Where Are Female Tech Founders From The North?

A cursory overview of Nigeria’s top ten female tech founders reveals an intriguing trend; there are no female founders from the country’s northern region, compared to the list’s more than 80% of women from the south; why is this?

Could this be due to a lack of infrastructure in the state to teach these girls technology? According to the Kano State Science and Technology Board, which was established in 1977, some of the challenges they face include a lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient orientation and mobilization; there is only 30% infrastructure available to serve the entire state, and only 50% of teachers are qualified.

Could a lack of appropriate foundation be the reason why northern females aren’t major players in Nigeria’s tech space?

Could the general lack of access to education for northern females be the reason for the lack of northern ladies dominating the digital space? According to UNICEF, Kano state has a 37% literacy rates for girls, while another study found that 60% of educated girls do not have access to the internet.

Could a lack of education and access be the reason why northern girls are underrepresented in Nigeria’s digital space?

Or is it plausible that tech organizations are neglecting the northern region in preference of places such as Lagos? For example, in 2021, Eko Innovation Center partnered with Africa Agility to train 10,000 girls in tech, which is more than Kano State would ever receive if this trend continues. Similarly, W.TEC equipped 1820 women and girls with tech skills in Lagos State among a slew of other organizations, as compared to the few organizations empowering females in tech in Kano State, such as Paradigm Initiative and Kabara.

Could it be that the state government is not investing enough, despite its efforts to establish ICT schools for girls in the state? Could organization be discouraged from venturing north because state governments have not made an enough effort to improve the tech space in their states?

Or is it possible that organizations have failed to see the north as a fertile market with great harvest potential?

As a business owner and Kano resident, I can assure you that the state will eventually emerge as a leading player in the Nigerian tech and start-up ecosystem, with agri-tech dominating the market.

While the state is now missing in funding, with a few organizations such as Stemledge, Schoola, and StartUp Kano playing vital roles in advancing tech in the sector ahead, it will eventually develop, and we should have women leading the space.

In summary, should we not provide girls in the north the same opportunities that we have given girls in the south, or should we just keep talking about it? After all, talking is the less expensive alternative.