Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni is a visionary leader, renowned public policy advisor, and the founder of Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization dedicated to empowering rural African women.

Through her innovative initiatives, she’s been transforming the digital and financial landscape for women in agriculture and trade, starting with Nigeria and Kenya.

We spoke to Imade about her inspiring journey, the challenges she’s addressing, and the transformative power of digital inclusion for rural women.

CA: Imade, your work has gained significant recognition globally. What inspired you to start Tech Herfrica and focus on rural women?

Imade: The journey really began when I encountered a rural female farmer in Edo State, Nigeria. She was struggling to sell more than 40,000 naira worth of produce at a time.

Despite her hard work, she lacked the digital tools and market access that could elevate her business.

It opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that rural women face—limited access to markets, low digital and financial literacy, and social barriers that keep them in poverty.

I knew I had to do something to help bridge this divide, so I founded Tech Herfrica to equip these women with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy.

CA: You’ve made incredible strides with Tech Herfrica’s initiatives. Could you share more about the EquipHer4Growth program and its impact?

Imade: EquipHer4Growth is a flagship initiative designed to empower rural African women in agriculture and trade.

We provide these women with digital and financial education in their local languages, access to smartphones, and connect them with e-commerce platforms.

This has enabled them to reach broader markets, boosting their incomes and reducing post-harvest waste. We’ve seen income increases of at least 50% for many participants.

Since its launch, over 4,000 women and girls have benefitted from the program. The program’s success has earned us recognition, including the 2023 International Telecommunication Union Sustainable Development Goals Digital Game Changers Award.

It’s rewarding to see how these tools are transforming the lives of women who, until now, had limited opportunities.

CA: TechHerfrica’s success seems to be growing rapidly. You were also recently selected for the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator. How has this collaboration further enhance your work?

Imade: The Chat for Women’s Livelihood (CWL) Accelerator is a significant step forward for us.

With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and collaboration with Turn.io, we are developing a WhatsApp-based service that will help women engage in online trading and digital literacy.

Many of these women are already using mobile phones, but the level of digital literacy varies.

This initiative will bring practical tools directly to their fingertips, allowing them to expand their businesses and access services like microloans and insurance.

This chat service will be a game-changer in scaling our impact and making digital inclusion more accessible.

CA: You’ve received several prestigious awards and recognitions, including being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Politics and Governance.

How do you manage to balance all these accolades with your mission-driven work?

Imade: It’s humbling to receive such recognition, but the accolades are not the end goal. They are a reflection of the collective effort of my team and the women we serve.

My work is truly a mission—creating opportunities for women and empowering them to break free from the chains of poverty.

Whether it’s through policy advocacy, community engagement, or projects like EquipHer4Growth, my focus has always been on driving systemic change.

Recognition helps amplify the cause, but the real reward is seeing the tangible difference we’re making in these women’s lives.

CA: Speaking of policy advocacy, you recently hosted the PoliServe Dialogue, celebrating the International Day of Rural Women. What do you hope to achieve through this event?

Imade: The PoliServe Dialogue is a key part of our advocacy efforts.

It’s not just about talking but creating actionable solutions. By bringing together rural women, policymakers, business leaders, and advocates, we aim to foster collaborative discussions around the key challenges these women face—financial exclusion, lack of digital tools, gender-based violence, and limited business opportunities.

We want to provide a platform for rural women to voice their concerns, but more importantly, to come up with solutions that can drive real, lasting change.

This year’s theme, “Enhancing Livelihoods of Rural Women through Stakeholder Collaboration,” highlights the importance of collaboration to improve their livelihoods.

CA: What do you see as the biggest challenge in empowering rural women in Africa, and how can it be overcome?

Imade: The biggest challenge is systemic inequality. From limited access to education and technology to financial exclusion and cultural barriers, rural women are often at the bottom of the ladder.

Overcoming this requires a multi-faceted approach: policy reforms, increased investments in digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, and education.

It’s not enough to just provide the tools; we also need to break down the social barriers that limit women’s agency.

By working together—governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities—we can make significant strides in addressing these challenges.

CA: Finally, what advice would you give to women looking to create change in their communities?

Imade: My advice is simple: Start with your passion, and let that drive you. The road to creating change isn’t easy, but persistence and collaboration are key.

Seek out like-minded individuals, learn continuously, and always keep your eyes on the long-term goal. Every small step counts, and with a clear vision, you can make a significant impact.

Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni’s dedication to empowering rural African women through digital and financial inclusion is changing lives across the continent.

Through Tech Herfrica, she is leading a movement that is not just bridging the digital divide but also enabling women to break free from poverty and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.