10 ways female founders are discriminated against in the African tech space- Report

Navigating the tech space as a female founder can often feel like a battle for survival in a male-dominated industry. Only about 14% of African tech startups have female founders, demonstrating that women remain in the minority among tech company founders on the continent.

Founder of Fashtracker, Wunmi Akinsola, said that earlier on in her startup journey, she was apprehensive about the “female founder” label. “It took me failing to realise how skewed the system is against women and to embrace the valuable opportunities that are specially designed for women,” she said.

Despite the huge progress made towards inclusivity, discrimination against women in professional settings remains prevalent. It is crucial to acknowledge and address the obstacles faced by female founders in the African tech space, promoting a more equitable and diverse environment for all.

A survey by Disrupt Africa on female founders within the African tech startup ecosystem has revealed high levels of discrimination, with respondents reporting negative experiences with customers, employees and investors, as well as numerous unwanted sexual advances in the workplace.

Below are 10 ways female founders are being discriminated

Professional Bias

A staggering 80.8% of female founders in the African tech space have experienced bias in their professional lives solely because they are women. This deeply ingrained bias is a significant barrier to their success and advancement in the industry.

The professional bias faced by female founders manifests in various ways, often rooted in gender stereotypes and preconceived notions. Women are frequently subjected to scepticism and are underestimated, with their skills and expertise questioned simply because of their gender. This bias undermines their professional credibility and limits their opportunities for growth and recognition.

Baratang Miya, Founder of Girlhype said, “The white males who are protected by the law, protect their women, protected by the law. There are black males protected by patriarchy and the system of Africa as it is (women have to be subordinates) and there are women.”

According to Baratang, she came to realize that as a woman in tech, particularly in software programming and platform development, instances of gender discrimination and bias are bound to happen at any time. that could impact her level of optimism.

Read more: Only 14% of African tech startup founders are women; here are the reasons and possible remedies

This professional bias not only impacts individual female founders but also perpetuates a cycle of underrepresentation and limited diversity in the tech sector. When talented women are systematically undervalued and marginalized, it hampers the overall growth and progress of the industry, depriving it of fresh perspectives and alternative approaches.

Missed Opportunities:

In the African tech sector, approximately 50% of women have experienced the detrimental effects of gender discrimination, leading to missed professional opportunities solely because of their gender.

The missed opportunities for female founders stem from deep-rooted biases that perpetuate the notion that men are better suited for leadership and decision-making roles in the tech sector. These biases limit the visibility and recognition of female talent, contributing to a lack of gender diversity in key positions within the industry.

Open Questioning of Professional Positions: 

A concerning 65.4% of female founders in the African tech space have experienced the disheartening practice of having their professional positions and responsibilities openly questioned solely because they are women.

This pervasive form of gender-based discrimination undermines their authority, expertise, and contributions, creating a hostile work environment that impedes their success and professional growth.

Tarneem Saeed, CEO & Founder of Sudanese e-commerce platform, Alsoug and the only female founder in the country said in an interview, “The biggest challenge is the daily battle of having to secure equal status in the eyes of men before you can even begin to gain their respect”.

The open questioning of professional positions faced by female founders reflects deeply ingrained biases and stereotypes that assume women are less capable or knowledgeable in technical roles.

Hesitation to interact with customers: 

According to the report, 65.4% of female founders in the African tech space have experienced hesitation when interacting with customers simply because of their gender. This hesitation is a direct result of gender-based biases and stereotypes that assume women are less knowledgeable or capable in the tech industry, impeding their ability to establish meaningful connections with customers.

“Being a woman in African fintech is truly not for the faint-hearted. You’re too loud for some and too quiet for others. Are you wearing too much lipstick or are you looking too masculine? Some find you too opinionated and others think that you’re not being pushy enough”. – Bente Krogmann CEO & Co-Founder, mTek

Disadvantages in investor interactions

70% of female founders in the African tech space have faced disadvantages or negative impacts while speaking to potential investors solely because of their gender, according to the report. This gender-based discrimination in investor interactions creates significant barriers for female founders, impeding their access to crucial funding and hindering the growth and success of their startups.

Nelly Chatue-Diop CEO & Co-Founder, Ejara said,“There are also issues of societal norms around gender roles. You can attend a business meeting with your male employee and some potential customers/suppliers won’t even acknowledge your presence.”

This disadvantage in investor interactions is a symptom of a broader issue, the lack of gender diversity and inclusivity in the investment landscape. The underrepresentation of women in venture capital firms and angel investor networks further exacerbates the challenges faced by female founders seeking funding. The skewed gender dynamics perpetuate a cycle where access to capital remains elusive for many deserving female entrepreneurs.

Read more: SME Growth Lab Africa to offer ₦1M shared-grant to 5 African female entrepreneurs

Lack of respect from colleagues: 

73.1% of female founders in the African tech space have experienced a lack of respect from their colleagues solely based on their gender according to the Disrupt Africa Report.

This lack of respect manifests through dismissive attitudes, exclusion from decision-making processes, and a devaluation of their expertise and contributions, creating a toxic work environment that hinders their professional growth and undermines their overall success.

Questioning of male co-founder requirement: 

57.7% of female founders in the African tech space have been asked if they have a male co-founder, highlighting a distressing form of discrimination that undermines their credibility and reinforces gender stereotypes. This practice not only diminishes the achievements and capabilities of female founders but also perpetuates the misconception that women cannot succeed without male counterparts.

Nelly Chatue-Diop said, “There’s a significant lack of representation of women in leadership positions across Africa’s tech ecosystem. This has made it difficult for me to find role models, mentors, and networks to support my growth. We still have a bro club/bro culture in many of our local tech ecosystems.”

The assumption that female founders require male co-founders is not only discriminatory but also dismisses the wealth of talent, knowledge, and skills that women bring to the table. It undermines their autonomy and disregards their expertise, hindering their ability to forge their own path and make valuable contributions in the tech industry.

Reception of explicit/inappropriate comments: 

Disturbingly, a significant 70% of female founders in the African tech space have received explicit or inappropriate comments from male colleagues or professional acquaintances. This behavior not only creates a hostile work environment but also demonstrates a profound lack of respect for female entrepreneurs and their professional boundaries.

The reception of explicit or inappropriate comments perpetuates a culture of misogyny and sexism, reinforcing harmful power dynamics that marginalize women and hinder their progress. It creates an environment where female founders may feel vulnerable, disempowered, and even hesitant to assert themselves in their professional roles.

Subjected to sexual advances in the working/professional environment: 

52% of female founders in the African tech space have been subjected to sexual advances in their working or professional environments.

This deeply troubling statistic highlights a pervasive issue of sexual harassment and misconduct that not only violates the rights and dignity of female entrepreneurs but also poses significant barriers to their career advancement and personal well-being.

Access to funding and a sense of exclusion:

One of the most significant challenges faced by female founders in the African tech space is the limited access to funding opportunities and a pervasive sense of exclusion. Statistics reveal that a staggering number of 70% of female founders have been disadvantaged or negatively impacted due to their gender when seeking investment from potential investors.

Bloomberg reported that female-led startups receive a disproportionately small share of investment capital compared to their male counterparts.

Ujama Akpata, founder of Jand2Gidi said, “Raising funds has actually been quite difficult, especially in the current market where fundraising has slowed down… We have faced challenges such as finding the right investors and fine-tuning the pitch” 

This disparity is often rooted in gender biases, investor preferences, and limited representation of women in decision-making roles within the investment community. As a result, female founders struggle to access the financial resources necessary to bring their ideas to fruition and compete on an equal footing in the market.