Women are critical agents of climate resilience, yet remain underrepresented in the very innovations shaping our future. Although they make up a large share of the workforce in climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, and waste, less than 20% of climate-focused startups have a woman on their founding team and women-led ventures receive under 10% of climate finance.
This Gender Brief highlights the untapped opportunity to accelerate climate action by embedding gender inclusion into African startups and investment strategies.
Drawing on insights from climate entrepreneurs and investors across Africa, it showcases how gender-inclusive solutions deliver stronger adoption, performance, and resilience, while outlining concrete steps funders and founders can take to close gaps in financing, data, and intentional design.
