Mary Muthoni Ndung'u

A Kenyan tech pioneer who founded Africa's first women-only tech hub and championed digital inclusion for marginalized communities

Mary Muthoni Ndung'u is a trailblazing technologist from Kenya whose work has revolutionized digital access in Africa. Born in 1978 in Nairobi, she witnessed the digital divide firsthand while working as a software developer in the early 2000s. In 2005, she co-founded MicroMacro, a tech company creating affordable solutions for rural communities, including a solar-powered computer lab that served over 500 schools by 2015.

Her most impactful contribution came in 2012 with the launch of Mama Africa Tech Hub, Africa's first women-only digital innovation center. This Nairobi-based space provides training, workspace, and funding for female entrepreneurs, with a focus on fintech and agritech solutions. By 2020, the hub had trained 3,000 women and supported 150 startups, including M-Farm, a mobile app connecting farmers to markets that now serves 500,000 users.

Ndung'u's advocacy led to Kenya's 2017 Digital Gender Equality Act, requiring tech companies to include women in product development. She also pioneered the Digital Girls Initiative, teaching coding to 10,000 girls across East Africa through partnerships with UNESCO. Her work has been featured in TechCrunch and BBC, which highlighted her role in closing Africa's digital gender gap.

In 2019, Ndung'u launched the Afridigital Foundation, expanding her mission to include digital literacy programs for refugees and rural communities. Her innovative approach has inspired similar hubs in Nigeria and Ghana, proving that inclusive tech ecosystems can drive economic transformation. Ndung'u's vision continues to shape Africa's digital future, making her a pivotal figure in global tech equity efforts.