Our tech ecosystem continues to evolve, but a recent report signals a worrying trend. Tekedia’s analysis, published on January 26, 2026, highlights a deepening gender gap in African startup funding. While overall investment in African ventures remains strong, women-led startups are increasingly being left behind, a challenge we must address to unlock the full potential of our continent’s innovation.
The Widening Funding Disparity in 2025
According to Tekedia, 2025 saw a concerning shift in funding patterns. The report indicates that women-led startups attracted a smaller proportion of total funding compared to previous years. While specific figures weren’t detailed in the report, the trend is clear: securing capital is becoming more difficult for female founders. This is particularly troubling given the proven impact of diverse leadership on innovation and returns, mirroring global patterns where female-founded companies often deliver higher revenue per dollar invested.
Impact on Key Sectors
The funding gap isn’t uniform across all sectors. We’ve seen successes with fintechs like Flutterwave and payment solutions, but even within these thriving areas, women-led companies face hurdles. Sectors like agritech, where women play a crucial role as smallholder farmers, are also impacted. Limited access to capital hinders their ability to scale innovative solutions addressing food security and agricultural efficiency. This ultimately slows down progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals across our continent.
The Role of Investors and Ecosystem Support
Investors like TLcom, Partech, and Norrsken have been vocal about their commitment to diversity, but more action is needed. We need to see increased intentionality in sourcing and supporting female founders. This includes dedicated funding streams, mentorship programs tailored to the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face, and addressing unconscious bias in investment decisions. Greater transparency in funding data, broken down by gender, will also be crucial for tracking progress and holding the ecosystem accountable.
Building Africa’s Inclusive Tech Future
Despite this setback, we remain optimistic. The resilience and ingenuity of African women entrepreneurs are undeniable. We anticipate a growing focus on gender lens investing in 2026, with more funds actively seeking to support female-led ventures. By fostering a more inclusive ecosystem, we can unlock a wave of innovation that benefits all of Africa, driving economic growth and creating opportunities for generations to come. The future of African tech must be equitable.
