Thandiwe Tsika

Founder of Africa's leading women's entrepreneurship platform empowering over 50,000 female entrepreneurs

Rise of SHE Innovation

Thandiwe Tsika (b. 1985) launched SHE Innovation in 2018 to address Africa's gender-based economic disparities. This South African social enterprise has grown into the continent's largest network connecting women entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and market access. Their platform now operates in 15 countries with partnerships from Mastercard and UN Women.

Innovative Approaches

Tsika pioneered mobile-first training modules tailored for rural entrepreneurs. SHE's 'Digital Marketplaces' initiative increased women's access to cross-border trade by 300% between 2020-2023. Her TEDx talk on tech-driven empowerment highlights how blockchain is being used to verify artisanal products from marginalized communities.

Global Impact

In 2022, SHE secured $22M in green funding to support climate-smart businesses led by women. Tsika's work was featured in Forbes Africa's 'Top 100 Female Changemakers' list. Her vision of an Africa where 40% of SMEs are women-led by 2030 aligns with UN SDGs, positioning her as a pivotal figure in inclusive economic growth.