Global technology giants, Naspers and Prosus have launched the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge. The initiative offers equity-free grants totalling $100 000 to support and accelerate women-led tech and tech-enabled startups across the African continent.
Three founders will be selected to receive the grants, with additional benefits including access to mentorship, business exposure, and strategic networking opportunities. The initiative follows a successful rollout of the programme in India earlier this year and reflects the company’ ongoing commitment to empowering underrepresented founders in the tech ecosystem.
“The Tech FoundHER Challenge is about closing one of Africa’s most urgent gaps in entrepreneurship - the lack of funding and visibility for women-led startups,” said Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director of Naspers and Prosus. “Female founders are already proving that they can build competitive, tech-enabled businesses that drive growth and innovation. What they need now is the capital, networks, and market access to scale.”
The launch of the programme comes against a backdrop of stark statistics: women account for only 26% of entrepreneurs in Africa and receive less than 3% of venture capital (VC) funding. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the gender finance gap in Africa is estimated at $42 billion and closing it could unlock as much as $316 billion in GDP growth for the continent.
The Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge is aimed at tackling this gap by identifying high-potential women-led ventures and helping them scale. The programme is being run in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, a leading network for female entrepreneurs on the continent. With a community of more than 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, the organisation offers access to resources, funding opportunities, and a platform to share their business stories.
Lungile Msomi
In addition to the $100 000 equity-free funding, the selected participants will gain:
The six shortlisted founders will present their solutions at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, coinciding with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.
Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer at Naspers and Prosus said:
“For women founders to succeed, access, capability, and visibility must come together. At Naspers and Prosus, we know strategic interventions are essential – and this challenge is designed to give proven women-led startups the platform, connections, and confidence to scale sustainably. After a successful launch in India, we are thrilled to bring the Tech FoundHER Challenge to Africa and unlock the extraordinary innovation and talent the continent has to offer.”
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