International Women’s Day is finally here! Today, we recognize the 500+ female investors within ABAN who are actively shaping the investment ecosystem, championing startups, mobilizing capital, and driving economic growth across Africa.
From angel investors to fund managers, ecosystem builders, and entrepreneurs, these women are breaking barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic investment landscape. Who are the women accelerating action in your investment community?
According to the Yemi Keri, ABAN President, supporting women-led startups is important because it’s both a strategic investment and a necessary shift for economic growth.
“Women-led businesses have been shown to achieve 35% higher returns on investment than those led by men, according to Forbes, yet they receive a disproportionately small share of funding.” Yemi Keri
Having successfully backed a female founder, Damilola Olokesusi (CEO of Shuttlers, a technology-driven mobility startup), Yemi advises women looking to invest in or build startups to start small by co-investing through syndicates to learn the ropes. She also urges them to look beyond traditional businesses, explore diverse industries with high potential, and offer mentorship because many young entrepreneurs need strategic advice and access to networks.
Fueled by a personal tragedy (her sister was robbed on her way to work using public transportation), Damilola set out to reinvent mobility for professionals in Nigeria by co-founding the ride-sharing platform. In 2017, when Shuttlers launched, they relied on emails and messaging services to engage with their clients. By 2019, they introduced an app that allowed riders to book seats directly. They have recently launched their CNG vehicles, aligning with U.N. SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities. She continues to innovate and break barriers in her field.
“I couldn’t be any prouder” ****** Yemi Keri
On her part, Olatokunbo Ige, ABAN Board Member, advises women looking to invest in or build startups to empower themselves to take bold steps in the startup world by trusting their unique perspective, surrounding themselves with a strong network, and always be ready to take risks.
She goes on by saying that supporting women-led startups matters to her because innovation thrives on diversity. When women are empowered to lead, they bring unique perspectives, resilience, and creativity to the table, driving solutions that address overlooked challenges and underserved markets.
“Remember, every great venture begins with the courage to start and the resilience to keep going. Champion diversity, support other women, and believe in your ability to create and shape the future.”
Lina Kacyem’s (VC and Angel) story is different but inspirational. Although she did not personally back Nelly Chatue-Diop, she believes that Nelly is a great female founder!
Nelly launched Ejara to empower individuals and businesses in the diaspora and the OHADA zone with innovative solutions in crypto and tokenized assets. These unique solutions allow their clients to invest, save and make cross-border payments in a simple, secure and frictionless manner. Despite challenges, she secured funding and scaled her business.
“Nelly’s journey proves that with the right support, women entrepreneurs can thrive and lead impactful ventures. She’s focused on creating financial inclusion, fostering economic growth, and helping communities thrive with secure, decentralized, and impactful technologies.” Lina Kaceyem
Women-led startups drive innovation, create jobs, and build stronger communities. By backing them, we can unlock untapped potential, fuel economic growth, and pave the way for a more inclusive investment landscape.
“A good example of a success story of a female founder ABAN has backed is Petra Chikasa, whose Ed-tech startup, Koloso, started with a bold vision and limited resources. With the right support and funding, she scaled her business, created employment opportunities, and is now a leading force in her industry in Zambia.” Fadilah Tchoumba, ABAN CEO
By investing in women entrepreneurs, we don’t just uplift individuals, we create a ripple effect that strengthens communities, economies, and future generations. It’s not just about equality; it’s about unlocking the full potential of humanity.
Let’s celebrate the incredible women ACCELERATING ACTION on the continent here!
