Busha and Women in DeFi Partner to Advance Women’s Participation in Africa’s Digital Economy
The partnership launches with a laptop scholarship programme and will deliver financial literacy, Web3 education, career development and digital skills initiatives for women across Africa.
Busha, a pan-African financial services company, has partnered with Women in DeFi (WiD) to help equip more women with the skills, resources and opportunities needed to build successful careers in technology, blockchain, Web3 and digital finance.
The strategic collaboration was officially launched during the Women in DeFi Summit 2026 in Lagos, marking the beginning of a long-term initiative focused on increasing female participation in Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy.
Laptop Scholarships Kick Off the Partnership
As its first initiative, the partnership awarded laptop scholarships to five young women pursuing careers in technology, digital finance, design and other high-growth industries.
The laptops are intended to provide recipients with essential tools for learning, professional development and entrepreneurship.
One of the beneficiaries, Peace Toluwanimi Omosehin, a pharmacy student, said the scholarship will help her pursue a future in pharmacy informatics by combining healthcare, technology and data analytics.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Technology
The partnership comes as Africa continues to produce a growing number of women with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) qualifications.
However, a significant gap remains between education and employment.
According to McKinsey’s 2025 “The Quest for Gender Parity in African Tech” report, women account for nearly 47% of STEM graduates across Africa, yet they occupy only 23% to 30% of technology-related jobs.
Busha and Women in DeFi aim to help bridge this gap by providing practical learning opportunities, mentorship, financial education and access to professional networks that support long-term career growth.
Programmes Focused on Digital Skills and Financial Inclusion
Beyond the scholarship programme, the partnership will roll out several initiatives designed to strengthen women’s participation in Africa’s digital economy.
These include:
• WiD Goes to School, an outreach programme introducing young women to careers in technology, blockchain and digital finance.
• A Six-Month Savings Challenge powered by Busha to encourage stronger personal finance and savings habits.
• An Introduction to Web3 Programme, offering practical training on blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi) and emerging digital opportunities.
The partners say these initiatives are intended to give women the knowledge, confidence and practical experience needed to participate in fast-growing technology sectors.
Supporting Inclusive Innovation
Busha says the collaboration reflects its commitment to building a more inclusive financial technology ecosystem.
According to the company, women currently make up approximately 47% of its workforce, while more than 30% of management positions are held by women, reinforcing its belief that diverse leadership contributes to stronger innovation and business performance.
Commenting on the partnership, Ngozi Okonye, Head of Brand and Communications at Busha, said investing in women is essential to Africa’s digital future.
She noted that while many talented women aspire to careers in technology, access to education, digital tools and professional opportunities often determines whether those ambitions become reality.
Expanding Women’s Role in Web3
Sarah Idahosa, Founder of Women in DeFi, said the organisation’s mission is to ensure women are not only users of emerging technologies but also builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
She explained that partnering with Busha will enable the organisation to reach more women through education, mentorship and career development programmes that support participation across the Web3 ecosystem.
As digital technologies continue transforming industries worldwide, both organisations believe that increasing women’s participation will strengthen innovation, improve financial inclusion and contribute to Africa’s long-term economic growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the partnership between Busha and Women in DeFi about?
The partnership aims to equip more African women with digital skills, financial knowledge, Web3 education and career development opportunities to help them succeed in technology and digital finance.
2. What was the first initiative under the partnership?
The collaboration launched with a laptop scholarship programme that awarded five young women laptops to support their education, professional development and entrepreneurial ambitions.
3. Who can benefit from the programmes?
The initiatives are designed primarily for women interested in technology, blockchain, Web3, digital finance, entrepreneurship and other emerging digital careers across Africa.
4. What programmes will be offered?
The partnership will introduce laptop scholarships, financial literacy programmes, the WiD Goes to School initiative, a six-month savings challenge and introductory Web3 training.
5. Why is this partnership important?
Although Africa produces a high number of female STEM graduates, women remain underrepresented in technology careers. The partnership seeks to bridge this gap by providing practical skills, mentorship and career opportunities.
6. What is Web3?
Web3 refers to the next generation of internet technologies built on blockchain, enabling decentralized applications, digital assets, smart contracts and new financial systems such as decentralized finance (DeFi).
7. Who is Busha?
Busha is a pan-African financial services company that provides digital asset trading, savings, investment and cross-border financial solutions. It operates in Nigeria, Kenya and the United Kingdom and is Nigeria’s first SEC-licensed digital asset exchange.
8. What is Women in DeFi?
Women in DeFi (WiD) is a pan-African nonprofit organisation that promotes women’s participation in blockchain and decentralized finance through education, mentorship, leadership development and community-building programmes.
9. How does this initiative support Africa’s digital economy?
By increasing women’s access to technology education and digital finance opportunities, the partnership aims to build a more inclusive workforce, encourage innovation and strengthen Africa’s growing digital economy.
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