Other

BBC World Service South Asia

Business Daily

Factual: Money

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Business Daily: Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

Bulletins

Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

03/05/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Business Daily, Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

How digital platforms are helping African women gain financial independence.

In Africa young women are turning away from traditional jobs and finding new careers using digital platforms including renting out rooms, selling goods online and driving taxis.

During the pandemic businesses shut down and traditional jobs were lost forcing people to rethink how they earn a living. Since then one of the biggest shifts in the economy has been the rise of digital platforms – online market places which sell everything from fruit and veg to TVs and kitchen appliances. In Africa women have found new careers using Facebook and WhatsApp as well as ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. 

Sam Fenwick meets three women who have found financial independence by starting businesses on these platforms. Josephine Adzogble from Accra in Ghana has a business selling electrical appliances via social media. Ayobami Lawal drives taxis in Lagos, Nigeria. The single mum of four talks about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated environment. And Sharon Tarit from Eldoret, Kenya sublets properties through AirBnB. She started her business after she was forced to permanently close her shop selling baby clothes during the pandemic. 

Sam Fenwick is also joined by lead researcher at Caribou Digital, Grace Natabaalo who explains why it’s important for women to have financial independence and the impact female workers can have on a country’s economy. 

Presenter / Producer : Sam Fenwick 
Photo : Josephine Adzogble, Ayobami Lawal, Sharon Tarit; Credit: BBC

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Business Daily

Female digital entrepreneurs in Africa

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service