Africa’s digital finance industry is evolving rapidly, but Mimi Kufuor believes women must play a greater role in determining what that future looks like.
The Group COO of KoinKoin Limited and CEO of KoinKoin Ghana says the industry has made progress in bringing more women into technology, fintech and blockchain, but representation at the highest levels remains insufficient.
Speaking to CoinAfrica, Kufuor argued that women need to move beyond simply participating in the industry and secure a place in the rooms where decisions about emerging financial technologies are being made.
“We still need to be in rooms where decisions are being made, where this sort of innovative technology is being discussed,” Kufuor said.
From a boys’ club to a more inclusive industry
Kufuor acknowledged that technical professions, including technology and financial services, have historically been dominated by men.
She said that dynamic is gradually changing as more women pursue STEM careers and enter industries that were previously perceived as male-dominated.
However, she acknowledged that the “boys’ club” mentality has not completely disappeared.
For women considering careers in blockchain and digital assets, she believes the perception that the industry is too technical or male-dominated should not become a barrier to entry.
Kufuor herself did not come from a digital-assets background before moving into the sector. She said much of what she knows has been learned along the way, reflecting the evolving nature of the industry.
“We’re all learning,” she said, noting that blockchain and digital assets remain relatively new fields whose participants are still helping shape how the industry develops.
Women need communities and support
Kufuor believes greater female participation will require women to support one another and create communities where aspiring professionals can develop their careers.
She encouraged women already working in technology, fintech and blockchain to help others navigate the industry and connect them with opportunities.
She also pointed to the importance of networks and relationships in helping women access positions they might otherwise struggle to reach.
For women curious about blockchain, her message was straightforward: learn, connect and participate.
She encouraged women not to be discouraged by the technical nature of the industry, arguing that the skills required can be acquired progressively.
You may also like: Mimi Kufuor: Clear Crypto Regulation Could Unlock Africa’s Next Financial Infrastructure
Men also have a role to play
Kufuor’s argument extends beyond women supporting women.
She said men must also actively contribute to increasing female representation in leadership.
According to Kufuor, men should not only mentor women but also sponsor them for leadership opportunities.
“Men need to mentor women into these leadership positions. They also need to sponsor women into these leadership positions.”
For Kufuor, sponsorship means actively creating opportunities and opening doors, rather than simply offering advice.
She said organisations and industry leaders need to ensure that women are considered for the same leadership opportunities as their male colleagues.
Representation where decisions are made
For Kufuor, the issue ultimately goes beyond having more women working in blockchain companies.
The more important question is whether women are represented in the places where the industry’s direction is being determined.
As African markets develop regulatory frameworks, financial infrastructure and new applications for blockchain and digital assets, decisions made today could influence how the continent’s digital economy develops for years to come.
Kufuor believes women should therefore be part of those conversations.
Her own career demonstrates the possibility of moving into digital assets from a traditional finance background, while continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills.
She encouraged women interested in the sector to embrace that same approach rather than waiting until they feel completely qualified.
“It’s here”
Kufuor also rejected the idea that blockchain, fintech and digital finance are merely technologies for the distant future.
She argued that these technologies are already becoming part of everyday financial and technological life, making participation increasingly important.
Her advice to women is therefore not to wait for the industry to mature before getting involved.
“Be bold, go for it,” she said, encouraging women to take an interest in blockchain, fintech and technology while continuing to upskill.
Kufuor said she is also continuing to learn, take courses and develop her own skills as the industry evolves.
Ultimately, she sees female participation as an ongoing journey rather than a problem that can be solved through a single initiative.
“I know I don’t want to be left behind,” she said.
For Africa’s digital finance ecosystem, Kufuor’s argument is that women should not simply be present as the industry grows. They should help decide where it goes.
