Locations
This Women’s Month let’s talk about power of digital and innovation – the kind that fuels economies, unlocks opportunities, and transforms lives. In today’s world, digitalization and innovation are unlocking this transformation globally. And yet, for millions of women, it remains out of reach.
On the African continent, women make up half of the population, but their access to technology, finance, and education is still an uphill battle. If we are serious about eliminating extreme poverty and building a sustainable future for all, we must prioritize digital technology and policies that empower women.
The numbers are staggering. Across low and middle income countries, 900 million women lack access to mobile internet, hence are cut off from information, markets, and the digital economy. These figures are not mere statistics; they represent millions of untapped opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and poverty alleviation.
Let’s be clear: Digital is an empowering force for not just women, but for people and planet. Adopting an inclusive approach to digital technology and innovation is an opportunity to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the SDGs.
According to the McKinsey Global Institute, closing the gender gap in economic participation could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In West Africa alone, an estimate of $18.4 billion USD GDP was lost due to women’s exclusion from digital spaces. The reality is clear: when women are left behind, we all lose.
Bridging the Digital Gender Gap
From the expensive cost of data and mobile devices to systemic financial exclusion, the barriers for women in digitalization are real. The digital gender gap is particularly harmful because digital skills are no longer optional; they are essential for accessing education, healthcare, financial services, and employment opportunities.
By 2030, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills. If we fail to close the gender gap in digital access and literacy, we risk leaving millions of African women and their families behind.
The digital divide is one of the most urgent challenges facing African women today—and one of the most solvable. Mobile banking solutions like M-Pesa in Kenya have shown how technology can help lift households out of poverty by providing access to savings and credit. However, scaling these solutions requires deliberate efforts to close the digital gender gap.
Multilateralism, Investment, and Policy: A Collaborative Path Forward
Leaving no one behind requires multilateralism, strategic investments, inclusive policies, and a thriving ecosystem. This is where UNDP initiatives like timbuktoo come into play.
timbuktoo’s thematic Hubs and University Innovation Pods foster entrepreneurship and innovation while addressing barriers like financial exclusion and low digital literacy rates. By integrating financial literacy training into its programs and advocating for market-creating policies across Africa, timbuktoo ensures that women are not just participants but leaders in shaping their economic futures.
An inspiring example is Aline Nicole Uwamariya, Co-founder of Geuza in Rwanda, which repurposes electronic waste to create affordable mobility aids for people living with disabilities. Her journey with timbuktoo started when she approached the University Innovation Pod in Rwanda to refine her idea. Through this partnership, Geuza was able to accelerate its product development by using advanced machinery for shredding electronic waste. It also empowered Aline to join the timbuktoo HealthTech Hub, where she connected with an ecosystem of pan-African HealthTech innovators, mentors, received one-on-one support, and equity-free grant.
Aline’s proudest achievement came when Geuza won 20 million Rwandan Francs at the Hanga Pitch Fest, part of the Youth Connekt Summit, supported by UNDP in November 2024. "My proudest moment as a co-founder was winning second place at the Hanga Pitch Fest 2024," Aline reflects. "It wasn’t just about the recognition, but standing in front of an audience, sharing the mission of Geuza, and seeing people not only support our vision but also connect with the cause. To know that others believe in what we're doing and see the impact we aim to create was truly life changing."
Aline Nicole Uwamariya, Co-founder, Geuza pitching at the Hanga Pitchfest '24
Geuza’s story illustrates the power of multilateralism, strategic investments and policy in helping African women break down barriers, drive innovation, and build thriving ecosystems. Through initiatives like timbuktoo, women like Aline gain access to the resources, knowledge, and networks that help them scale their businesses and create tangible impacts in their communities.
The Turning Point
This Women’s Month must be more than a feel-good moment; it must be the moment we act. Governments need to mandate gender-responsive budgeting and integrate financial literacy into national education curricula. Financial institutions must prioritize access to credit for women entrepreneurs while leveraging fintech solutions to reach underserved populations.
The private sector also has a critical role to play by investing in initiatives like timbuktoo that drive policy harmonization across Africa while fostering innovation at the grassroots level. Together, we can create an ecosystem where African women have equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power.
The question is no longer why we should invest in African women—it is how fast we can act before another generation is left behind. Digital inclusion is not just about technology; it is about equity, opportunity, and prosperity for all.
A connected woman is a powerful woman. A powerful woman builds stronger families, stronger businesses, and stronger nations. Africa’s next great economic leap will happen with women at the heart of key decisions. Let’s move, and let’s move fast. Because when African women rise, the whole world rises with them.
