Bridgit Owora

Founder of She Leads Africa, empowering women entrepreneurs across the African continent

Bridgit Owora is a visionary social entrepreneur from Kenya who founded She Leads Africa in 2012. This initiative has become a leading platform connecting over 10,000 African women entrepreneurs through mentorship programs, networking events, and capacity building workshops. Born in Nairobi in 1985, Owora's early career in finance with organizations like Standard Bank exposed her to the gender disparities in economic opportunities across Africa. This inspired her to create a movement that would address systemic barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.

Through She Leads Africa's flagship programs like the African Women's Leadership Academy and the Pan-African Women's Economic Forum, Owora has facilitated over $25 million in investments for women-led businesses. The organization's digital platform provides access to market linkages, funding opportunities, and skill development resources in 35 African countries. Notable partnerships include collaborations with Mastercard Foundation and UN Women to scale impact across sectors like agriculture, fintech, and renewable energy.

Owora's advocacy extends beyond economic empowerment - she co-founded the African Women's Development Fund and serves on boards like the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Her TED Talk 'The Power of Female Networks' has been viewed over 2 million times, emphasizing collective action as a catalyst for change. Recent initiatives include the African Women's Climate Entrepreneurship Program addressing environmental challenges through innovative business solutions. Owora's work has been recognized with awards including the Cartier Women's Initiative Award (2015) and the African Leadership Excellence Award (2020).