When women within fintech companies feel empowered, they become the role models of better products for the women outside, especially in African markets, where access to financial services is challenging.
Step into any leadership summit or corporate roundtable, and you’ll hear a familiar mantra: “Mentor her. Sponsor her. Coach her.”
These calls to action are well-intentioned and often effective.
But if we’re serious about advancing women in fintech, we must go further. The conversation must evolve from offering support to enabling self-determination.
Empowerment, as it’s often framed, focuses on what organisations can do for women—how we open doors, create programmes, and offer guidance. While valuable, it can make progress feel passive.
