Many products and services worldwide overlook women’s unique needs, from finance and health to safety and beauty, often designed by male-led teams with limited female input. Female Nigerian founders are changing this by building targeted solutions that empower women economically, digitally, and personally.
Solape Akinpelu, Co-founder of HerVest
This fintech platform offers savings, investments, and credit tailored for underserved African women, especially smallholder farmers, to bridge the gender finance gap.
Ife Durosimi-Etti, Founder of Herconomy
A women-focused fintech providing automated savings, interest-earning vaults, and financial tools to promote independence among Nigerian women.
Inya Ajanaku and Adriana Lica, Founders of Aya Pads (Aya Care)
They produce affordable, high-quality sanitary pads designed for women’s comfort and coverage during menstruation.
Jennie Nwokoye, Founder of Clafiya
A health-tech startup delivering on-demand primary healthcare services, partnering with providers to improve access for women and families.
Tumi Ifebogun, Founder of ImpactHER
This initiative equips African women with digital literacy, skills, funding, and global opportunities to thrive in the digital economy.
Subuola Oyeleye, Founder/CEO of Beauty Hut Africa
Launched in 2023, this brand transforms beauty retail by making authentic, affordable global and local beauty products accessible to African women and consumers.
Ada Nduka Oyom, Founder and Executive Director of She Code Africa (SCA)
A non-profit launched in 2016 to empower African women and girls in tech through training, mentorship, and community building. SCA has impacted over 62,000 women across 20+ countries with programs in web/mobile development, UX design, cloud engineering, and open source, achieving 93%+ completion rates while fostering networking and visibility.
Kemisola Bolarinwa, Founder/CEO of Nextwear Technologies
Nigeria’s first wearable tech startup launched in 2020. A robotics and embedded systems engineer with over 13 years of experience, she leads a team of 9 developing smart clothing with sensors, AI, and machine learning to address health, security, and fashion needs.
Nextwear creates affordable wearables like the Smart Bra Cup Diagnostic Device for early breast cancer detection, inspired by Kemisola’s aunt’s late-stage diagnosis. The company targets underserved communities with health monitoring tech embedded in everyday garments, earning global awards and partnerships
Temilade Openiyi (Tems), Leading Vibe Initiative
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, songwriter, and self-taught producer known for hits like “Essence” with Wizkid and her EP For Broken Ears. She launched the Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI) in 2025. LVI provides workshops, mentorship, and resources for African women aged 18-35 aspiring to music careers as artists, producers, executives, or lawyers.
Gloria Ojukwu, Founder of HerTechTrail
A product manager and computer science graduate, Gloria launched HerTechTrail in November 2019 to help African women start tech careers through free digital literacy programs in web development, product management, and entrepreneurship. The non-profit has grown into a global community, training thousands, including selection for Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talents initiative and focusing on gender inclusion, visibility, and sustainable remote jobs.
Yewande Tolu Esan, Founder of Wandé Esan
Launched in 2021, this fashion brand designs women-centric, affordable, and trustworthy casual wear, with everyday pieces born from conversations with female friends frustrated by limited options in the market. Evolving beyond initial broad appeal, it now prioritizes comfort and style for women’s daily lives, rejecting the “streetwear” label to focus on practical empowerment through accessible fashion.
Oluremi Martins-Areola, Founder & CEO of Texture Science Labs / Regirl
A digital marketing expert turned biotech innovator, Oluremi launched Texture Science Labs in 2019, Nigeria’s first hair science lab, to create lab-grown (ReXI™) ethical hair extensions that mimic textured African hair patterns. Through Regirl, her consumer brand (evolved from Natural Girl Wigs), she delivers customizable, sustainable wigs to over 30,000 women in 70+ countries, tackling exploitative human hair sourcing while empowering Black women with instant, authentic glam.
