Global technology group Naspers and its international arm Prosus have unveiled the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, a new programme aimed at supporting women-led tech and tech-enabled startups across the continent. The initiative follows a pilot scheme in India earlier this year and is designed to address the persistent lack of funding and visibility for female founders.
While women make up around 26% of Africa’s entrepreneurs, women-led startups currently secure less than 3% of venture capital funding, according to research from TechCabal Insights and the Africa Growth Fund. This imbalance is linked to a $42 billion funding gap, which, if bridged, could add as much as $316 billion to Africa’s GDP.
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director of Naspers and Prosus, said: “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. 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. By backing them, we are not only empowering individual entrepreneurs but unlocking economic opportunities that will benefit entire communities and the continent at large.”
What the Tech FoundHER challenge provides
The Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge will award three women founders with equity-free grants totalling US$100,000 to help them accelerate business growth. In addition to the funding, participants will receive mentorship from senior leaders within the Naspers-Prosus network, curated opportunities to connect with industry players, and increased brand visibility.
Businesses will also benefit from feedback provided by a panel of executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Six shortlisted founders will present their ventures at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, coinciding with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, giving them a platform to pitch to influential stakeholders.
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.”
Partnership with Lionesses of Africa
The programme is being run in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, a network of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs across the continent. The organisation provides members with access to resources, funding opportunities, and a platform to amplify their business stories.
Eligibility and timeline
Applications will open on 1 September 2025 through the Lionesses of Africa website. To qualify, applicants must be women-led startups with a focus on tech or tech-enabled products, be at or before Series B funding stage, and demonstrate proven revenue generation and market traction. At least one woman founder must hold a leadership position within the company.
Submissions will be reviewed in two rounds by a panel of investors, executives, and entrepreneurs. Six finalists will move forward to the final stage in November, where winners will be announced during the Johannesburg showcase event.
The launch of the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge signals a significant move to address the imbalance in access to finance for women-led businesses, while also providing entrepreneurs with the networks and recognition needed to expand their ventures.
