Across the sun-kissed savannahs of the Serengeti, the bustling markets of Lagos, the vibrant tech hubs of Nairobi, the cocoa farms of Ghana, and the artisan villages of Mali, there is a heartbeat—strong, resilient, and unwavering. That heartbeat is you. You are the soul of Africa—the mothers, wives, warriors, teachers, inventors, healers, and builders of empires. Today, I write to awaken the global entrepreneur within you. This is our time. This is your moment to rise—not just as keepers of tradition but as trailblazers in global commerce, fueled by the richness of African culture and the boundless tools of technology.
Let us begin at the root. Africulture—our deep-seated values, customs, agricultural heritage, communal economies, and ancestral wisdom—is not an obstacle; it is our competitive edge. The world is hungry for authenticity, for stories, for soul. And Africa offers all that, wrapped in colorful fabrics, rhythm-filled music, sacred rituals, and ancient systems of trade and governance. African women have always been businesswomen. Long before modern trade policies, our mothers traded spices, textiles, pottery, and livestock across borders. They managed family farms, crafted medicinal herbs, and led cooperative savings groups. Their businesses were not just about profit; they were about people, peace, and prosperity.
Today, Africulture must meet innovation. Imagine transforming your grandmother’s shea butter recipe into a global organic skincare brand. Picture digitizing bead-making workshops to reach global learners on YouTube. Envision turning local farm produce into export-ready products using e-commerce. This is not fantasy—it is already happening—and you can be next.
The digital era is not the future—it is the present. Technology is our bridge from the dusty roads of our villages to the boardrooms of Silicon Valley, from local market stalls to Amazon’s virtual shelves. With just a smartphone and internet access, African women are now selling handmade crafts on Etsy, running virtual consultancies, teaching Igbo or Swahili online, and building fintech startups. Consider women like Rebecca Enonchong of Cameroon, a tech entrepreneur and founder of AppsTech, or Temie Giwa-Tubosun of Nigeria, founder of LifeBank, which uses data and delivery logistics to solve blood supply problems in hospitals. These women are not extraordinary—they are examples of what is possible when ambition meets technology.
So embrace the tools. Mobile banking platforms like Flutterwave, Paystack, or M-Pesa can help you accept payments, manage savings, and reach more customers. Use e-commerce platforms like Jumia, Abokifarm.com, and Facebook Marketplace to reach national and international buyers. Learn to use digital marketing on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp Business to showcase your products and share your journey. And never stop learning—platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and YouTube can teach you everything from coding to global brand development. You do not need to leave your community to go global. The world is now as close as your Wi-Fi connection.
Let us speak truthfully—the road is not smooth. You face barriers that many in other parts of the world do not understand. Patriarchal structures, limited access to finance, low literacy in digital tools, and cultural expectations that prioritize caregiving over commerce—these are real obstacles. But let me be clear: obstacles are not dead ends. They are redirections. Most African women entrepreneurs operate in the informal sector, where loans are hard to come by. Microfinance is not enough. What we need is access to investment, grants, and digital credit. Seek out grant opportunities from foundations like the Tony Elumelu Foundation or the African Women’s Development Fund. Form cooperatives and savings groups to raise capital. Learn to write winning proposals and business plans.
Only about 30% of women in Africa use mobile internet. Yet this is the very tool that can launch a business. Invest in digital literacy for yourself and your daughters. NGOs, government programs, and tech companies offer free training. Advocate for affordable internet and better infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Many communities still believe that women should not lead, speak boldly, or own businesses. These are colonial leftovers and outdated beliefs—not truths. Educate and demonstrate. When women build profitable businesses, provide jobs, and transform their communities, even the hardest critics begin to listen.
African women are no longer confined to the backseat of global conversations. From fashion to fintech, agriculture to artificial intelligence, you belong at the table—not just as consumers or laborers, but as owners, inventors, and policymakers. Africa’s economy is still largely agricultural, and women produce over 70% of the food. Yet women own less than 15% of the land. Technology now enables precision farming, digital market linkages, and smart irrigation systems. Agribusiness is no longer just hoe and machete—it is drones, apps, and data. Let your farms feed not just your family but the globe. Package your produce, add value, build a brand, and enter the export market.
The creative and cultural industries are booming. From Afrobeats to Ankara designs, the world is fascinated by African style. Women are driving this movement. Sell your clothes on Shopify. Turn local stories into children’s books. Translate folklore into animations. Protect your intellectual property. Build the African Disney, Netflix, or L’Oréal. You don’t need capital to start a service business. Begin with what you know. Start a virtual assistant company, freelance on Upwork, offer bookkeeping, teach languages, or run an online boutique. Many African women are already building tech solutions for health, finance, and education with minimal coding skills but maximum vision.
You cannot rise alone. In the African tradition of ubuntu—“I am because we are”—collaboration is our strength. We need women mentoring women, successful entrepreneurs lifting up the next generation, and networks that provide support, knowledge, and capital. Join women business associations like AWEP (African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program). Seek mentorship through platforms like She Leads Africa or Wimbiz. Apply to incubators and accelerators tailored for African women, such as the Women Who Tech Africa Startup Challenge. Normalize wealth creation among African women. It is not arrogance—it is responsibility. Every business you build is a job created, a child fed, a village lifted.
The girl child who learns coding today will run a tech empire tomorrow. The woman who learns marketing today can become a global influencer tomorrow. Education is your liberation. Do not stop learning. Be a student of business, of history, of culture, of technology. But more than that—empower others. Teach your daughters. Train the young girls in your village. Use your success to unlock doors for others. Lift as you rise. You are not just building a business. You are building a legacy.
This letter is not just a call to dream. It is a call to do. Do start that business. Do learn that skill. Do apply for that grant. Do speak boldly. Do challenge the norm. Do claim your place in global business. The world is waiting—not to save you, but to partner with you. You are not a victim. You are a visionary. You are not behind. You are becoming. So rise, African woman. Not just for yourself. Rise for your children. Rise for your continent. Rise for generations yet unborn. The future is female—and African.
With unwavering hope and boundless pride,
Kolawole Victor Owoigbe
About the Writer
Kolawole Victor Owoigbe – A visionary Economist, IT Professional, and Pan-Africanist with expertise in Finance, E-commerce, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and Agriculture. Known for integrating technology and strategy to drive business growth, rural development, and intra-African trade. A dynamic leader, author, and humanitarian committed to economic empowerment, innovation, and building a self-sustaining, prosperous Africa through digital transformation and inclusive development initiatives.
