AMAKA is excited to highlight 20 women who are revolutionising the tech world despite the obstacles faced on the African continent. These technological pioneers are creating more opportunities for women and using technology to provide solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing the continent, including solutions which address the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Below are 20 African women who have carved a niche for themselves in the tech space.

Dorcas Muthoni | CEO & Founder, OpeNworld Ltd. (Kenya)  

As one of the first female engineers in Kenya to work in the educational sector, Dorcas Muthoni has always been a trailblazer. At 24, she took a risk by starting her own software company, which paid off. Open World is an open-source software company that delivers web and cloud-based applications across the African continent to official bodies such as the African Union. 

More than just an innovator, Dorcas is pushing for the transformation of African societies by integrating technology into everyday life. She does this by encouraging, educating, and training the next generation of women through her organisation AfChix. Over the years, she has received several accolades, such as the World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology's Change Agent award. She has also been inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. 

Ethel Cofie | CEO & Founder, EDEL Technology Consulting (Ghana)   

Ethel Cofie sits on the board of several African companies, including Egotickets and AMOSS Holdings SA. So it is no surprise that she was named Africa's Most Influential Woman in Business and Government for ICT by CEO Global, one of the 5 Most Influential People in Tech, and she has also received IT Consulting Firm of the Year. Her company, EDEL Technology Consulting, aims to solve technical problems and provides IT consulting services such as software development, IT audit services, and business continuity plans. 

Using her influence, she founded Women in Tech Africa to stimulate the emergence of more women into the tech industry. With chapters across the continent, it has significantly impacted women and the tech industry, as global reports revealed tremendous growth in the tech industry with more female inclusion. Cofie also writes opinion pieces for CNN.

Clarisse Iribagiza | CEO & Co-Founder, DMM.HeHe (formerly HeHe Labs) (Rwanda)  

Clarisse Iribagiza grew up in a typical African home, which meant she was constantly under pressure to succeed. One could argue that this fuelled her to start her own software development company at 22 while still earning her degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Rwanda. However, an advanced incubation program by MIT enabled her to paint her digital canvas, where she quickly sought to put her new-found knowledge into practice. 

Now a leading technology company, DMM.HeHe allows businesses and organisations to reach their markets and audiences using an easy and affordable platform. Embedded with a drive for success, Iribagazia has won in events such as Inspire Africa and the Transform Africa Summit and received monetary funds. She is also a member of the Presidential Youth Advisory Group at the African Development Bank.

Geraldine Geraldo | CEO & Founder, Roque Online (Angola)  

In the wake of the pandemic, Geraldine Geraldo saw an opportunity for her digital company to support small businesses when they needed it most. Having worked at Chevron, an oil and natural gas company, for ten years as a lawyer, her knowledge and experience have equipped her with the tools to run her own company. Inspired by the open-air market, Roque Santerio, her company, Roque Online, offers back-office support, logistics, inventory and demand planning, and e-commerce channels to informal markets to help them source and sell products. Her company's primary goal is to assist local vendors in the global commodities market. She is also the founder of two other companies, GDC Energy which deals with oil and gas and GQM Advisors, which provides asset commercialisation and legislative advisory services.

Ebi Atwodi | Director of Payments for Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, Netflix (Nigeria)  

Atwodi has come a long way, from DJing at Nottingham University to working at Uber and Etisalat. Today, she sits as a director for one of Netflix's most prominent regions. Atwodi revolutionised digital payments in Africa during her time at Uber. She helped develop an API that allows people to use diverse payments to pay for their Uber trips, from mobile wallets to M-PESA. Beyond her technical contributions, she has also proven to be a cultural savant. 

While at Etisalat, she established programs that would later benefit Nigeria, Africa and all Etisalat users. These include the Etisalat Prize for Literature ( one of Africa's most prestigious literary prizes), the Etisalat Photography Competition, and Cloudnine, a service that allows people to stream music on their devices.

Gércia Sequeira | CEO & Founder Instituto de Tecnologias, Inovação e Serviços (ITIS) (Mozambique)  

Mozambique's lack of technological advancements motivated Gércia Sequeira to start a company connecting organisations and people to improve their internal processes using locally-based technology solutions. With a degree in Tourism, this was not an easy task. 

However, during the early stages of her career, she identified critical issues that she believed she could solve. This drive prompted her to start her company, Inovação e Serviços (ITIS). The firm has developed technology that simulates management and finance processes, which several public institutions use within the country. Her company was distinguished with SME Innovation Award in 2014, and in 2015 it became the first Mozambican SME Partner of "Mozambique's Top 100 SME". 

Samrawit Fikru | CEO, Hybrid Designs (Ethiopia)  

The first time Samrawit Fikru saw a computer was at age 17. With a growing love for coding, she started her company at 21. Six years later, with only $2000, she launched an app that would create a shift in transport services and improve life in Ethiopia; RIDE. The app function drew semblance to the global transport service, Uber and was inspired by her own transport difficulties. RIDE is the star app of her software development company. It is mostly operated by women, which counters a traditionally male-dominated service industry. AMAKA is curious to see her expand the company's success beyond the Ethiopian borders. 

Brenda Katwesigye | CEO & Co-Founder, Wazi Visions (Uganda)

The intersection between technology and eyewear seems like a far-fetched idea sketched in a science fiction film or comic. However, in the heart of Uganda, Brenda Katwesigye has turned this into a reality. Supported by the United States Africa Development Foundation (USADF) and Greentec Capital Partners, her company, Wazi Visions, aims to provide quality eye care in Uganda. 

It achieves this through its mobile kit that uses virtual reality (VR) technology to facilitate access to affordable essential eye testing services and products. In addition, Wazi Vision which is revolutionary and sustainable, allows women to develop skills in all sectors within the corporation. Brenda is an alumnus of Vodafone's FLANE program, a Westerwelle Foundation and Mandela Washington Fellow and sits on several boards.

Faraja Nyalandu | CEO & Co-Founder, Shule Direct (Tanzania)

The former Miss Tanzania has made a mark in the tech world through her contributions to e-learning in Tanzania. Shule Direct produces digital educational content for the youth. Faraja Nyalandu was a law student who had to balance marriage and motherhood. She was compelled to develop a platform that could serve as a vital resource for learning by providing quality content that reaches the depths of rural areas, particularly for young girls faced with additional obstacles due to their gender. 

Amid a global crisis and a lack of infrastructure within the country, her platform served as a tool to support the educational system in Tanzania. As a result, Nyalandu was named among 115 influential people under 40 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Having spoken at several international stages beyond engaging in conversations about Africa, she uses these opportunities to catalyse investment for African projects in technology. 

Crescence Elodie | Founder, EN Group & Snugging, (Cameroon)

Crescence Elodie founded two tech companies and was named by Tropics Magazine as one of the 2020 top 500 #AfricanDoers. Her goals have always been centred around helping others. The innovative entrepreneur founded EN Group, a platform focused on digital and community development through technology and entrepreneurship. 

She also established a second company, Snugging, an online platform that supports small businesses. The young entrepreneur has been building a name for herself in Cameroon and continues to push herself even further. The TechWomen fellow founded Women in Entrepreneurship and Technology (WETECH), an organisation dedicated to supporting African girls and women entrepreneurs through leadership programs, digital entrepreneurship boot camps and capacity-building training.

Aminata Kane | CEO, Orange Sierra Leone (Senegal)

Aminata Kane began developing her problem-solving skills at HEC Paris and then honed these skills at MIT, where she earned her MBA. A woman of many firsts, she is the youngest and the first woman CEO to occupy the position in the telecom company, Orange Sierra Leone, and one of the few in Africa. Orange Sierra Leone is a branch of Orange S. A, a French multinational telecommunications corporation. Using her influence as CEO of the telecommunications company, she campaigned for more gender equality within the company; consequently, half of the executive committee members are women. She also managed to secure a majority market share and expanded the company's activities, making life in Sierra Leone easier. The amalgamation of these achievements caught the attention of AfricaCom, which named her Africa's CEO of the Year.

Rachel Sibande | Founder mHub (Malawi)

With a knack for science at a young age, the self-described geek founded the first technology and innovation hub, mHub. Being selected for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in Chicago proved a turning point for Rachel Sibande, as she was inspired to emulate those ideas back home. Without capital or relevant experience, she ambitiously registered her hub. 

Today, it develops innovative technology solutions and serves as an incubator for tech startups encouraging entrepreneurial ideas. She also offers digital training for the youth through her program mHub trust, with a particular focus on young girls, and it has mentored thousands of people across the country. She is now acting Senior Director, Country Outreach at the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) at the United Nations Foundation. Forbes has listed Sibande as one of Africa's 30 under 30 entrepreneurs, and she is also a Google Scholar and NEF Ambassador.

Zikho Pali | Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Quro Medical (South Africa) 

As a Harvard Law Graduate, Zikho Pali has earned several academic achievements, which have translated into her professional life. At 25, she became the youngest serving board member of the largest hospital in South Africa. She also worked at the most reputable law firms in the country. 

Her hard work was powered by her family's struggle to pay for her education. Urged by the need to innovate the healthcare industry in South Africa, she is now revolutionising the health industry at Quro Medical. The company provides premium hospital-at-home services and healthcare solutions accessible to Southern Africa. In a time when South Africa lacks beds, like many countries worldwide, the company's cutting-edge technology and services are more vital than ever. Pali is driven by her desire to make a difference, and AMAKA believes she is doing just that.

Catherine Mahugu | Founder of Soko, Wazidata and Chiswara (Kenya)

Currently based in the US, Catherine Mahugu is one tech guru to watch. With several mentions by BBC, Forbes, Forbes Africa, and Vanity Fair, among others, she has made her mark not only on the continent but worldwide. Her most recent project has been Chiswara, an agri-tech and online platform that offers an equitable experience for farmers and consumers. 

However, she has founded two other companies, namely, Wazidata, which solves intricate and complex challenges with a focus on design and Soko an ethical fashion brand that promotes economic opportunities for artisans with the aid of technology. She has spoken at some of the most prominent stages in the world and shows no signs of slowing down. AMAKA is eager to witness her next conquest.

Samira Negm | CEO at Raye7 (Egypt)

Raye7 is a carpooling service created to solve the traffic crisis in Egypt. While developing the service, Samira Negm was also conscious about creating something that would be mindful of the culture in the country; many women in Egypt are subject to sexual harassment in environments such as public transport. 

As a result, her app garnered Cartier's attention, earning her a nomination for the Cartier Women's Initiative Award. In addition, she was awarded the world's second-best mobile startup at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Samira Negm faced many challenges while trying to secure a career in tech due to her gender. However, she attributes part of her success to her supportive family, who encouraged and respected her ambitions. Now, Negm plans to expand the app to developing countries that also need a safe and culturally-sensitive transport service. 

Tomilola Adejana | CEO & Co-Founder, Bankly (Nigeria)

Tomilola Adejana is leaving her mark on financial institutions with Bankly, which has received $2 million in seed funding.  Bankly aids in the digitisation of cash and growing income in a safe and simple environment. Her acquired skills in financial technology enabled her to identify the challenges faced in Nigeria's informal banking system, mainly the lack of protection of its stakeholders. Bankly provides a digitally inclusive platform. 

Adejana company's services are particularly beneficial for women who are still financially oppressed and disenfranchised. She believes that financial independence can protect women from domestic violence. The techpreneur is currently a finalist for the Cartier Women's Initiative. She aims to alleviate poverty and promote gender equality and dignified work through her services. She has also developed other projects like SmartCredit and Waly.co.

Regina Honu | CEO & Founder, Soronko Solutions (Ghana) 

Regina Honu wanted to become a medical doctor, but her infatuation drew her to another path. After completing her studies, she was an invaluable member in developing ICT and e-banking at two banks. These experiences prompted a young Honu to start her own consulting company, Soronko Solutions. The software enables small and medium-scale enterprises to create visibility and help their business grow with the assistance of technology. Turning the youth from consumers to creators, Honu successfully opened the first coding and human-centred design school for children and young adults. Soronko Academy in Accra partnered with the Mastercard Foundation. BBC, CNN and Coca-Cola have recognised her work. She has received several awards, like the Startup Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ghana Startup Awards. She has also been a speaker at the UNESCO headquarters, among many international platforms.

Tania Mukwamu | Co-Founder at MaxiCash, (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Based in DRC and South Africa, Tania Mukwamu's company, MaxiCash, serves as a virtual app that allows users to send money to recipients in DRC and South Africa. This app is handy for expatriates who want to send money back home. Recognising the power technology possesses, Tania Mukwamu believed that it could be the most influential force for economic growth within the company, and this fueled her passion for programming, enabling her to help the African community. Her experience with the failure of her online shop helped her understand how to provide services in DRC in a way that would be accessible to the masses. Since internet access was considered a luxury, she developed an app that would not need internet access. She identifies herself as a natural-born leader.

Imene Henni Mansour | CEO & Co-Founder, InnoCom (Algeria)

By founding the first computer science club in her city, Imene Henni Mansour wanted to create a space for her love of the field. This desire was the first step in her journey of creating her digital footprint in Algeria. Mansour continued to challenge the idea of what a woman could do in the country by entering male-dominated industries and motivated other women to learn about science and technology. Her project Mecaniciana inspired women to work on teaching programs. Today, she runs her own communications agency, InnoCom. Her work has not gone unnoticed, she has been named as a young leader for several programs, including by the Swedish Institute and TechWomen, and she has been honoured by Prince Charles. These achievements show that Mansour is clearly on the right track.

Nafissatou Tine | CEO & Founder, Sunulex (Senegal)

 African Diaspora Entrepreneurship Award recipient, Nafissatou Tine, created Sunulex as a resource for legal information and justice in Africa. It offers reliable information for Francophone countries that is easily accessible to legal professionals, large companies and SMEs linked to the African continent. She studied in Europe with three master's degrees in law but later relocated to her home country, Senegal. During her stay in Senegal, she realised there was a lack of legal information online. So, while participating in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in the US, she spent that time cementing her skills which enabled her to launch her company. At present, the platform is advocating for the dissemination of legal knowledge.