Nigeria’s Thriving Tech Landscape: Spotlight on Female-Led Startups
Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by a vibrant community of female entrepreneurs who are reshaping various sectors. These women are not just breaking barriers; they are also fostering innovation, creating jobs, and significantly contributing to the nation’s economic development.
The Rise of Female Tech Founders
Recent data indicates that Nigeria is home to over 481 active tech startups, with 60 of these led by visionary female founders. These startups span a diverse array of industries, including fintech, health tech, agritech, and e-commerce. The increasing visibility and success of female-led ventures reflect a significant shift towards gender diversity in Africa’s tech space.
Funding Trends
An analysis by The Big Deal highlights a notable increase in funding for female techpreneurs, with the amount raised jumping from $52 million in 2019 to $288 million by Q4 of 2021. However, between January 2022 and April 2023, startups with female co-founders and CEOs raised a total of $119 million, accounting for only 2.9% of total funds during this period—a decrease of 58.6% compared to the close of 2021. Despite these fluctuations, the support and recognition for female-led startups are on the rise.
Spotlight on 61 Remarkable Female-Led Startups
This article introduces you to 61 remarkable female-led startups in Nigeria, each with a unique story and mission. These companies are addressing specific challenges and contributing to the broader tech ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond.
Edukoya – Honey Ogundeyi
Founded in 2021 by Honey Ogundeyi, Edukoya is an ed-tech startup that raised $3.5 million in December 2021, marking the largest pre-seed raise by an ed-tech startup in Nigeria.
Sendsprint – Damisi Busari
Sendsprint, a cross-border fintech startup founded in 2022 by Damisi Busari, aims to streamline financial transactions across borders. Funding details remain undisclosed.
Fez Delivery – Seun Alley
Seun Alley established Fez Delivery, a last-mile logistics startup, to serve businesses and individuals across Africa. The startup raised $1 million in March 2023, bringing its total fundraising to $1.1 million.
Clafiya – Jennie Nwokoye
Founded in 2021, Clafiya is a health-tech startup that connects individuals to health practitioners for on-demand care. The startup raised $610,000 in pre-seed funding in July 2023.
One Health – Adeola Alli
One Health, founded in 2019 by Adeola Alli, is a mobile-first pharmacy and healthcare platform that has raised $150,000 in funding.
Torche – Sisan Dorsu
Sisan Dorsu’s fintech startup, Torche, founded in 2021, provides collateralized loans. The startup has raised $120,000 and is backed by Techstars.
Shuttlers – Damilola Olokesusi
Damilola Olokesusi founded Shuttlers in 2015, a scheduled ride-sharing platform that has raised a total of $5.6 million, including a $4 million equity funding round in 2022.
Bitmama – Ruth Iselema
Bitmama, founded by Ruth Iselema in 2016, is a crypto-fiat exchange that has raised $2 million in funding and has a diverse team across multiple countries.
Herconomy – Ife Durosimi-Etti
Founded in 2018, Herconomy is a fintech startup focused on empowering women with financial services. The startup has raised a total of $750,000.
Bankly – Tomilola Adejana
Bankly, founded by Tomilola Adejana, provides cash digitization services and has raised a total of $2.1 million in funding.
Crowdyvest – Temitope Omotolani
Temitope Omotolani founded Crowdyvest in 2019, an impact-driven fintech offering innovative online savings and investment opportunities. Funding details remain undisclosed.
Backdrop – Damilola Odufuwa
Damilola Odufuwa’s travel app, Backdrop, simplifies travel planning for Gen Z and Millennials. The startup has raised $50,000 in funding.
Hervest – Solape Akinpelu
Founded in 2019, Hervest provides inclusive finance to African women and has raised $650,000 in funding.
Tix – Folayemi Agusto
Tix, a self-service ticketing platform founded in 2019, has raised $100,000 in funding.
Pharmarun – Teniola Adedeji
Pharmarun, founded in 2021, provides fast access to medication and won $10,000 in equity-free funding at the Pitch2Win competition.
Famasi – Adeola Ayoola
Famasi, founded in 2021, is an e-health startup that raised an undisclosed pre-seed round of funding in February 2023.
Eha Clinics – Evelyn Castle
Founded in 2018, Eha Clinics focuses on affordable healthcare and received a $2 million investment in July 2023.
Sabi – Anu Adedoyin
Sabi, a B2B commerce startup founded in 2021, has raised $66 million in funding.
Pivo – Nkiru Amadi
Pivo, founded in 2021, offers an all-in-one financial service platform for supply chain SMEs and has raised $2.5 million.
Okra – Fara Ashiru
Okra, founded in 2020, is the operating system for financial service platforms and has raised $4.5 million in total funding.
Klasha – Jessica Anuna
Klasha, a cross-border fintech startup founded in 2021, has raised $4.8 million in total funding.
Healthtracka – Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson
Healthtracka, founded in 2021, simplifies lab testing and has raised $1.6 million in total funding.
Reel Fruits – Affiong Williams
Founded in 2012, Reel Fruits aims to be Nigeria’s largest end-to-end fruit processing company and has raised $3.1 million.
LifeBank – Temie Giwa-Tubosun
LifeBank, founded in 2016, digitizes the supply chain for healthcare facilities and has raised a total of $500,000.
Pocketfood – Omolara Olalerin
Founded in 2022, Pocketfood automates healthy eating for Africans and has raised $97,000 in funding.
Pennee – Emmanuella Majero
Pennee, founded in 2019, is an SME lending startup that has raised over $385,000 in funding.
Babymigo – Kemi Olawoye
Babymigo, founded in 2018, is a community for expecting mothers and has received $100,000 from the Google Black Founders Fund.
Aku – Adaeze Onwumere
Aku, founded in 2019, is a digital bank licensed by CBN and has raised $177,500 in funding.
Dukka – Keturah Ovio
Founded in 2021, Dukka provides digital payment and bookkeeping technology for businesses.
Flick – Ruth Olojede
Flick, founded in 2021, enables fast contactless payments across Africa and has raised $120,000 in funding.
Indicina – Yvonne Johnson
Indicina, founded in 2018, leverages AI for credit provision and has raised $7.5 million in total funding.
Keza – Aisha Hussaina
Keza, founded in 2022, allows Africans to buy mobile phones with flexible payments and has raised $120,000.
Ladda – Oluwatosin Olaseinde
Ladda, founded in 2021, is an investment platform that raised $100,000 from On Deck.
MyStash – Onyinye Oguego
MyStash, founded in 2021, automates savings for Nigerians, though funding details remain undisclosed.
Owoafara – Tale Alimi
Owoafara, founded in 2019, is a digital bank for the informal economy, with undisclosed funding.
Oystr – Ifedolapo Lawal
Founded in 2021, Oystr offers credit infrastructure for emerging markets and has raised $120,000.
Regxta – Rukayat Kolawole
Regxta, founded in 2018, helps micro-businesses access financial support, with undisclosed funding.
TalentX – Victoria Popoola
TalentX, founded in 2019, is building the operating system for Africa’s creator economy, with undisclosed funding.
Sidebrief – Eunice Olopade
Founded in 2021, Sidebrief provides solutions for business registration and compliance, raising $120,000.
ERA – Folake Owodunni
Founded in 2019, ERA provides emergency medical care and has raised over $400,000 in funding.
TranscendPharma – Mobolaji Ajayi
Founded in 2022, TranscendPharma aims to streamline medication sourcing, with undisclosed funding.
Outsource Global – Amal Hassan
Founded in 2013, Outsource Global is a business process outsourcing firm, with undisclosed funding.
Mwanga – Echika Obijiaku
Mwanga, founded in 2018, specializes in debt recovery for businesses, with undisclosed funding.
TownTalk – Folake Edun
TownTalk, founded in 2020, gathers and analyzes data for African businesses and has raised $405,000.
Zedi – Ized Uanikhehi
Founded in 2022, Zedi provides marketing and HR services, with undisclosed funding.
Mobihealth – Funmi Adewara
Mobihealth, founded in 2017, revolutionizes healthcare access and received a $1 million grant in 2022.
Shecluded – Ifeoma Uddoh
Founded in 2019, Shecluded empowers women entrepreneurs and received $100,000 from the Google Black Founders Fund.
Farmz2U – Aisha Raheem-Bolarinwa
Farmz2U, founded in 2019, supports smallholder farmers and has raised $335,000 in funding.
Messenger – Amanda Etuk
Founded in 2018, Messenger provides logistics and supply chain services, raising an undisclosed amount in funding.
Alajo – Olajumoke Oduwole
Alajo, founded in 2021, offers smart saving solutions for the unbanked, with undisclosed funding.
Cleva Banking – Tolu Alabi
Founded in 2023, Cleva Banking enables users to open U.S.-based dollar accounts, with undisclosed funding.
Pocket Lawyers – Ngozi Nwabueze
Founded in 2020, PocketLawyers provides affordable legal services to SMEs, with undisclosed funding.
HeelsandTech – Bisola Alabi
Founded in 2020, HeelsandTech helps women acquire tech education, with undisclosed funding.
Alarrt – Olumide Shode
Founded in 2021, Alarrt provides road safety notifications, with undisclosed funding.
Mycarebuddy – Ebere Okonkwo
Founded in 2020, Mycarebuddy focuses on mental health access, with undisclosed funding.
Coachli – Sharon Onyinye
Founded in 2022, Coachli helps experts monetize their knowledge, with undisclosed funding.
Enricher – Shakirat Animashaun
Founded in 2020, Enricher enables global real estate investments, with undisclosed funding.
Sornegy – Faith-Titus Okaformbah
Founded in 2020, Sornegy is a blockchain data integrity protocol, with undisclosed funding.
Taeillo – Jumoke Dada
Founded in 2018, Taeillo specializes in contemporary furniture and raised $3 million in funding.
MaterialsPro – Ejide Akinbiyi
Founded in 2021, MaterialsPro is a B2B e-commerce platform for building materials, with undisclosed funding.
AutoGirl – Chinazom Arinze
Founded in 2019, AutoGirl simplifies mobility in Nigeria, with undisclosed funding.
These female-led startups are not just contributing to Nigeria’s tech landscape; they are setting the stage for a more inclusive and innovative future. Each founder’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of technology.