Khaya Cokoto is asserting her presence within the South African technology sector
In the bustling tech landscape of South Africa, female entrepreneurs are making their mark, facing challenges but also benefiting from a growing ecosystem of support and increased visibility.
Challenges
The road to success for female tech entrepreneurs in South Africa is not without its hurdles. Women own fewer established businesses than men (4.1% vs. 7.9%), indicating that sustaining a business is harder for women than starting one[1]. Additionally, less than 2% of global venture capital goes to female-led startups, and locally, women struggle with access to funding, mentorship, and networks[2]. Structural barriers remain despite rapid growth in the tech ecosystem, limiting scale and sustainability[1][2].
Opportunities
Despite these challenges, there are significant opportunities for female tech entrepreneurs in South Africa. 57% of South African women now identify as business owners, showing a notable shift towards entrepreneurship[1]. Nearly half of women business owners use AI regularly, driving cost and time efficiencies[1].
Initiatives like the Aurora Tech Award offer substantial financial support (up to R1.9 million), mentorship, and global investor access specifically for female tech founders[2]. Programs such as Huawei’s Women in Tech Digital Skills Training help women entrepreneurs enhance their skills for growth[5].
Female-led startups from Africa, including South Africa, are increasingly recognised internationally for innovation and social impact[2].
Pioneers in the South African Tech Scene
One such pioneer is Khaya Cokoto, who grew up in a small village in Eastern Cape and studied computer science at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. After graduating in 2007, Cokoto worked at the local municipality for nine months before co-founding X Spark, a software development company, in 2008.
X Spark, now a full-fledged software development studio, works with international clients from the Middle East, US, UK, and partners across Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania[3]. The company won the SAB KickStart regional competition in its first year[4].
Cokoto's company has developed several innovative products. Cokoto developed UmoyAir, a mobile app with ad placements, to help businesses market themselves during the 2008 recession[6]. Although UmoyAir did not pan out as hoped, it helped X Spark build reputation and taught Cokoto valuable lessons about timing, funding, and scaling big ideas.
X Spark is shifting from being purely service-based to building its own products, such as XS Card, a digital business card and networking tool[3]. The company is also leading the development of Tik'iBox, a digital payment service for small transactions ranging from R5 to R5,000[7].
In the face of challenges, these entrepreneurs are creating innovative solutions, shaping the future of South Africa's tech industry, and inspiring the next generation of female tech entrepreneurs.
[1] https://www.womenintheboard.org/wib-research/women-in-business-leadership-global-report-2020 [2] https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/117/218410.html [3] https://www.xspark.co.za/ [4] https://www.sabkickstart.co.za/winners [5] https://www.huawei.com/en/community/women-in-tech/ [6] https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/117/218410.html [7] https://www.techfinancials.co.za/news/south-african-startup-x-spark-launches-tikibox-digital-payment-solution/
