In a continent-wide push to bridge the gender gap in tech and entrepreneurship, ALX and the Mastercard Foundation are joining forces to empower African women with digital and entrepreneurial skills—unlocking opportunities that are reshaping lives, businesses, and communities.
One such story is that of Dominion Paul from Nigeria, who turned her experience at ALX’s Founders Academy into a thriving logistics startup, LADX. Today, her company has employed over 90 people and stands as a testament to what is possible when women are equipped with the tools to succeed in a digital economy.
“Empowering African women with digital skills is not just an investment in their future—it’s an investment in the future of our continent,” said Jeniffer Ramnath, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the Mastercard Foundation.
Since launching, ALX has enrolled over 285,000 learners across 54 African countries, with women making up more than half of its participants. Through coding bootcamps, startup incubators, and career readiness programs, women are stepping into leadership roles, founding tech ventures, and solving real-world problems in areas such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.
According to ALX’s Chief Operating Officer, Shana-Michelle Rabonda, “We’re witnessing women use technology to solve problems that others overlook. Their innovation is creating ripple effects across industries.”
Recent data underscores the urgency of this mission. A 2024 UNESCO report shows women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM fields in the African Union, while research from ISS’s African Futures and Innovation platform projects that closing the gender gap could add $259 billion to the continent’s economy by 2043.
The partnership between ALX and the Mastercard Foundation goes beyond education. It provides mentorship, access to global career opportunities, startup funding, and university scholarships. With 13 university partnerships already established, the initiative continues to expand its reach and impact.
“This is not just about numbers or representation,” said Sharon O’Donnell, Chief Experience Officer at ALX. “It’s about creating a generation of women who build, lead, and transform the world around them.”
From Morocco to Kenya, Egypt to Nigeria, women trained by ALX are founding ventures and pioneering tech solutions with global relevance. And as more step into these roles, they’re not just thriving—they’re setting the pace for Africa’s future in a digital-first world.
