We live in a world where digital transformation is shaping economies, and rural African women remain one of the most underserved groups when it comes to access to technology and financial tools. Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni is on a mission to change that.
As the founder of Tech Herfrica, she has built a platform that equips rural women with digital literacy, financial tools, and market access, enabling them to scale their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
In this conversation, we explore her vision, the barriers she is breaking, and what it takes to build an inclusive digital economy.
Interviewer: Imade, Tech Herfrica is making waves in digital and financial inclusion for rural women. What led you to focus on this area?
Imade: It all started with a realization—I saw that women in rural communities were working incredibly hard but earning very little. Their businesses lacked scalability because they weren’t connected to digital tools or formal financial systems. Many of them still relied on traditional trading methods, which limited their access to buyers and forced them to sell at low prices.
I wanted to create a bridge between these women and the digital world. With access to the right technology and financial education, they could double or even triple their incomes, participate in larger markets, and build wealth over time. That’s what Tech Herfrica is about—helping rural women transition into the digital economy so they can compete and thrive.
Interviewer: What are the biggest barriers preventing rural women from benefiting from digital tools and financial services?
Imade: The challenges are layered. First, digital illiteracy is a huge issue. Many rural women have never used a smartphone beyond basic calls and texts, so introducing them to mobile banking or e-commerce requires careful training.
Then, there’s financial exclusion—they often don’t have bank accounts, access to credit, or knowledge of savings and investment opportunities. Without these, they’re stuck in a cycle of low-income trading with little chance of expansion.
Another major barrier is societal perception. Many women in these communities have been conditioned to believe that large-scale business or digital tools are not for them. Some even face resistance from their families or communities when they try to adopt new business methods.
At Tech Herfrica, we address all these challenges—we train them in their local languages, provide access to financial resources, and work on shifting societal mindsets through education and advocacy.
Interviewer: Your initiatives, like EquipHer4Growth, have impacted thousands of women. Can you share a success story that stands out?
Imade: One story that truly moved me was that of Fatima, a widow and mother of four from Northern Nigeria. She used to rely on a small local market to sell her farm produce, often making less than $50 per month. She joined our EquipHer4Growth program, where she learned how to use a smartphone, sell her goods online, and access microloans.
Within six months, she tripled her income. She no longer sells only to her village; now, she has customers in other states and even outside Nigeria. The best part? She has enrolled all four of her children in school, something she never thought would be possible.
This is what keeps me going—seeing real, life-changing impact.
Interviewer: Many people assume that technology is out of reach for rural women. How do you make digital tools more accessible?
Imade: It’s about simplifying technology and making it work for them. Instead of introducing complex digital platforms, we start with tools they are already somewhat familiar with, like WhatsApp and voice-based mobile apps.
For example, our WhatsApp learning system delivers business and financial lessons through voice notes and simple messages in local dialects. This makes learning interactive and accessible, even for those who are not fully literate.
We also work with mobile network operators to make smartphones and internet access more affordable for rural women. If we want them to embrace digital solutions, we must remove the cost barrier and make the transition as smooth as possible.
Interviewer: What role do policymakers and governments play in this mission?
Imade: A huge role! Government policies can either accelerate or hinder digital inclusion. If financial services remain hard to access, if mobile data remains expensive, or if there’s no investment in digital infrastructure for rural areas, then our work becomes much harder.
We engage with policymakers to advocate for:
Better financial policies that support small-scale female entrepreneurs.
Lower internet and mobile banking costs for underserved communities.
Stronger support for digital literacy programs targeting rural populations.
Tech Herfrica isn’t just about training women; it’s about pushing for systemic change so that the tools they need become affordable, accessible, and sustainable.
Interviewer: What’s next for Tech Herfrica? Any upcoming projects or expansions?
Imade: Yes! We are expanding our Chat for Women’s Livelihood initiative, a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Turn.io. This program will use AI-driven WhatsApp chatbots to provide business education, financial advice, and market access—all through a simple messaging platform.
We’re also launching a Women in Digital Trade Initiative, which will help rural women export their products internationally. We’re partnering with logistics companies, online marketplaces, and digital payment providers to make cross-border trade easier for them.
Our goal is to empower at least 10,000 women in the next two years. Rural women deserve a seat at the digital economy table, and we won’t stop until they get it.
Interviewer: Finally, what message do you have for young women who want to drive change in their communities?
Imade: My biggest advice? Start where you are, and don’t wait for perfect conditions. Change doesn’t always happen in one big step—sometimes, it’s about taking small, consistent actions that add up over time.
Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, keep learning, and never let obstacles discourage you. If you see a problem in your community, don’t just talk about it—be the solution.
Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni is more than a digital inclusion advocate—she is a catalyst for transformation in rural Africa. Through Tech Herfrica, she is breaking barriers, equipping women with the tools they need to thrive in the modern economy, and proving that technology is not just for the urban elite—it’s for everyone.
Her work is a reminder that true empowerment starts with access, and when given the right tools, women can change their own futures—and the futures of generations to come.
