- Naspers and Prosus have generously signed on as launch partners of the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
- The program invites applications from women-led tech and tech-enabled startups in Africa
According to a survey conducted by Africa Growth Fund and TechCabal Insights, women entrepreneurs represent 26 percent of the entrepreneurial economy in Africa but receive less than 3 percent of venture capital funding.
Closing the $42 billion funding gap is projected to add up to $316 billion to GDP growth by the report.
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO South Africa and Executive Director Naspers and Prosus, explained the challenge is created to bridge the gap by giving women founders the opportunity for access to funding, networks, and markets to scale their businesses.
She further explained that empowering women-owned businesses could unlock wider economic opportunity on the continent. Key elements of the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge are:
- Funding: Three female founders will each receive equity-free grants of US$100,000 to take their businesses to scale.
- Mentorship and networks: The participants will have access to senior mentors within the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, well-curated networking events, and added exposure.
- Expert input: Startups will be seen by a board of business leaders, investors, and executives and provided with feedback and exposure.
- Platform and recognition: Six shortlisted entrepreneurs will make pitches at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, which happens to be Global Women's Entrepreneurship Day.
Prajna Khanna, Naspers and Prosus's Chief Sustainability Officer, stated that the programme seeks to combine access, capability, and visibility for enabling women entrepreneurs to grow sustainably.
She further noted that after the successful launch in India, its move into Africa seeks to showcase the innovation and talent of the continent.
The competition is being held in collaboration with Lionesses of Africa, an alliance of 1.8 million women business owners that gives access to resources, funding, and platforms on which to tell business stories.
Applications open on 1 September 2025 through the Lionesses of Africa website. Eligible applicants will be startups in the technology or tech-enabled product space, with at least one woman founder in charge.
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