(TECH) Fatoumata Bâ, born in 1986 in Dakar, Senegal, is a distinguished tech entrepreneur and venture capital investor whose work has significantly impacted Africa’s digital landscape.
Her early fascination with technology was evident when, at just nine years old, she hacked her father’s computer. By 11, she had created her first email address, and at 16, she built her first website.
Pursuing her passion for technology and business, Bâ earned a bachelor’s degree from Toulouse Business School and a master’s degree in Management, Strategy, Marketing, and Finance from ESC Toulouse in France.
She further honed her leadership skills by attending the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States for Executive Education in Global Leadership and Public Policy.
Bâ’s professional journey began in 2007 as an Accounts Manager and Business Developer for Index Multimedia. She later joined France Telecom as a Sales Advisor and advanced to the role of Business Analyst.
Her career continued to flourish at Atos Consulting, where she served as a Senior Consultant for three years. In 2013, she returned to Africa to found Jumia Côte d’Ivoire, serving as its CEO until 2015. She then became the Managing Director of Jumia Nigeria, playing a pivotal role in the company’s expansion across the continent.
In 2018, Bâ founded Janngo Capital, a venture capital firm dedicated to building, growing, and investing in pan-African “tech for good” champions.
Janngo focuses on sectors such as consumer goods, retail, agribusiness, technology, financial services, and healthcare across Africa.
Notably, Janngo Capital is recognized as Africa’s largest gender-balanced tech fund, backed by investors including the European Investment Bank (EIB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Proparco.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Bâ serves on the Board of SouthBridge Investment Bank and is a member of the Board and Investment Committee of Creadev Africa. She is also involved with the Council of Women in Africa and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the New Economic Agenda.
Bâ’s contributions have been recognized through various awards and honors. She has been named a World Economic Forum ‘Young Global Leader’, listed among Choiseul 100 Africa’s ‘Economic Leaders of Tomorrow’, and featured in Forbes Africa’s ’30 under 30′.
Additionally, she received the Aenne Burda Award for visionary leadership, optimism, and courage, and was listed among the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2020 and 2021.
Through her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for social good, Fatoumata Bâ continues to play a pivotal role in driving Africa’s digital transformation and empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
