inspire impact

Women in
Tech

Empowering women-led tech enabled businesses to create sustainable solutions across Zambia.

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about the programme

Empowering Women. Advancing Tech. Transforming Communities.

The Women in Tech Zambia programme, implemented by BongoHive Innovations, is an accelerator programme designed to support women-led, tech-based and tech-enabled businesses in Zambia. The programme combines world-class training, strategic mentorship, and equity-free funding to help female entrepreneurs grow their startups and scale sustainable solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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programme benefits

What you'll receive

3-Month acceleration

Structured programme designed to strengthen your business operations, strategy, and growth.

Professional Mentorship

1-on-1 guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts tailored to your business needs.

Technical & Business Support

Access to legal, financial, accounting, and technology services to enhance key areas of your business.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential partners to expand your professional network.

Media Exposure

Opportunities to showcase your business through press coverage, programme features, and public events.

Seed Funding Grant

Five selected businesses will each receive a $10,000 grant to support implementation and growth.

Post-Programme Support

Six months of continued support to assist with go-to-market strategies and scaling.

Alumni Community

Join the Standard Chartered Women in Tech & BongoHive Alumni Network for ongoing learning, collaboration, and access to new opportunities.

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Eligibility

Who can apply?

Registered Microbusiness

Legally registered, for-profit business with fewer than 10 employees.

Based in Zambia

Headquartered and fully operating within Zambia.

Revenue Generating

Actively generating revenue, with less than $100k in annual revenue.

MVP Stage

Must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and raised less than $500k in equity.

Validated Business

Meaningful customer or business validation — pilots, user traction, or strategic partnerships (with proof).

Female-Led

At least one female founder with an equal or majority stake, and one full-time founder based in Zambia.

Tech-Based or Enabled

Technology must be central to or meaningfully enable the business model or delivery.

Programme Availability

Available to undertake all programme activities from 8 June 2026 – 12 February 2027.

Empowering women
with digital solutions

timeline

Programme Schedule

  • Applications Open

    25 March 2026

  • Applications Close

    13 May 2026

  • Top 20 Selection

    14 May - 2 June 2026

  • Top 20 Bootcamp

    8 June - 17 June 2026

  • Top 20 Pitch Day

    17 June 2026

  • Top 10 Announcement

    19 June 2026

  • Acceleration Phase

    22 June - 11 September 2026

  • Demo Day

    24 September 2026

  • Post Programme Support

    29 September - 12 February 2027
Programme Criteria

Our focus for this cohort

Zambia's digital economy is growing — but the gap remains

92%

Mobile penetration
in Zambia

33%

Active internet users — a massive untapped market

$48M

Raised by women-led startups vs $2B+ by male-led counterparts
Despite Zambia’s digital growth, women founders still face a massive funding and support gap. We are closing this divide by supporting startups that move beyond being merely digitally assisted to being digitally driven. For Cohort 6, we seek founders using technology as a structural growth multiplier to solve real economic and social inefficiencies.

Open to all sectors. Focused on real impact.

We welcome applications from women-led, tech-enabled businesses tackling social, economic, or environmental challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are sector-agnostic — if your business uses technology to create meaningful change, we want to hear from you.

We are especially interested in businesses that are already generating revenue, have validated their model with real customers, and are ready to scale.

Inclusive by design. We strongly encourage applications from women entrepreneurs living with disabilities, or building solutions for people living with disabilities.

Defining Tech-Based

A business is Tech-Based if its primary product or service is the technology itself, where the entire business model collapses if the technology is removed. These are often B2C or B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, platform businesses, or deep tech companies.
Examples:
  • Proprietary Software: Developing and selling a unique, cloud-based platform for farm management, financial inclusion, or health diagnostics.
  • Platform/Marketplace: Operating a two-sided digital platform that facilitates transactions or interactions as its core value offering (e.g., a digital payments platform, an e-commerce site).
  • Deep Tech: Businesses built on advanced scientific research or significant engineering innovation (e.g., AI/ML models, biotech, advanced robotics).

Technology must be structural, not incidental

We are not looking for technology as an add-on. Your business must use technology to solve at least one of these three challenges:

1. Market Access

Using proprietary or integrated digital platforms to bypass middlemen and connect directly with markets or customers (For example, an agri-trade marketplace, a B2B ordering platform, or a digital logistics solution.

2. Operational Scalability
Replacing manual, paper-based administration with automated, cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), or inventory systems that allow the business to grow without a 1:1 increase in headcount. This means the technology is already embedded in daily operations — not planned for the future.
3. Data Intelligence & AI Integration

Using digital data and AI-driven tools to secure credit, predict inventory needs, personalise customer experiences, or optimise service delivery moving from reactive to predictive business management. This includes businesses that are currently integrating AI into their operations, as well as those with a clear, credible roadmap to do so, where the application of AI would materially strengthen their business model.

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Advisory Board

Expert guidance

Trevor Hambayi​Senior Managing Partner, Development Finance Associates​
Trevor Hambayi​
Nambula Kachumi​Executive Director , WEAC​
Nambula Kachumi​
Alessandra Martini​Co-founder & COO, Union 54​
Alessandra Martini​
Muma NgambiProject Lead,
Open Capital Advisors
Muma Ngambi
Phoebe Musonda​Director, International Direct Fufillment Amazon​
Phoebe Musonda​
Syreeta Chitengi​General Manager - Zambia Cluster, Yara International
Syreeta Chitengi​
Vwanganji BowaCEO, Mighty Fin
Vwanganji Bowa
Brenda WangariIndependent Consultant
Brenda Wangari
Jesse KarugaInvestment Analyst, Village Capital
Jesse Karuga
Ndita MulimbeniNational Coordinator, Zambia Business Angels Network
Ndita Mulimbeni
Simunza MuyanganaDirector Entrepreneurship, BongoHive
Simunza Muyangana
Testimonials

Stories of success

Testimonies from Cohort 4

"Participating in the Women in Tech Zambia programme has been a truly transformative experience for me. As the co-founder of Cherry Pick, the programme has expanded my knowledge, strengthened my confidence, and connected me to a powerful network of women driving change in the tech ecosystem. I have gained practical skills and developed a clearer vision of how to leverage technology to create meaningful impact in both my business and community. I am proud to be part of a movement that is empowering women to lead, innovate, and shape the future."
Zama BbukuCherry-Pick Limited
Zama Bbuku
"The Women in Tech Zambia programme has been a true game-changer for me. As the founder of Kulanda House, the experience was both educational and positively challenging, pushing us to grow into new spaces and unlock opportunities within Zambia and beyond. I continue to apply the programme’s lessons and resources in my work, and I now use this knowledge to guide and support other entrepreneurs. It has been an incredibly impactful journey."
Kapampa MwapeKulanda Publishing House
Kapampa Mwape
"The Women in Tech Zambia programme has really helped me understand how to grow a business in a steady and intentional way. I’ve learned a lot about the legal side of running a company, what it takes to be investor-ready and how to build tech solutions that actually solve real market needs. More than anything, I’ve found a community of entrepreneurs who inspire me and make the journey feel less isolating."
Susan ChishimbaCorelink Consulting Limited
Susan Chishimba
"The Women in Tech Zambia programme has been a game-changer for Goodleaf. We now have a full digital lending platform, including an online loan application, a loan management system, and direct deduction integration for government employees. This has significantly reduced our default risk and positioned us for scalable, data-driven growth."
Tsitsi ZuluGoodleaf Investment Limited
Tsitsi Zulu
"Being part of the Women in Tech Zambia 2025 programme has been transformative. It gave me practical skills, confidence, and a supportive network that have accelerated my growth in tech and innovation. The programme inspired me to lead with purpose and pursue solutions that create real impact in my community. I’m grateful to be part of this incredible network of women driving change. Thank you to the BongoHive team and Standard Chartered."
Niza Aritha ZuluBio Green Technology
Niza Aritha Zulu

contact

Get in touch

contact

+260 95 530 1752

Email

[email protected]

Visit Us

BongoHive Technology & Innovation Hub
6th Floor, ZEP-RE Business Park
Alick Nkhata Road, Lusaka, Zambia

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Terms and Conditions

  • Please read the following Terms and Conditions of the programme carefully before registering or using the website. All users of this web page consent that accessing and taking information from this website will be done according to the Terms and Conditions.
  • Terms and Conditions PDF