FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Addressing Gender Imbalance in African Tech: Launch of FIT4Mentorship Programme

[Lusaka, 18th April 2024]

The African tech industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the continent’s startup ecosystem attracting over $5 billion in investments in 2022 alone. However, despite this growth, women’s participation in the African tech industry remains disproportionately low as only 20% of tech startups funded in Africa in 2022 had a female founder, highlighting the persistent gender imbalance in the sector. 

The FIT4Mentorship Programme is launched in response to the gender imbalance in the African tech industry. This initiative aims to strengthen the presence of female tech role models in the industry, empowering them to serve as mentors, amplifying their visibility, and inspiring other women to pursue opportunities in technology.

The FIT4Mentorship Programme represents a pivotal step towards promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the African tech ecosystem. By empowering existing female tech role models and enhancing their mentorship capabilities, the programme aims to foster a supportive community where women can thrive and contribute to a more equitable industry.

The core objectives of the FIT4Mentorship Programme include:

• 1. Empowering Female Tech Role Models: Equipping existing female tech leaders with the tools and resources to become effective mentors and role models.
• 2. Enhancing Visibility: Increasing the visibility of female tech role models through targeted initiatives and platforms to inspire the next generation of women in technology.
• 3. Establishing a Supportive Community: Creating a network of female tech role models who can collaborate, share experiences, and support each other’s professional growth.
• 4. Contributing to Gender Equity: By reinforcing the visibility and avenues through which female tech role models can share their experiences and provide guidance, the program aims to contribute to a more gender-equitable perception of the industry.

The FIT4Mentorship Programme invites female tech role models from across Africa to apply and contribute to building a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem. The programme aims to drive meaningful change in the industry through mentorship, networking opportunities and capacity building.

This program is brought to you by BongoHive, Zanga Metrics and SPARK. SPARK is a project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

About GIZ and SPARK:

GIZ implements a new regional project ‘SPARK’ which aims at strengthening African technology ecosystems for Gender Responsive, Climate Smart and Research-based Innovation on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implements this project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. We support the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education activities around the globe. Through our work, we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions

About BongoHive:

BongoHive is a Technology and Innovation hub that provides a range of startup and tech programs by cocreating sustainable solutions through Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology.

The programs that we have created have been crafted to guide startups through the entrepreneurial journey; from idea right through to scale. The BongoHive Group also includes BongoHive Consult, a digital transformation and innovation consulting firm.
For more information please visit: www.bongohive.co.zm 

About Zanga Metrics:

Zanga African Metrics is a Zambian, majority female-owned specialized company in the design and development of human capital development solutions for success in Africa. For more information please visit: https://www.zangametrics.com/ 

Media Contact:

Lenny Mumbi

Marketing and Communications Lead

BongoHive Technology Hub
Email: [email protected]

Phone number: +260777483698