At a time when Africa is producing more female STEM talents than any other region globally, many women in the region continue to face barriers transitioning into technology careers.

Busha, a pan-African financial services company, and Women in DeFi (WiD), a community dedicated to advancing women’s participation in blockchain and decentralised finance have partnered to support women pursuing careers in technology, Web3, and digital finance across Africa.

This collaboration which was officially unveiled at the Women in DeFi Summit 2026 held in Lagos recently, where five young women received laptop scholarships to support their education, career development, and entrepreneurial ambitions is targeted towards empowering and expanding women’s access to Africa’s digital economy.

The scholarship marks the first initiative under the partnership, which will deliver programmes focused on digital skills, financial empowerment, and access to emerging technology opportunities.

According to McKinsey’s 2025 report, The Quest for Gender Parity in African Tech, women account for approximately 47 per cent of STEM graduates across Africa but occupy only 23 to 30 per cent of technology roles, highlighting a significant gap between education and workforce participation.

Thus, through this partnership, Busha and Women in DeFi aim to help close that gap by providing practical access to the tools, knowledge, communities, and opportunities women need to build successful careers in the digital economy.

The partnership launched with a laptop scholarship programme supporting five beneficiaries who are already taking active steps toward careers in technology, digital finance, design, and other high-growth sectors.

One of the beneficiaries, Peace Toluwanimi Omosehin, a pharmacy student aspiring to transition into pharmacy informatics after graduation, said that receiving the laptop would enable her to begin building a career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data analytics.

Beyond the scholarship, the partnership will introduce a series of initiatives designed to help more women participate and thrive in Africa’s digital economy. These include WiD Goes to School, an outreach programme introducing young women to careers in technology, blockchain, innovation, and digital finance; a Six-Month Savings Challenge powered by Busha’s savings product to encourage stronger financial habits; and an Introduction to Web3 Programme that will provide practical education on blockchain technology, decentralised finance, and emerging digital opportunities.

For Busha, the partnership reflects its commitment to building a more inclusive financial and technology ecosystem.

Head of Brand and Communications at Busha, Ngozi Okonye, said: “The future of Africa’s digital economy depends on the talent we invest in today. While there is no shortage of ambitious and capable women, access to the right tools, education, and opportunities often determines who gets to participate. Through this partnership with
Women in DeFi, we are helping create practical pathways that enable more women to build careers, create businesses, and contribute to the industries shaping Africa’s future.”

Founder, Women in DeFi, Sarah Idahosa, said: “Women belong at every level of the digital economy, not only as users, but as builders, innovators, founders, and leaders. Our mission has always been to bridge the gender gap in Web3 by equipping women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed. Partnering with Busha allows us to expand that impact and support even more women as they pursue careers across technology and digital finance.”

As emerging technologies continue to reshape industries globally, Busha and Women in DeFi believe increasing women’s participation is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive digital economy for Africa.