In a strong push to reshape Nigeria’s digital future, global technology company Zoho has renewed calls for deeper inclusion of women in the country’s digital economy, warning that a persistent technology gap continues to limit the full potential of female entrepreneurs. The call was made during a high-level engagement at the Guardian Woman Festival in Lagos, where stakeholders across business, media, and technology converged to spotlight the urgent need for women’s digital empowerment.
The initiative comes at a critical time when Nigeria boasts one of the largest populations of women entrepreneurs in Africa, yet many remain excluded from the digital tools needed to scale their businesses. Industry experts argue that bridging this gap is no longer optional but essential for economic growth, innovation, and inclusive development.
Bridging the Digital Gap for Women Entrepreneurs
At the centre of the conversation was a stark reality: despite the high number of women-led businesses in Nigeria, fewer than 30 per cent actively use digital tools to manage or grow their operations. This gap, according to Zoho Nigeria, represents one of the most significant barriers to scaling female-owned enterprises in the country.
Speaking during the event, Zoho Nigeria’s Country Head, Kehinde Ogundare, emphasised that the issue is not rooted in a lack of ambition or capability among women entrepreneurs. Instead, he pointed to limited digital adoption as the real constraint holding many businesses back.
He explained that technology should not be seen as a replacement for the traditional strengths women bring into business such as relationship building and community engagement. Rather, digital tools are meant to enhance these strengths, enabling women to expand their reach, improve efficiency, and compete more effectively in a rapidly changing marketplace.
The message was clear: without intentional efforts to close the digital divide, a large segment of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will remain underutilised.
The Guardian Woman Festival and the Push for Inclusion
The Guardian Woman Festival served as a strategic platform for advancing conversations around women’s empowerment in business and technology. Organised as a month-long initiative, the event celebrates women’s contributions across governance, enterprise, and social development, while also promoting digital innovation as a key driver of progress.
Held in Victoria Island, Lagos, the festival adopted the theme “Reciprocity,” a concept centred on mutual value exchange, collaboration, and shared growth. Participants explored how women-led businesses can leverage networks, partnerships, and digital tools to unlock new opportunities.
Panel sessions at the event focused on practical strategies for navigating the digital economy, from adopting enterprise software to building online communities and leveraging data for decision-making. Speakers stressed that collaboration among women entrepreneurs can accelerate learning, foster mentorship, and create sustainable business ecosystems.
Zoho’s participation in the festival was not just symbolic. The company used the platform to reinforce its commitment to providing affordable and accessible digital solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes, particularly those led by women.
Technology as a Catalyst for Scalable Growth
One of the key takeaways from the discussions was the transformative role of technology in driving business growth. Experts highlighted how digital tools can streamline operations, reduce manual workload, and open access to wider markets beyond geographical limitations.
For many small and medium enterprises run by women, the transition from manual processes to digital systems can significantly improve productivity and profitability. Zoho’s representatives noted that adopting cloud-based solutions, customer management tools, and digital communication platforms can help entrepreneurs operate more efficiently and scale faster.
Importantly, speakers also challenged the long-standing perception that women’s digital empowerment should be treated merely as a corporate social responsibility effort. Instead, they argued that it should be viewed as a strategic business priority with measurable economic returns.
This shift in mindset is crucial. When women are equipped with the right digital tools, they are better positioned to build resilient businesses, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Rethinking Women’s Role in Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Beyond tools and technology, the conversation also touched on the broader role women play in shaping the digital economy. Industry leaders stressed that women are not just participants but key drivers of innovation, particularly in areas that require community engagement, collaboration, and trust-building.
There was a strong call for organisations, policymakers, and stakeholders to move beyond surface-level support and invest in long-term capacity building. This includes providing digital literacy training, improving access to affordable technology, and creating policies that encourage women’s participation in the tech ecosystem.
Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, but without inclusive growth, the benefits may remain unevenly distributed. Experts at the event warned that failing to prioritise women’s digital inclusion could slow down overall economic progress and limit the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Zoho’s intervention highlights a growing recognition within the private sector that empowering women digitally is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity. By supporting female entrepreneurs with the right tools and resources, companies can unlock new markets and drive innovation across industries.
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