In 2019, women made up 29% of senior management roles worldwide, the highest percentage ever recorded. In Africa, the figure is slightly higher, but it still reflects the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, particularly within the tech sector.
While many focus on the question of how to encourage more African women to pursue careers in tech, Tsakane Ngoepe, Chief of Staff at M-KOPA, suggests that the conversation should also shift towards the structural challenges women face in advancing to leadership roles. In a recent discussion, she shared insights into her career journey and the experiences of being an African woman in a leadership position.
Career Journey
Ngoepe’s career took an unexpected turn during her university years. Initially pursuing a degree in actuarial science, she soon realized the subject was not for her, prompting her to switch to finance. Unlike her peers, who were eager to follow conventional career paths, Ngoepe felt drawn to something different – impact investing.
She found an opportunity at the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Cape Town, which was hiring for a project management role. Despite lacking the qualifications they required, she boldly applied, and was offered a different position. Over time, working as a consultant in impact investing led her to a desire to engage more deeply within an investment firm. This desire brought her to Nairobi in early 2017, where she joined AHL Venture Partners, a firm focused on impact investment.
After gaining valuable insights into the challenges businesses face, Ngoepe transitioned to M-KOPA, an asset financing platform. The company has raised over $185 million in funding, and Ngoepe found her calling in addressing challenges from within a company. When asked about her future, Ngoepe remarked, “I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 5-10 years, but I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Challenges in Male-Dominated Environments
The tech industry has long been a male-dominated space, and Ngoepe has encountered her share of challenges. She recalls many occasions where, as a woman, she was assumed to be an assistant merely there to take notes. Even when this assumption has improved, she still faces the challenge of being overlooked in decision-making discussions.
“I’ve often had situations where my male colleague is assumed to be the decision-maker, and all the questions are directed to him, rather than me,” she explained. “It can be disheartening, but my advice is not to back down when others underestimate you. It’s important to assert yourself and take the lead when necessary.”
Ngoepe emphasizes the connection between confidence and competence, stating that knowing your subject matter is key to earning respect in the workplace.
Encouraging More Women in Leadership
While there is a strong focus on bringing more women into the tech sector, Ngoepe points out that the real challenge lies in advancing them into leadership roles. She notes that companies often have a relatively balanced gender representation at the junior level, but as one moves up the corporate ladder, the diversity thins out significantly.
She believes that companies need to examine their work environments and identify what barriers exist that prevent women from rising to leadership positions. In her own experience, having mentors and sponsors who advocated for her has been instrumental in her success.
For women seeking mentorship, Ngoepe advises, “Don’t hesitate to ask for mentorship, and be specific about what you need. It might take a few attempts, but don’t give up.”
Ngoepe also cautions against the overemphasis on CEOs and founders in the African tech scene. She believes that more attention should be given to other critical roles, especially those in which women can thrive.
Broader Conversations on Leadership
Beyond increasing women’s representation in leadership, Tsakane Ngoepe also addressed broader business topics such as funding, balancing impact and commercial goals, and motivating teams in early-stage startups. These insights contribute to the ongoing conversation about how businesses can create more inclusive and effective leadership structures.
