We have compiled a list of five Black women who are leading Africa’s tech revolution. These women are achieving visibility milestones and building lasting systems and infrastructure that will define the continent’s next phase of growth.
South Africa presents a highly visible and natural target for this spending. The country exports undeniable cultural energy. Their fashion, fine art, and interior design show up on international runways and in luxury boutiques. Amapiano music dominates global charts. The country’s digital infrastructure is robust, and its entrepreneurial class is incredibly innovative and hungry for access to global markets.
A documented lived experience sits inside a longer American story: Black people can meet the standard, present the paperwork, and still find that access remains conditional.
Despite being one of the fastest-growing demographics of business creators in the global economy, Black women consistently capture a fraction of a percent of venture capital funding. The significant gap between entrepreneurial ambition and actual capitalization is not due to a lack of talent. It certainly does not come from a lack of market viability. It is the direct result of a fractured system. Funding absolutely exists. However, it is often hidden within disparate government websites, private foundation portals, and closed professional networks. You need insider knowledge just to know where to look.
On this International Women’s Day 2026, we celebrate the Black women on the African continent and all over the world who are funding scholarships, building community programs, mentoring, and investing in the lives of young people.
With the city preparing to host major 2026 events, including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, and Philadelphia 250 celebrations, Philadelphia’s Black-owned business community is poised for an extraordinary year.
The future of AI we used to hear and talk about is here. And in 2026, Generative AI is reshaping how we work, create, learn, and build community, opening doors for innovation, entrepreneurship, and storytelling across Black communities worldwide.
If you are reading this, you are likely looking to build a bridge between the world’s largest consumer market and the world’s fastest-growing demographic region. The opportunity is massive, but the floor has moved. This guide is not a list of vague motivational tips. It is a breakdown of the specific regulatory, logistical, and financial realities you will face in 2026.
Artificial intelligence, e-commerce, fintech platforms, and online marketing may sound like buzzwords, but for thousands of small business owners, they are now everyday working tools. This shift matters because small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sit at the center of Africa’s economy. According to the African Development Bank, SMEs make up over 90% of businesses and close to 80% of employment across the continent.
I attended Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026 Budget Address at the Pennsylvania General Assembly which afforded me a firsthand look at the legislative priorities shaping our Commonwealth.
