Six African women have been named among the finalists for the 2025/26 She Shapes AI Global Awards, highlighting the continent’s growing influence in building responsible and impactful artificial intelligence solutions. Launched in 2024, the annual awards recognise female entrepreneurs and leaders who are using AI to solve real-world problems and deliver measurable results.
The recognition of these finalists is a strong signal of how African innovation is shaping global conversations around AI. Their work spans critical sectors including education, food systems, healthcare, safety and policy, showing how technology can be applied in practical ways to improve lives and strengthen systems.
Driving Real Impact Across Key Sectors
In the AI + Education category, Mumbe Mwangangi, CEO of Nyansapo AI in Kenya, is being recognised for her work in improving foundational education. Her platform uses speech recognition, computer vision and predictive analytics to help teachers assess literacy and numeracy in real time. This allows early intervention for learners and supports better outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.
In AI + Food, Dinah Buyeke Masanda, Founder and CEO of Urban Roots in Kenya, is addressing challenges in agriculture. Her AI platform combines sensors, satellite data and analytics to help smallholder farmers monitor soil health, optimise water use and build resilience against climate change while protecting biodiversity. Her work directly supports food security and sustainable farming.
The AI + Health category includes Ghislaine Zinzindohoue, Co-founder of Ayooka in Benin. She is helping to strengthen healthcare systems through an AI-driven blood transfusion management platform. The system improves supply predictability, reduces shortages and enhances patient safety, addressing a critical gap in healthcare delivery.
In the AI + Safety category, two African women have been recognised. Eman Metwally, Founder of SheShield in Egypt, is working at the intersection of cybersecurity and social protection. She trains women and public institutions across the MENA region to respond to AI-driven threats such as deep fakes and online abuse. Her approach focuses on human-centred protection and digital resilience.
Also in AI + Safety, Naadiya Moosajee, CEO of Cybherfence in South Africa, is supporting small and medium enterprises with AI-powered cybersecurity tools. Her platform offers affordable vulnerability diagnostics and proactive protection, helping businesses strengthen their digital security in an increasingly complex threat environment.
Expanding Influence Beyond Technology
Beyond technical applications, African leadership is also shaping how AI is governed and understood. In the Thought Leadership in AI category, Maha Jouini from Tunisia is being recognised for her work in AI ethics and policy. As an advocate at The Global Center on AI Governance, she promotes a decolonial approach, ensuring that African, Arab and Muslim perspectives are included in global AI discussions through research, writing and public engagement.
Dinah Buyeke Masanda’s second recognition comes in the AI + Wild Card category for her work with Project GLO in Kenya. This platform uses multilingual conversational AI to connect homeless women and children with shelters, legal aid, counselling and job opportunities. The solution is built around dignity and consent, addressing social challenges in a practical and inclusive way.
Winners of the 2025/26 She Shapes AI Global Awards will be announced in London on 16 April during the She Shapes AI Conference and Awards Ceremony, hosted in partnership with LSE Generate.
The presence of these African finalists highlights a clear trend. AI innovation from the continent is not only growing but is also focused on solving real problems. From classrooms and farms to hospitals and digital spaces, these women are building solutions that can scale, create impact and influence how AI is developed and used globally.
