Africa’s Female Fintech Leaders Changing the Game
Africa’s tech and fintech landscape is evolving and women are leading the charge. For decades, the continent’s tech sector was dominated by men. Boardrooms, startup floors, and decision-making tables were overwhelmingly male, often underpinned by cultural norms that positioned men as leaders and women as supporters. According to the African Development Bank’s 2023 Gender Index, many African societies historically limited women’s access to leadership roles.
Similarly, McKinsey’s 2022 report on Women in the Workplace highlights that the perception of tech and fintech as “male fields” created systemic barriers for women. Yet, despite these challenges, change is underway. Driven by ambition, persistence, and ingenuity, women across Africa are now redefining what leadership in tech looks like.
The Rise of Women in African Tech
Over the past decade, women have increasingly refused to remain on the sidelines. They have challenged stereotypes, confronted systemic obstacles, and created opportunities where few existed. Today, thousands of women are leading startups, building innovative products, and reshaping Africa’s fintech and tech sectors. Data from Disrupt Africa’s 2024 report confirms that more women are now CEOs and co-founders of tech startups than ever before a testament to resilience, vision, and determination.
In honour of these trailblazers, Techtrends Africa highlights three women whose contributions are shaping the future of African tech.
1. Odunayo Eweniyi – Transforming Savings and Gender Equity
Odunayo Eweniyi is a powerhouse in African fintech. As the Co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, she has transformed the way millions of Africans save and invest. Beyond her fintech work, Odunayo co-founded The Feminist Coalition, advocating for gender equality and social change, and First Check Africa, a fund supporting women-led startups across the continent.
Her achievements have earned global recognition, including Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, Quartz Africa Innovators, TIME100 Next, and the Forbes Africa Technology & Innovation Award.
2. Angela Semwogerere – Inspiring Women to Code
A leading voice in Uganda’s tech ecosystem, Angela Semwogerere serves as General Manager of Spidd Africa Ltd, a top digital solutions company. She is also the founder of Coding in Heels, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering girls and women to embrace technology and digital literacy.
Angela’s journey into tech began with a passion for entrepreneurship and mentorship. Today, her advocacy, training programs, and leadership continue to break barriers for women in STEM, inspiring the next generation of African tech innovators.
3. Ada Nduka Oyom – Building a Network for Women in Tech
Ada Nduka has become a driving force in Africa’s tech community. She is the founder of She Code Africa, a nonprofit that trains, mentors, and connects young women with the skills and confidence to thrive in tech. Ada also co-founded Open Source Community Africa, which promotes African developers’ participation in global open-source projects.
Professionally, Ada has worked in Developer Relations at Interswitch and hosts a podcast for forLoop Africa, exploring technology trends and developer stories. Through her initiatives, Ada has created opportunities for thousands of women and young developers, proving that vision combined with persistence can transform Africa’s tech landscape.
Women Leading Africa’s Tech Future
Odunayo, Angela, and Ada are emblematic of a broader shift in African tech. They did not wait for permission, they created opportunities, challenged stereotypes, and proved that women have a seat at every table where the future of technology is being shaped. Their leadership underscores an essential truth: Africa’s tech sector is no longer a man’s world. Women are leading, innovating, and redefining what’s possible. And this is just the beginning.
Written by Adegun Prosper
