Despite the incredible rise of African tech and the growing recognition of our entrepreneurs, a new report from Forbes Africa reveals a persistent challenge: female founders continue to face significant hurdles in accessing funding. Published today, January 15, 2026, the report highlights that only 5% of private capital-backed companies in Africa are female-founded, a statistic that demands our urgent attention and focused action. This isn’t a reflection of a lack of talent, but a systemic issue we must address to unlock the full potential of our continent’s innovation.
Key Details
The Forbes Africa report, released today, January 15, 2026, states that a mere 5% of companies receiving private capital backing across Africa have female founders. The report also points to underrepresentation of women in senior decision-making roles within larger firms on the continent. While specific investment amounts weren’t detailed, the findings underscore a clear disparity in access to resources for women building and scaling businesses. This data serves as a crucial benchmark as we move forward, demanding greater transparency and accountability from investors.
Sector Overview
This funding gap isn’t isolated to one sector. We’ve seen similar trends across fintech – where companies like Flutterwave have demonstrated the potential of African innovation – agritech, and even the burgeoning green tech space. While investors like TLcom and Partech are increasingly vocal about their commitment to diversity, the numbers clearly show there’s a significant gap between intention and impact. The challenge isn’t a lack of viable female-led ventures; it’s a bias in the investment process, often stemming from unconscious biases and limited networks.
Market Context
Addressing this imbalance isn’t just about fairness; it’s about strengthening Africa’s entire tech ecosystem. Studies consistently demonstrate that diverse teams are more innovative and resilient. By excluding female founders, we’re missing out on a wealth of talent and perspectives that could drive significant economic growth. Increased funding for women-led businesses will create more jobs, foster local expertise, and ultimately contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future for our continent. We need to see more investment mirroring the success stories of companies like M-Pesa, but with a more equitable distribution of capital.
Impact & Opportunities
Imagine the impact of doubling, or even tripling, that 5% figure. More funded female founders mean more jobs created, particularly for women and youth. It means more innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of African communities. It means a stronger, more diverse, and more competitive tech landscape. Investors like Norrsken, with their focus on impact investing, are showing the way, but we need broader adoption of these principles across the board. Increased access to capital, coupled with mentorship and networking opportunities, will empower our female entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and drive lasting change.
Looking Ahead
The Forbes Africa report is a wake-up call. In 2026, we must prioritize initiatives that actively support female founders, from targeted funding programs to mentorship networks and policy changes. We anticipate increased scrutiny from investors and a growing demand for transparency in funding allocations. The future of African tech depends on our ability to unlock the potential of all our entrepreneurs, and that starts with ensuring equitable access to capital and leadership opportunities.
