In recent years, the wave of female entrepreneurship in Africa has gained momentum, with women from diverse backgrounds leveraging technology to innovate solutions for pressing societal issues. From healthcare to education, these leaders are not only carving out spaces for themselves in the tech landscape but also contributing to economic growth and development in their communities. Their resilience and creativity drive a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable tech ecosystem where women’s voices are increasingly being heard and valued.
Moreover, the support networks for these women are expanding as organisations and investors recognise the importance of gender diversity in entrepreneurship. Mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and collaborative platforms are emerging to empower female founders to scale their ventures. As these women continue to break barriers and set new standards, they inspire the next generation of female innovators to pursue their dreams and contribute to a transformative movement that can reshape the African continent and the global marketplace. This article highlights six female-founded startup brands and their impact on the continent.
#1. VunaPay
VunaPay was founded by Judy Njogu-Mokaya. It’s an agritech startup transforming small-scale farming in Kenya. Established in 2023, VunaPay enables farmers to receive instant payments for their produce, enhancing financial stability and streamlining produce management for cooperatives. The platform ensures a Transparent payout to farmers to allow fair compensation for their produce. This initiative makes farming a sustainable career for young people and reduces exploitation within the agricultural sector. So far, the platform has registered over 20,000 farmers and facilitated approximately KES 70 million in payments.
Additionally, VunaPay has onboarded 30 cooperatives across key value chains, including coffee, maise, and dairy, with an additional 100,000 farmers on the waitlist.
#2. Maven Clinic
Kate Ryder founded Maven Clinic, the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health. Since 2014, Maven has offered comprehensive telehealth services for maternity, postpartum care, fertility, and parenting support. With a presence in over 175 countries, Maven is transforming healthcare access and outcomes for women and families globally. Maven has partnered with over 2,000 employers and health plans, extending its services to millions of employees worldwide.
#3. AkiraChix
Judith Owigar founded AkiraChix, a Nairobi-based non-profit organisation that equips African women and girls with technology skills. Since its inception in 2010, AkiraChix has trained thousands of women in coding, robotics, and entrepreneurship. Over 70% of AkiraChix graduates secured jobs within 60 days of graduation, earning an average salary of $512 per month. This platform has significantly increased female representation in technology, inspiring the next generation of tech enthusiasts.
#4. FreshSource
Farah Emara and Omar Emara co-founded FreshSource in 2019, an agritech platform transforming Egypt’s agricultural value chain. FreshSource connects farmers with retailers, reducing food waste and ensuring fair prices for farmers. The platform also focuses on sustainable farming practices, empowering small-scale farmers and improving regional food security. It has decreased food loss rates from an average of 45% to just 5% for its users.
#5. Healthtracka
Ifeoluwa Dare Johnson founded Healthtracka in 2021, a Nigerian health-tech platform providing at-home diagnostic testing services. The startup ensures that individuals can access convenient and affordable medical testing, bridging gaps in healthcare delivery in Africa and beyond. Healthtracka is enhancing early diagnosis and preventive healthcare.
#6. Akiba Digital
Akiba Digital is a fintech startup co-founded by Tebogo Mokwena and Kamogelo Kekana. The platform leverages artificial intelligence and data analytics to democratise access to financial opportunities in South Africa. They aim to make credit more accessible to individuals and small businesses previously excluded by traditional credit bureaus, including those who are unbanked or underbanked. By aggregating data, Akiba Digital helps financial institutions create unique client profiles, enhancing decision-making processes and facilitating better access to financial services.
These startups are catalysts for change. As more African women venture into entrepreneurship, they continue to drive solutions that empower communities and reshape industries.
