Nthabi Mokgatle

A South African entrepreneur who pioneered women's economic empowerment through technology-driven platforms

Nthabi Mokgatle (born 1975) is a visionary entrepreneur from South Africa who revolutionized women's access to economic opportunities through innovative digital platforms. As founder of Women-Led Africa, she created Africa's first continent-wide network connecting female entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship and market access. Her platform has enabled over 50,000 women to start businesses since 2003, generating $250M+ in economic activity across 34 African countries.

Before launching her tech ventures, Mokgatle worked with UNDP on post-apartheid economic reforms, witnessing firsthand the systemic barriers faced by women in male-dominated industries. This inspired her to develop the Women-Led Tech Accelerator, which trains women in blockchain and AI technologies to create solutions for local challenges like agricultural supply chain inefficiencies.

In 2018, she pioneered the Women's Digital Currency initiative, creating a blockchain-based payment system to eliminate transaction barriers for informal sector workers. This system now operates in 12 countries and has facilitated over $120M in peer-to-peer transactions among marginalized communities. Her work has been featured in BBC and Financial Times, earning her recognition as one of Africa's most influential social entrepreneurs.

Mokgatle's approach combines cutting-edge technology with deep cultural understanding, creating scalable solutions that address both economic and gender disparities. Her latest venture, Educate Her Africa, uses VR training modules to provide STEM education to rural girls, preparing them for tech-driven careers. This initiative has already trained 15,000+ girls in Kenya and Nigeria, with plans to expand continent-wide by 2025.