Busha, a pan-African financial services company, and Women in DeFi launched a strategic partnership during the Women in DeFi Summit 2026 in Lagos. The collaboration expands opportunities for women pursuing careers in technology, Web3, and digital finance across Africa. The partnership addresses the gap between Africa's female STEM graduate pipeline and workforce participation, as women account for approximately 47% of STEM graduates across the continent but occupy only between 23% and 30% of technology positions according to McKinsey's 2025 report on gender parity in African technology. The laptop scholarship program, the partnership's first initiative, awarded five young women with laptops to support their education, professional development, and entrepreneurial goals as part of broader efforts to equip women with digital skills, financial literacy, and access to emerging technology opportunities.
Busha provides financial infrastructure that enables individuals and businesses to save, invest, trade digital assets, make cross-border payments, and manage stablecoin-powered financial operations. The company operates in Nigeria, Kenya, and the United Kingdom and holds the distinction of being Nigeria's first Securities and Exchange Commission-licensed digital asset exchange. Women in DeFi focuses on advancing female participation in blockchain and decentralized finance through education, mentorship, leadership development, and community-building initiatives designed to prepare women for careers throughout the global Web3 ecosystem.
Africa's Female STEM Graduates Face Technology Workforce Participation Gap
Africa continues to produce one of the world's strongest pipelines of female STEM graduates while facing significant disparities in workforce participation. According to McKinsey's 2025 report on gender parity in African technology, women account for approximately 47% of STEM graduates across the continent but occupy only between 23% and 30% of technology positions, underscoring the gap between educational attainment and employment opportunities.
Busha and Women in DeFi said the collaboration is intended to bridge that gap by providing women with practical access to education, professional networks, mentorship, financial tools, and career opportunities needed to succeed in the digital economy.
Five Women Receive Laptop Scholarships at Lagos Summit
The laptop scholarship program supports five beneficiaries who have already begun pursuing careers in technology, digital finance, design, and other rapidly growing industries. One recipient, Peace Toluwanimi Omosehin, who is studying pharmacy, indicated that the scholarship would allow her to begin preparing for a future in pharmacy informatics by combining healthcare, technology, and data analytics.
The laptop scholarship program marks the first initiative under a broader partnership aimed at equipping women with digital skills, financial literacy, and greater access to emerging technology opportunities across Africa.
Partnership Announces Long-Term Education and Financial Programs
Beyond the scholarship initiative, the partnership will introduce several long-term programs designed to strengthen women's participation in Africa's technology ecosystem. Planned initiatives include WiD Goes to School, an outreach program promoting careers in technology, blockchain, innovation, and digital finance among young women; a six-month savings challenge powered by Busha's savings platform to encourage stronger financial habits; and an introductory Web3 education program covering blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and other emerging digital opportunities.
Busha stated that the collaboration aligns with its broader commitment to building a more inclusive financial and technology ecosystem. The company noted that women currently represent approximately 47% of its workforce, while more than 30% of management positions are held by women, reflecting its view that diverse leadership contributes to stronger innovation and improved business performance.
Busha and Women in DeFi State Partnership Goals
Ngozi Okonye, Head of Brand and Communications at Busha, said the company believed Africa's digital economy would depend on investments made in talent today. She explained that although many women possess the ambition and capability to succeed, access to education, technology, and professional opportunities often determines participation. She added that the partnership with Women in DeFi was intended to create practical pathways that would enable more women to build careers, launch businesses, and contribute to industries driving Africa's future.
Sarah Idahosa, founder of Women in DeFi, said the organization viewed women as essential contributors at every level of the digital economy, including as innovators, entrepreneurs, builders, and leaders. She stated that the nonprofit's mission has been to narrow the gender gap in Web3 by providing women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed, adding that the partnership with Busha would expand those efforts and support more women pursuing careers in technology and digital finance.
Both organizations said increasing women's participation in emerging technologies would be critical to building a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable digital economy across Africa as blockchain and digital finance continue to transform industries worldwide.
FAQ
What did Busha and Women in DeFi announce at the Women in DeFi Summit 2026 in Lagos?
Busha and Women in DeFi announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for women pursuing careers in technology, Web3, and digital finance across Africa. The partnership's first initiative, a laptop scholarship program, awarded five young women with laptops to support their education, professional development, and entrepreneurial goals.
Why does Africa face a gap between female STEM graduates and technology workforce participation?
According to McKinsey's 2025 report on gender parity in African technology, women account for approximately 47% of STEM graduates across the continent but occupy only between 23% and 30% of technology positions. Busha and Women in DeFi said the collaboration is intended to bridge that gap by providing women with practical access to education, professional networks, mentorship, financial tools, and career opportunities needed to succeed in the digital economy.
What long-term programs will the Busha and Women in DeFi partnership introduce?
The partnership will introduce WiD Goes to School, an outreach program promoting careers in technology, blockchain, innovation, and digital finance among young women; a six-month savings challenge powered by Busha's savings platform to encourage stronger financial habits; and an introductory Web3 education program covering blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and other emerging digital opportunities.
