Funmi Iyanda

Nigerian tech pioneer who revolutionized women's access to STEM education in Africa

Funmi Iyanda (born 1973) is a Nigerian computer scientist and entrepreneur whose work has profoundly impacted technology education across West Africa. As a trailblazer in the male-dominated tech industry, she founded TechAfrica in 1998, an organization that has trained over 50,000 women and girls in digital literacy and coding since its inception. Her innovative approach combines hands-on workshops with mentorship programs, creating sustainable pathways for female participation in the tech sector. Iyanda's 2015 partnership with Google expanded her reach to 12 African countries, establishing coding academies in underserved communities. Her advocacy led to Nigeria's first national policy on ICT education inclusion in 2005. Beyond technical training, she pioneered the Women in Tech Leadership initiative, connecting African women with Silicon Valley networks through her LinkedIn platform. Iyanda's work has been featured in UNESCO's Global Education Monitor Report and inspired similar programs across the continent. Her most recent venture, Africa Code School, offers free online courses in 15 African languages, breaking linguistic barriers in tech education. With over 300,000 alumni, her initiatives have directly contributed to a 47% increase in female tech professionals in Nigeria between 2000-2020 (source: Statista).