The LaunchPad to Support Black Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
Nigeria is set to spotlight women-led startups at GITEX Startup Festival 2025. The LaunchPad, a new platform, will invest $250,000 in Black women entrepreneurs. The program will also provide mentorship, regulatory support, and access to investors.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Alami Capital, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria are leading this effort. The LaunchPad will officially open on September 3–4 in Lagos. It is designed as a growth engine for African women founders.
Capital, Mentorship, and Visibility for Women-Led Startups
The LaunchPad is more than just funding. It offers multilayered support including visibility, strategic mentorship, and access to networks. A Funding Pavilion will showcase technology ventures led by women. Fireside for Scale talks will connect African CEOs with global investors.
Capital Readiness Clinics will also be held to strengthen funding pitches. In addition, the symbolic To the Stars bell-ringing ceremony will celebrate the rising influence of women in African markets. These activities aim to place women at the center of Africa’s innovation economy.
Five Startups to Receive $250,000 in Support
After the festival, five selected startups will share $250,000 in funding. Beyond cash awards, they will receive hands-on mentorship and guidance from industry experts. They will also gain access to investor networks that can drive long-term growth.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed the need for inclusion. He said, “Who gets funded determines what gets built, and what gets built will define the economic future of Africa. The LaunchPad ensures women founders are not just part of the conversation but central to Africa’s innovation economy.”
Closing the Gender Funding Gap in Africa
Currently, African women own nearly 27% of enterprises across the continent. They also contribute around 13% of Africa’s GDP. Yet, women-led startups attract only 7% of venture capital funding. This funding gap limits the full potential of women in business.
Alami Capital’s CEO, Olu Olufemi-White, highlighted the urgent need for change. “As an investor, I witness the economics of exclusion every day. This is about building a vetted, investable pipeline of women-led ventures grounded in institutional rigor. Our mission is to shift capital flows, transform investment behavior, and unlock Africa’s full innovation potential,” he said.
Transforming GITEX Into a Growth Platform for Women Founders
The GITEX Startup Festival has long been a space to showcase innovation. However, The LaunchPad is expected to transform the event into a platform for sustainable growth. Women founders will now gain visibility, resources, and recognition at one of Africa’s biggest technology gatherings.
By introducing this initiative, Nigeria positions itself as a champion of inclusive entrepreneurship. The LaunchPad represents not just investment, but a strategic shift toward empowering Black women entrepreneurs across Africa.
