The Gender Gap Holding Back Africa’s Digital transformation?
Africa is undergoing a digital transformation, with rapid advancements in mobile connectivity, fintech, AI, and emerging technologies reshaping industries and daily life. The continent’s digital economy holds immense potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster innovation.
Despite this, one fundamental truth remains: there is no true digital transformation without true digital inclusion. Women, who make up half of Africa’s population, remain disproportionately excluded from the digital revolution. The gender gap in digital access, leadership, and entrepreneurship persists, limiting opportunities for millions of women and, in turn, stalling Africa’s full economic potential.
In line with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme—Accelerate Action—it’s time to move beyond lip service and towards real, measurable impact. This is not just a question of whether Africa can afford to include women in its digital future. It’s a question of whether we can afford not to. Without bold action to close the gender gap now, Africa risks slowing its digital progress, missing out on groundbreaking innovations, and widening socio-economic inequalities.
The Gender Gap in Africa’s Digital Landscape
Africa’s digital transformation holds immense potential, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in access, leadership, and entrepreneurship. These gaps are more than just inequalities—they are economic roadblocks that cost the continent billions and limit growth.
Women in Sub-Saharan Africa are 19% less likely than men to use mobile internet, leaving 200 million women offline. While mobile money has driven financial inclusion, the gender gap remains stark—a 46% gap in Nigeria alone. This exclusion is not just an inconvenience; it’s a setback to economic empowerment. According to UN Women and GDIP, closing the digital divide could lift 340 million women out of poverty and inject $15 billion annually into SSA’s GDP. Yet, without urgent action, millions of women will continue to be locked out of opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Even within the tech industry, progress remains slow. Women still make up just 27.1% of Africa’s STEM workforce, with even lower representation in fields like big data, programming, and cybersecurity. While online learning has provided some opportunities, systemic barriers—including gender bias and limited access to mentorship—continue to block women from advancing into leadership roles. The digital economy cannot thrive when half the population is missing from the conversation.
The gender gap is perhaps most glaring in entrepreneurship and startup funding. In 2024, female-led startups raised just $48 million, a fraction of the $2.2 billion secured by male-led startups (Africa: The Big Deal, 2024). A staggering 99% of all funding went to startups with at least one male founder, leaving women entrepreneurs with just 6.5% of total investment. Instead of narrowing, the funding gap is widening, making it increasingly difficult for female founders to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s tech-driven economy.
The Cost of Leaving Women Behind is Far too Great to Ignore
Excluding women from the digital economy doesn’t just widen gender inequality—it stifles innovation, limits economic growth, and holds back the entire continent. Studies show that bridging the gender digital divide could inject billions into Africa’s GDP, yet women continue to face significant barriers to accessing technology, leadership opportunities, and funding.
Beyond the numbers, excluding women means missing out on the unique perspectives they bring to tech innovation. Women-led solutions have the potential to address pressing societal challenges, from financial inclusion to healthcare and education. Yet, without equal access to opportunities, Africa risks losing out on groundbreaking innovations that could drive inclusive progress. The more these gaps persist, the wider economic and social inequalities become, reinforcing cycles of exclusion that are difficult to break.
Several factors continue to hold women back. Deep-rooted cultural biases often limit their participation in tech fields, while the lack of mentorship and workplace discrimination make career advancement even harder. On a policy level, both governments and the private sector have yet to implement sufficient measures to support women in tech and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, access to funding remains a major challenge—female-led startups receive only a fraction of venture capital compared to their male counterparts, making it nearly impossible for many women to scale their businesses.
Without bold intervention, these structural barriers will only deepen, further excluding women from Africa’s digital revolution. The cost of inaction is simply too high. It’s time to move beyond small steps and implement real, systemic change that ensures women are not just included but fully empowered in Africa’s digital future.
Accelerating Action: What Must Change?
Meaningful change requires a multi-faceted approach, from increasing access to technology to ensuring women have the resources and support needed to thrive in the digital economy.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Closing the gender gap starts with ensuring women have affordable internet access and the digital skills to thrive. Many women remain offline due to high data costs, lack of infrastructure, and limited digital literacy. Expanding digital literacy programs tailored to women and investing in last-mile connectivity can help bridge this divide. Governments, telecom providers, and organizations must prioritize policies and initiatives that make digital access a reality for all.
Funding & Investment for Women Entrepreneurs
Despite their potential, female-led startups struggle to access funding, receiving only a tiny fraction of venture capital compared to male-led businesses. This financial disparity stifles innovation and economic growth. To accelerate change, investors must actively support women-focused VC funds, grants, and incubators. Financial institutions and policymakers should also introduce funding mechanisms that make capital more accessible to women entrepreneurs.
Education & Upskilling in STEM
Encouraging more girls and women to pursue STEM education and coding programs is critical for long-term gender equality in tech. Early exposure to digital skills can shift career trajectories, opening doors to high-paying roles in programming, AI, and cybersecurity. Governments and private sector players should invest in scholarships, boot camps, and mentorship programs to equip more women with future-ready skills.
Increasing Female Leadership & Representation
Women remain underrepresented in tech leadership and decision-making roles. To break this cycle, companies must implement mentorship programs, executive training, and workplace policies that actively support women’s advancement. Representation at the top will create a ripple effect, inspiring more young women to enter and excel in the tech industry.
Strengthening Policy & Advocacy
Gender equality in digital spaces requires stronger legal frameworks and policies that enforce inclusivity. Governments must move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures such as anti-discrimination laws, diversity incentives, and corporate accountability frameworks. Policies that mandate equal pay, parental support, and gender-responsive investment strategies will ensure lasting change.
The Future is Female—and Digital
To top it all, we believe that accelerating action to close Africa’s gender digital divide is not just the responsibility of governments, investors, or the private sector—it’s a collective mission. Every stakeholder, from policymakers to tech companies, from educators to everyday individuals, has a role to play in ensuring women are not left behind in Africa’s digital revolution.
A truly inclusive digital economy is one where women are not just participants but leaders, innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future. The cost of inaction is too high—economically, socially, and technologically. If Africa is to reach its full potential, it cannot afford to sideline half its population.
But beyond policies and funding, the real question is: What are you doing in your own space to accelerate action? Whether it’s mentoring a young girl in tech, supporting female entrepreneurs, advocating for inclusive policies, or challenging gender biases in the workplace—everyone has a part to play.
We also recognize and celebrate every woman making strides in the digital space—whether in leadership, policy, innovation, or grassroots efforts. Your contributions are shaping the future of Africa’s tech landscape. From all of us at TechAfrica News, we wish you a Happy International Women’s Day! Keep breaking barriers, keep pushing forward—the digital future is yours.
