
This initiative supports personal and professional development training, networking opportunities, and provides digital tools to facilitate the launch and growth of women-owned businesses.
Shule Direct works to improve educational access by tackling obstacles such as scarce learning materials, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate support for teachers, particularly in underserved areas.
5. Queen Moremi (Nigeria)
Founded by Moremi Elekwachi, Queen Moremi is set to provide free public relations training to 5,000 female small business founders in Nigeria by 2026.
This comprehensive initiative aims to equip women with essential skills in digital visibility, storytelling, and communication, which are crucial for thriving in a competitive market.
Through these offerings, Queen Moremi seeks to foster personal and professional growth for women, enabling them to flourish in their undertakings.
