It was a momentous gathering of over 5000 female business owners drawn from 58 countries who converged on Abuja to discuss how they can become major players in the 5 trillion global green economy.

ImpactHER Africa is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering female business owners.

The gathering was the 2nd edition of the Global African Women Sustainability Conference with the theme: Rethink, Reinvest, Regenerate: Women Entrepreneurs As Architects of Global Africa’s Sustainable Future which had in attendance over 10 African ministers, 20 African governments, US mayoral leadership, Latin America government representation, Caribbean government delegations, The African Development Bank, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the African Export-Import Bank.

According to Efe Ukala, founder, ImpactHER Africa, the global green economy is now worth more than 5 trillion dollars a year and is on track to reach 7 trillion by 2030 and it is growing twice as fast as conventional industries.

The global African women who already farm regeneratively, building with waste, weaving with eco-dyes and powering villages with the sun should be a part of the market and not outside it.

“Consumers around the world are now willing to pay nearly 10 percent more for sustainably produced goods.

The premium is real and that tells us there is a market. Furthermore, an estimated 70% percent of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women. This brings us to the question- why are our women stuck in the informal economy?”, she mentioned.

Ukala noted that “Certifications” have posed a barrier to African women involvement in global trade.

“The UN Women itself names the barrier: limited capacity to comply with regulatory requirements, with safety standards, with quality standards. Our women have the products. They do not have the paperwork. They have the practice- They do not have the proof.

They have the sustainability- they do not have the certificate that lets the world see it. This is the gap that the sustainability conference is seeking to close. One of the sessions in this conference extensively dealt with ‘Sustainable Business Foundations’, certifications, standard and start-up rules. Our women deserve an ISO certification, an export licence and a global buyer for her products”, she explains.

The Ministers from Nigeria, Chad, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, Zambia, Gabon who were active participants in the conference all pledged to strengthen access to female entrepreneurs in their various countries as they hold the golden torch to Africa’s collective success.

Globally, women make up 14% of tech leaders, and this figure rises slightly to 20% in Africa. Nonetheless, there are individuals sleeplessly fighting to ensure inclusion, and women in tech whose vision, innovation, and hardwork are changing what has been for so long.

These fighters—women who achieved a lot in 2024, are joining the likes of Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, Adaora Nwodo, Honey Ogundeyi, Ruth Iselema and many others to tackle local and global challenges, while driving resilience in their respective fields. 

Some of these women in tech to watch in 2025 include:

1. Fara Ashiru Jituboh

As the co-founder and CEO of Okra, Fara Ashiru Jituboh has helped build solutions to enhance Nigeria’s financial technology sector. In 2024, she was recognised as one of Bridge Africa Technologies’ Most Influential Women in Tech in Nigeria. 

This accolade came in the same year that saw her company launch Nebula, a cloud service specifically built for African businesses.

Nebula is a movement towards self-sufficiency in the tech industry, addressing the challenges of foreign exchange rates by allowing payments in local currencies like the naira. With its secure, scalable infrastructure and compliance with African data regulations, the platform has become a very important tool for businesses seeking cost-effective cloud solutions. 

With the introduction of Nebula, Okra has strengthened the local cloud computing market and is continually working to provide locally-targeted tech solutions.

Jituboh’s vision for Okra has always been to bridge the gap between technology and financial inclusion. Since its inception, the company has partnered with over 100 organisations, including major banks and enterprises, offering tools that enable businesses to achieve full digital transformation. 

Her impact on the company has helped secure over $4.5 million in funding from top-tier global investors and made financial data more accessible, directly addressing the challenges of financial inclusion in Nigeria.

[LinkedIn Page]

2. Bukola Ajayi

With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, Bukola Ajayi is a disruptive mind in technology and business management. Currently serving as the General Manager of Architecture and Engineering at MTN Nigeria, she has played a huge role in enhancing the company’s network infrastructure and operations.

In 2024, Ajayi was at the fore of MTN Nigeria’s Agile transformation initiative, M-Agile. This multi-functional framework incorporated methodologies like Lean, Kanban, and Scrum, leading to a 40% reduction in turnaround time, a 25% cost savings, and a 50% increase in project deliveries. 

Her ability to blend technical expertise with strategic planning has consistently driven operational success within the organisation.

Ajayi was a key speaker at the International Project Management Day 2024, hosted by MTN Nigeria, where she highlighted the role of project managers in driving innovation and delivering dynamic solutions. Her contributions to MTN’s initiatives have endured efficiency and effectiveness in the telecommunications sector, making her one of the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

3. Efe Ukala

As the founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala has dedicated her career to empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa. Her works were recognised in 2024 when she was honoured in Involve People’s Heroes Role Model list, celebrating her leadership and focus on women’s inclusion in the tech industry.

Under Ukala’s leadership, ImpactHER has supported over 130,000 women-led businesses across 53 African countries. In 2024, the organisation completed three cohorts of intensive learning programmes, training female entrepreneurs with digital skills to grow their enterprises. 

Ukala’s advocacy for digital inclusion also saw her addressing the African Union, where she emphasised the importance of technology access and Startup Acts for women-led SMEs.

Ukala’s professional journey as an investment attorney and her tenure at organisations like J.P. Morgan Chase and Kuramo Capital Management has prepared her for a unique perspective on cross-border investments and compliance. Her ability to merge her legal expertise with her passion for gender equity has made ImpactHER a top organisation in driving economic empowerment for African women. These and more have placed her among the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

4. Chisom Nwokwu

Chisom Nwokwu, a Software Engineer specializing in Big Data, had an extraordinary year in 2024, achieving milestones that set her apart in the tech industry. Her team’s work in sustainable technology was spotlighted in Microsoft’s 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing their contribution to eco-friendly innovations. 

Again, her influence within the tech community was recognised globally when she was named a finalist for the Rising Star of the Year and the WomenTech Community Award at the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025.

Beyond engineering, Chisom authored A Techie’s Guide into Big Tech Companies, a must-read for aspiring software engineers aiming for roles in top international firms. Her digital presence, with over 140,000 followers across platforms, became a hub for tech insights, career advice, and job opportunities. She was also invited to over 40 tech events worldwide, speaking on topics such as data engineering, artificial intelligence, and gender inclusion in tech.

Chisom’s relatable content, shared via her growing YouTube channel and other platforms, coupled with her passion for lifting others, has placed her among the top women in tech doing great work. With her community-centric approach and technical expertise, she is undoubtedly one to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

5. Chioma Ekeh

Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, the CEO of TD Africa, stands as a towering figure in technology distribution across Africa. In 2024, she continued to ensure initiatives that empowered women and young girls through programs like The Herwakening and Girls in ICT, promoting inclusivity in STEM fields. 

Under her leadership, TD Africa’s training program, TDAcademy, built participants with essential tech skills, reiterating her seamless focus on talent development.

Chioma’s journey from being one of the first Nigerian women to pursue a Mathematics degree in India to becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants in the UK is totally inspiring. She co-founded the Zinox Group alongside her husband, Leo Stan Ekeh. Together, they built a tech empire, with TD Africa as a leader in ICT distribution, representing global brands like HP, Microsoft, and Cisco.

Her exceptional memory, analytical skills, and unrelenting drive for greatness have made her an icon in the Nigerian technology space. In 2024, she also celebrated TD Africa’s annual Celebrating You event, the biggest year-end tech gathering in Nigeria, and continued to mentor female entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.

[LinkedIn Page]

6. Dr. Success Ojo

Dr. Success Ojo, co-founder and CEO of GMind AI, boosted artificial intelligence accessibility in 2024. Her platform, GMind AI 2.0, earned the Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning award at the Art of Technology Awards in Lagos. 

This accolade emphasised GMind AI’s impact on education, research, and business with innovative features like multilingual capabilities and Prompt Assist, designed to make AI user-friendly for diverse audiences.

Dr Ojo’s mission to enhance the use of AI has seen GMind AI bridge the “AI divide,” providing tools that empower teachers, creatives, and small businesses. With a focus on local language support and cost-effective solutions, she ensured the platform’s relevance across Nigeria and Africa. In 2024 alone, over 50,000 individuals benefited from GMind AI’s free training initiatives, and the company is on track to reach 100,000 by mid-2025.

Her work shows a commitment to leveraging AI for societal good, addressing challenges, and facilitating digital transformation. Recognised as one of our top women in tech to watch in 2025, Dr Ojo’s zeal to simplify AI adoption makes her a commendable leader in the industry.

[LinkedIn Page]

7. Adanne Anene

Adanne Anene’s career shows her exceptional intelligence in product management and her ability to drive changes within the fintech industry. With over a decade of experience, Adanne has held leadership roles at organizations, including Branch International, VFD Tech Limited, and United Bank for Africa (UBA). 

Her work, particularly in mobile banking and digital solutions, has changed the way financial products are designed and delivered, making them more accessible and user-centric.

In 2024, Adanne’s proficiency in product strategy and team leadership earned her recognition as a thought leader in the fintech sector. She has successfully designed products that balance practicality with innovation, ensuring that financial tools are both secure and efficient. 

Notable among her achievements was the redesign of UBA’s mobile app, which resulted in a significant revenue boost and improved user experience. Within just six months, UBA’s mobile app revenue increased from ₦180 million to over ₦1 billion, pointing to the huge impact of Adanne’s leadership in product management.

Adanne has also become a mentor to aspiring product managers, particularly within the fintech space. She regularly shares her insights on strategic planning, offering valuable advice on how to balance vision with execution.

Again, Adanne’s work at Branch International, where she led the launch of a digital wallet product in Kenya, was another huge achievement. This project transformed Branch into a full digital bank, enhancing financial inclusion and providing users with a comprehensive financial solution. 

As a product management professional, Adanne continues to ensure user-centred design, leveraging data and feedback to create products that align with real-world needs. With her vision and expertise, Adanne is among our top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

8. Iniobong Udoh

Iniobong Udoh is a name that stands out in the Nigerian tech space, not just for her personal achievements but for the impact she has made through her ventures.

As the founder of Tech Skills Hack (TSH), a non-profit organisation training Nigerians with digital skills, Udoh’s work embodies her vision to bridge the tech gap and ensure inclusion. 

Her journey from insurance to technology shows a person with resilience and determination to help individuals and small businesses, providing the tools they need to thrive.

In 2024, Udoh’s contributions received even more recognition, placing her as one of the top women in tech to watch in 2025. Under her leadership, TSH expanded its services, introducing personalised tech consultation sessions and launching its automated Tech Clarity Quiz, a tool designed to help individuals identify the best tech skills to pursue. 

The quiz, commended for its exceptional accuracy, became a game-changer for tech enthusiasts across Nigeria. By year-end, TSH had trained hundreds of individuals and SMEs on leveraging digital tools to enhance productivity and improve visibility, highly contributing to the growth of the tech sector in the country.

Udoh led multiple initiatives to demystify the misconception that tech is solely for coders, emphasising that digital skills such as graphic design, data analysis, and content creation are equally valuable. A certified Google Android Developer, UX Researcher, and Product Manager with over five years of experience, Udoh brought her expertise to bear in every facet of TSH’s operations. 

Beyond training individuals, she provided curated digital resources to bridge the skill gap between job seekers and employers, ensuring her mission to boost tech education was felt nationwide. This year, her team organised free offline training in Lagos and Uyo, in collaboration with international partners like Ghana’s iSpace and Akwa Ibom’s Directorate of Microfinance and Enterprise Development. 

Despite running TSH as a self-funded social enterprise, Udoh managed to achieve remarkable milestones in 2024. The platform, which operates primarily on free tools such as Facebook and Slack, served over 1,000 users, trained 257 students in underserved communities, and supported 30 SMEs by providing free logo and business card designs.

Her ability to sustain such impactful programs without external funding reiterates her resourcefulness and focus on social impact.

[LinkedIn Page]

9. Tinuade Oguntuyi

As an IT and Network Infrastructure leader, Tinuade Oguntuyi has done great in the technology sector, particularly in the design, deployment, and optimization of network solutions for over 30 telecom base stations across Nigeria. 

With more than 13 years of experience, Tinuade’s contributions have enhanced the infrastructure of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, expanding connectivity to numerous cities and states. Her leadership in these initiatives has helped in delivering high-quality solutions to clients in diverse industries such as government, education, finance, healthcare, and oil and gas.

In 2024, Tinuade received multiple awards, including recognition as one of the 100 Leading Telecoms & Digital Economy Personalities in Nigeria by ATCON. She was also shortlisted as the Female Innovator of the Year at the AfricaTech Festival and received accolades such as National Broadband Promoter at the Titan of Tech Awards.

Tinuade has also been an advocate for STEM inclusion, particularly for girls and women, working tirelessly to bridge the digital divide. Her role as co-chair of the Internet Society’s Nigeria Chapter’s Infrastructure, Access, and Connectivity working group has further strengthened her standing as a leader in the global tech community. 

Again, her public speaking engagements at platforms like the Nigeria E-Government Summit, Tech Convergence, and the Titan of Tech Conference have allowed her to share her expertise and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

Tinuade’s contributions in 2024, both in terms of her professional accomplishments and her impact on the tech community, have placed her among the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

10. Iwalola Sobowale

Iwalola Sobowale, the head of Customer Experience (CX) Research at Moniepoint Group, has helped drive growth and customer retention through the power of data and user-centred design. 

With a Master’s degree in International Business Management and an Executive Education in Business Strategy from INSEAD, Iwalola combines her academic knowledge with practical experience to develop innovative digital products that meet the needs of Moniepoint’s diverse customer base.

In 2024, Iwalola led initiatives to implement user-centric strategies that improved product design and also enhanced customer engagement. This focus on customer satisfaction has been key to Moniepoint’s success in the competitive fintech market. Her work in UX design, user research, and product lifecycle management has contributed to the development of impactful solutions that address real-world problems for millions of users.

In addition to her role at Moniepoint, Iwalola is also a dedicated advocate for women in technology. Through her Spotlight Podcast, she has created a platform where she engages with industry experts and thought leaders to explore the intersections of business, technology, and innovation. This podcast has allowed her to reach a wider audience and share insights on topics such as product strategy and user research, further establishing her as a thought leader in the tech community.

Iwalola has spoken at various events, including the Women Techsters Open Day, where she shared her journey and helped other women pursue careers in tech.

Iwalola’s combination of expertise in customer experience, product research, and mentorship places her among the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

11. Folake Owodunni

Folake Owodunni is an entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Emergency Response Africa (ERA), a healthcare technology company that is transforming emergency medical care in Nigeria and beyond. 

Her work in this space earned her the Global Aurora Tech Award in 2024, recognizing her tireless moves to improve emergency response times and save lives across the country.

ERA, under Folake’s leadership, has created a comprehensive system that integrates web and mobile applications, facilitating communication between first responders, hospitals, and command centres. This innovation has drastically reduced response times, ensuring individuals in medical emergencies receive timely care. 

ERA’s work has already gained attention, including a partnership with the Edo State government, aiming to improve public-sector emergency response and save lives in the region.

Beyond her technical achievements, Folake’s advocacy for healthcare innovation and mentorship has earned her accolades like the Rainer Arnhold Fellowship from the Mulago Foundation. Her passion for accessible healthcare stems from personal experiences and an early interest in improving healthcare systems in Africa. 

With a background in Global Health & Development and Business Entrepreneurship & Technology, Folake is dedicated to expanding ERA’s reach, working towards a future where emergency medical care is accessible to all Africans in less than 10 minutes.

Her pursuit of this mission, supported by strategic partnerships with both the public and private sectors, positions her as one of the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

12. Ruby Igwe

As Country General Manager of ALX; Ruby Igwe is doing lots of great work in Africa’s tech sector. Under her guidance, ALX has become a successful, ten-time award-winning organization, recognized globally for empowering young people with in-demand tech skills and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

In 2024, she impacted over 145,000 unskilled youths in Nigeria, with 40% of them being women, training them with tech and entrepreneurial skills. This earned her multiple accolades, including the prestigious AOT Social Innovation Award and the Gage EdTech Award.

A trained lawyer and two-time author, Ruby’s experience spans over a decade in operations, people management, and project management within the media, development, and edtech sectors. She has a top spot in corporate vision development and enabling innovation within organizations. In addition to her role at ALX, Ruby co-founded Archivi.ng, a nonprofit preserving Nigeria’s history through the digital documentation of newspapers.

Through ALX, Ruby has introduced flagship programs like AI Career Essentials, which provide learners with essential AI tools to excel professionally. Looking forward, Ruby aims to empower three million ethical leaders across Africa in the next five years, stamping her place among the top women in tech to watch in 2025.

[LinkedIn Page]

13. Dara Olayebi

Dara Olayebi’s journey into tech is one the world must know about. A Software Engineer at Spotify, Dara’s career spans various sectors, including finance, media, and social impact. 

With over six years of experience, Dara has transitioned from a Frontend Engineer in finance to a full-stack developer, contributing to the creation of services that allow internal teams at Spotify to efficiently access user account data. Her work combines technical skills with creative flair, focusing on developing user-centric products that promote community and connection.

One of Dara’s key contributions in 2024 was her active involvement in mentorship and advocacy for women in tech. Despite the constant gender gap in the industry, Dara has worked tirelessly to support young women entering the field. 

Through initiatives like Black Girls In Tech and CodeCollabs, she has mentored over 20 women, guiding everything from coding skills to interview preparation. Her works have empowered many young women to scale through the challenges of the tech world and secure roles in competitive industries.

Dara’s mentorship is driven by her own experience in the tech industry, having had no mentor. She recognizes the value of having someone to guide and support you and strives to be that mentor for others. Her involvement in community engagement, including her role as a Web Development Instructor at BrainStation, allows her to share her knowledge with a wide audience, further impacting the tech industry.

Dara’s ability to balance her full-time role at Spotify with her teaching and community engagements shows how much she values both personal growth and empowering others.

In 2025, Dara will continue making waves in the tech industry as her contributions to software engineering, mentorship, and community engagement will undoubtedly encourage many more women to pursue careers in tech and become great in the industry.

[LinkedIn Page]

This landmark event, organized by ImpactHER in partnership with the African Union and the United States Department of Commerce, will take place on December 11-12, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event is hosted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Under the theme, “Igniting Africa’s Green Revolution: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Sustainable Growth and Unlocking Access to Eco-Financing,” the conference aims to bridge the green financing gap, recognizing the pivotal role of women-led businesses in Africa’s economies and addressing the significant barriers they face in accessing eco-financing opportunities.

“This is more than a conference—it’s a turning point for Africa’s women entrepreneurs,” said Efe Ukala, founder of ImpactHER. “By uniting government leaders, global financiers, and visionary women entrepreneurs, we aim to unlock millions of dollars in eco-financing by 2026 and position women as the driving force of Africa’s sustainable future.”

Ministers from Chad, Liberia, Malawi, Benin, Zambia, Uganda, Cameroon, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Kenya will join representatives from leading financial institutions and the U.S. Department of Commerce to share insights on eco-financing and sustainability.

The two-day event will feature:

• Executive roundtables with government ministers and global investors
• Intensive workshops on green business certification and eco-financing
• A pitch competition for green business
• Interactive exhibitions showcasing successful sustainable business models

Strategic partners including ToolUP Foundation (an Emmanuel C. Ukala Foundation) and ARUWA Capital.

This was made known at the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration organized by ImpactHER, a foremost non-profit organization with a mandate for empowering African female entrepreneurs by bridging the gender business financing gap so as to help them realize their full economic potentials in partnership with the African Union, ToolUp, BRAVE Women, GIZ and Lotus Bank.

The training had in attendance over 400 female entrepreneurs.

In her remarks, Efe Ukala, founder, ImpactHER, urged the women to forge a strong bond of unity, pull resources together and serve as a torch bearer in their various business enterprises. She explained that ImpactHER is an inclusion platform that seeks to help female entrepreneurs become the best version of themselves.

She said:

“Inspiring inclusion is more than just a theme for International Women’s Day. It is a guiding light for us all, especially the vibrant community of African women entrepreneurs. It means creating spaces where every woman’s voice can echo with strength, where her ideas can flourish without boundaries and where her dreams are nurtured by the collective support of a community that sees no limit to what she can achieve. It means each of us committing to lift as we climb ensuring that our success is not a solitary journey but a shared voyage that paves the way for more women to step into their power”.

“For this training, we had a slot for 250 women, but today, we have over 400 women in attendance. These women came from all parts of Lagos, Ibadan, Ogun State and even Benin Republic to learn. This shows that women across Nigeria and even Africa, truly need platforms like this where they can learn, network and receive guidance for sustainable business progression.

“Generally, ImpactHER helps even the most marginalized women to get free resources that allows them to build a more structured and sustainable business. For example, we provide free business registration service, book keeping and accounting so that they can access the finance needed to build their businesses.

“All these, we believe will help foster inclusion to help bridge the gender gap. During the event, we organized a market place with over forty vendors to showcase and sell their items. We appreciate all our sponsors for making this event very successful”.

While delivering her training on the topic- Inspire Inclusion- Unlocking opportunities in exports and empowering African women to conquer the global market, Florence Okafor, Chief Trade Promotion Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council urged the women to invest in quality packaging, acquisition of international licences, have an excellent knowledge of the laws guiding imports in various countries and international trade terms.

Another facilitator, Olanrewaju Oniyitan, founder/CEO, W-Holistic Business Solutions who spoke on the topic Growing Wealth: Growing an investable company as a woman founder hinted that people, a wonderful business model, track record of business growth, financial viability, scalability and risk management are some of the pointers needed for female entrepreneurs to become successful in their business.

She said:

“I urge you women to have a rich portfolio of your work and be deliberate about ensuring that you seek the right information always. Regulatory compliance is also very important in accessing finance. You need to be conversant with the tax laws, PAYEE and many more. On a final note, I want you all to know that innovation doesn’t mean you have to go digital or online. Innovation means, you can look at your process, refine it, add something to your product to make it unique and different and you have already innovated. You do not need an app to innovate. Continuous research and development can set your business on the path of innovation”.

In a special message from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, who was represented by Brittany Orange, to the women, she lamented the low representation of women in the country’s political and economic space and urged the government to provide a level playing field for more women to be active in politics and business.