Top five African female entrepreneurs in the E-commerce & Retail (Online Shopping, Marketplaces, Logistics) industry

1. Temie Giwa-Tubosun – Founder & CEO, LifeBank (Nigeria)

Temie is revolutionizing healthcare logistics in Africa through LifeBank — a platform that uses technology to deliver essential medical supplies like blood and oxygen to hospitals on demand. While it’s a healthtech venture, the logistics and e-commerce infrastructure she’s built is widely celebrated, earning her global recognition from the likes of the BBC and the World Economic Forum.

2. Maya Horgan Famodu – Founder, Ingressive Capital (Nigeria/USA)

While primarily a venture capitalist, Maya is a key player in the e-commerce ecosystem as an investor and ecosystem builder. Her fund backs many early-stage African startups, including those in online retail, logistics, and digital marketplaces led by women. Her advocacy for women in tech and e-commerce makes her influential in shaping the industry.

3. Juliana Rotich – Co-founder, BRCK & Ushahidi (Kenya)

Juliana has worked on several tech-driven platforms, including BRCK — a connectivity device that helps people stay online in remote areas. Through her involvement with logistics and digital access initiatives, she’s created pathways for e-commerce growth in underserved regions. Her influence extends to board memberships at organizations supporting digital commerce.

4. Catherine Mahugu – Founder, Soko (Kenya)

Catherine created Soko, an ethical fashion e-commerce platform that connects global consumers with handcrafted jewelry made by artisans in Kenya and other African countries. She integrated mobile technology and decentralized manufacturing to disrupt traditional retail, offering a scalable model for artisan-driven e-commerce across Africa.

5. Juliet Anammah – Chairwoman, Jumia Group (Nigeria)

Juliet Anammah is a trailblazer in Africa’s e-commerce space, having served as the former CEO of Jumia Nigeria and now Chairwoman of Jumia Group. With a background in consulting and consumer markets, she helped scale Jumia into the continent’s largest online marketplace. Juliet is known for her strategic leadership, advocacy for women in tech, and for driving innovation in logistics and digital retail across Africa.