Female-led startups in Nigeria are addressing everyday problems by enhancing access to credit, digitising healthcare, streamlining food supply chains, and creating jobs in underserved communities.
This is across fintech, healthtech, agritech, logistics, and e-commerce, where women founders are gaining visibility, customers, and impact despite navigating a challenging business climate.
Industry data consistently shows that female-led startups in Africa receive a small fraction of total venture capital raised each year. In Nigeria, where startup funding overall has tightened due to global economic pressures, women founders are often hit harder in the face by stricter scrutiny, smaller ticket sizes, and longer fundraising cycles.
Some female-led startups are also turning to alternative financing, including revenue-based funding and cooperative lending, to keep operations running. Nigerian female entrepreneurs are making significant waves, particularly in the tech space.
Here are some of the most prominent Nigerian female-led startups and a brief biography of each:
Odunayo Eweniyi – Fintech
She is the co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, a savings and investment platform in Nigeria. A first-class Computer Engineering graduate, she is a vocal advocate for women in tech and financial inclusion, and a co-founder of the Feminist Coalition. She has been recognized on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30”
Temie Giwa- HealthTech/Logistics
She is the founder and CEO of LifeBank, a medical distribution company that utilizes technology to deliver blood, oxygen, and other essential medical supplies to hospitals in Nigeria and across Africa, ensuring patients have access to vital healthcare products. She was motivated to start the company after experiencing personal healthcare challenges.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola – Environmental Tech/Social Enterprise
She is the founder of WeCyclers, a Lagos-based waste management company that uses a fleet of cargo bicycles (Tricycles) to collect recyclable waste from low-income households, who are then rewarded with points that can be exchanged for household goods. She holds an MBA from MIT, where the idea was developed.
Funke Opeke – Digital Infrastructure
She is the founder and former CEO of MainOne (now part of Equinix), one of West Africa’s largest digital infrastructure companies. After working in the US (including at Verizon), she returned to Nigeria to bridge the poor connectivity gap by building a $240 million submarine cable connecting West Africa to Europe.
Damilola Olokesusi – Mobility/Logistics
She is the co-founder and CEO of Shuttlers, a technology-driven mobility company that provides comfortable and affordable bus-sharing services for professionals and companies in Nigerian cities, redefining urban mass transit.
Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson – HealthTech
She is the founder and CEO of Healthtracka, a health tech startup focused on decentralising access to essential medical laboratory testing by offering at-home testing and digital results. The company has expanded its operations to multiple African states.
Uche Pedro – Media/Entertainment
She is the founder and CEO of BellaNaija, one of Africa’s most popular online media companies for entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, and weddings. She is a highly influential media entrepreneur.
Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti – Fintech
She is the founder and CEO of Herconomy, Nigeria’s first digital platform and community dedicated to empowering women through financial services (savings, loans), networking, job opportunities, and access to grants and training.
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