The 2025 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition invites female entrepreneurs across the continent to showcase and scale their ventures. Designed by KPMG Advisory Services Limited, the competition supports high-growth, women-led businesses in sectors such as technology, health, agriculture, and more.
Competition Overview: Supporting Growth at Every Stage
The competition targets ventures at three stages of growth:
Early Stage Ventures: 1–5 years in operation
Growth Stage Ventures: 5–10 years in operation
Mature Stage Ventures: Over 10 years in operation
To qualify, businesses must be majority female-owned, tech-enabled, and registered in a participating African country. Applicants should have operated for at least one year and not be majority-owned by a corporate entity. All participants must pitch in English and be available for regional and final events in 2025.
How to Apply and Compete
Entrepreneurs can apply by submitting an online application with business and personal details. A panel of industry experts will review entries and select regional finalists. These finalists will pitch at regional events, and the top performers will move on to compete for the title of “Best Female Founder” in their respective business stages.
What Participants Will Gain
KPMG provides several key benefits to participating founders:
Mentorship Access: Personalized guidance from experienced industry leaders
Investor Connections: Direct access to potential investors looking for innovative African ventures
Brand Visibility: Opportunities for brand profiling and public recognition
Community Access: Integration into a pan-African network of female entrepreneurs and stakeholders
Finalists will also receive exclusive invitations to KPMG events and the right to market their company as a 2025 KPMG Private Enterprise Africa Female Founder of the Year.
Regional Participation: A Pan-African Reach
The competition spans multiple regions:
Southern Africa: Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
West Africa: Nigeria and Ghana
East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
KPMG may host regional and final events virtually or in person, depending on conditions at the time.
Why This Competition Matters
The 2025 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition gives African women the platform they need to scale, connect, and lead. By highlighting and investing in women-led ventures, the initiative contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem on the continent.