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Meet the women raising millions in Africa's tech and finance space

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Women at the Vanguard of Africa’s Tech‑Finance Boom

In an era when African innovation is rapidly redefining the global economy, a handful of women are taking center stage, turning bold ideas into million‑dollar realities. A recent feature on GhanaWeb – “Meet the women raising millions in Africa’s tech and finance space” – chronicles the stories of four trailblazers who have secured substantial funding, built transformative products, and re‑imagined how technology can drive inclusive growth across the continent. While the article focuses on the women’s achievements in Ghana, the lessons resonate far beyond the country’s borders, illustrating the potency of female leadership in a traditionally male‑dominated sector.


1. The Trailblazers

NameCompanyFocus AreaFunding Raised
Esi OseiBespoke FintechDigital payments & micro‑loans for SMEs$5.8 M
Adjoa MansaMafexTrade finance & invoice factoring$2.1 M
Mercy AkwasiCafexHealth‑tech for rural diagnostics$1.4 M
Asha AdjeiIntraPayCross‑border money transfer$3.2 M

Sources: company press releases and the GhanaWeb profile links.

Each of these women turned a vision into a venture that addresses a pressing gap – from streamlining access to credit for SMEs to ensuring affordable, rapid diagnostics for remote communities.


2. From Idea to Impact

Esi Osei – Bespoke Fintech

Esi, a Ghanaian alumna of the University of Cape Coast, began her career in banking. Frustrated by the friction many SMEs face when seeking loans, she launched Bespoke Fintech in 2019. Bespoke offers a single‑app solution that aggregates multiple credit lines, enabling businesses to compare rates and apply for short‑term financing in minutes. Within two years, the company secured $5.8 million from a consortium of European and African venture funds, positioning Bespoke as a key partner for over 3,000 SMEs across Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.

Adjoa Mansa – Mafex

Adjoa’s journey began on the West African coast, where she witnessed the challenges small exporters faced when waiting weeks for invoice payments. She founded Mafex in 2020 to digitise invoice factoring, allowing exporters to receive up to 80 % of invoice value instantly. The platform uses blockchain to ensure transparent, tamper‑proof records, earning it praise from both banks and investors. The recent $2.1 million round, led by a leading Nigerian fintech accelerator, will help Mafex scale its services to West and Central Africa.

Mercy Akwasi – Cafex

Mercy’s background in biomedical engineering drove her to create Cafex, a low‑cost, portable diagnostic device that can analyze blood samples for malaria, HIV, and diabetes within 10 minutes. Launched at the 2021 Africa Innovation Summit, Cafex’s device has been deployed in over 120 rural clinics, saving thousands of lives by ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment. The company secured $1.4 million from a partnership with the African Development Bank and a Dutch innovation fund, allowing it to expand its production capacity.

Asha Adjei – IntraPay

Asha’s career as a software developer in Accra exposed her to the challenges of sending remittances across borders. IntraPay, launched in 2018, uses a distributed ledger to offer low‑fee, instant cross‑border transfers, targeting diaspora communities in Ghana, Nigeria, and the diaspora in Europe. IntraPay’s user base surpassed 150,000 in 2023, and the latest $3.2 million raise from a pan‑African fintech fund will finance network expansion to Ethiopia and South Africa.


3. The Power of Female Leadership

Beyond the impressive funding numbers, the article highlights why these women matter in the larger narrative of African entrepreneurship. Their stories illustrate that:

  1. Inclusive Financing Models Matter – Each startup has cultivated relationships with both traditional banks and newer VC funds, demonstrating a hybrid funding model that can be replicated by other African tech firms.

  2. Gender Diversity Drives Innovation – By addressing unmet needs—particularly for women‑run SMEs, rural healthcare, and diaspora remittances—these companies create products that resonate with underserved segments, thereby capturing fresh market potential.

  3. Storytelling is Key – The women’s candid accounts of setbacks—whether a failed pilot in Lagos or a supply‑chain hiccup for Cafex—were pivotal in securing investor confidence. They show that transparency can mitigate risk perceptions in a high‑stakes environment.


4. Challenges on the Horizon

While the article celebrates successes, it also acknowledges persistent hurdles:

  • Regulatory Bottlenecks – Fintechs in Ghana must navigate a complex regulatory landscape that can delay product launches and scaling efforts. The women are lobbying for clearer guidelines to foster a more conducive startup ecosystem.

  • Talent Shortages – Scaling tech products demands a skilled workforce. All four founders cite difficulties in recruiting qualified engineers and data scientists in sub‑Saharan Africa, urging universities to align curricula with industry needs.

  • Gender Bias – Despite their achievements, these women often still confront gender bias in pitch meetings and boardrooms, reminding us that equity is an ongoing battle.


5. What Comes Next

The GhanaWeb piece hints at several exciting developments:

  • Bespoke is negotiating a partnership with a global payment processor to roll out instant card‑linked loans across sub‑Saharan Africa.

  • Mafex aims to launch a smart‑contract‑based insurance product for exporters, providing risk coverage against defaults.

  • Cafex is partnering with the WHO to expand its diagnostic portfolio to include tuberculosis and cervical cancer markers.

  • IntraPay is exploring integration with mobile‑money platforms like M-Pesa to broaden reach.

These next steps signal a future where African women not only raise capital but also shape the continent’s tech infrastructure.


6. A Call to Action

The GhanaWeb feature concludes by urging investors, policy makers, and corporate partners to:

  • Prioritise female‑led ventures – Dedicated funds and mentorship programmes can help level the playing field.

  • Invest in STEM education for girls – The next generation of innovators must be nurtured from a young age.

  • Streamline regulatory processes – A transparent, agile regulatory framework will accelerate product launches and safeguard consumer interests.


Bottom Line

The stories captured in the GhanaWeb article underscore that when women lead, Africa’s tech and finance sectors can experience explosive growth, inclusive development, and resilient ecosystems. From micro‑loans for SMEs to life‑saving diagnostics, these women are not just raising millions—they are raising the standards of what is possible across the continent. Their journeys remind us that every funding round is more than a number; it’s a step toward a brighter, more equitable future for all Africans.


Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Meet-the-women-raising-millions-in-Africa-s-tech-and-finance-space-2001411 ]