This policy brief translates findings from the Q1 2026 EmpowerHER Dialogue on women and the digital economy into eight concrete policy recommendations for African governments seeking to increase women's ownership and leadership in the digital sector.
Women-led tech startups in Africa are 3x more likely to fail in the first year due to lack of networks and mentorship
Gender-neutral digital procurement policies effectively exclude women-owned tech firms in 78% of reviewed cases
Countries with explicit women-in-tech policies saw 45% growth in women-led tech firm registrations over 5 years
Mandate a 30% target for women-led businesses in government digital procurement by 2028
Fund women-only technology incubators in partnership with established tech ecosystems
Reform ICT curriculum to include entrepreneurship modules designed for girls from primary level
Create a Women Digital Leaders exchange program with bilateral government funding
Require platforms operating in Africa to publish gender-disaggregated user data annually
Amara Diallo, EmpowerHER Policy Unit (2026). Closing the Digital Ownership Gap: Policy Recommendations for African Governments. EmpowerHER / ACE Advisors.
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