8 SEPTEMBER2026W MAN LEADERGLOBAL W MAN LEADERGLOBAL NEWS BITESBente Krogmann has taken charge as General Manager, Africa at bolttech, expanding on her role as GM Kenya, which she held from December 2025. She now oversees the insurtech firm's operations across East and South Africa, deepening collaboration between the regions and steering commercial growth continent-wide. Krogmann brings nearly seven years of experience as CEO of mTek Services, where she scaled a digital insurance platform, alongside senior roles at Alibhai Shariff & Sons, Wagner Möbel Manufaktur and Achelis Group. She also serves on the boards of Symbastone Group and Extreme Clean Carwash Kenya. Her appointment underscores the growing influence of women leaders in Africa's insurtech and digital economy sectors. A new African Development Bank report highlights a USD 42 billion financing gap facing women-owned businesses across Africa, limiting their ability to launch, expand and create jobs. The findings emerged as the Bank finalised its 2027­2031 Gender Action Plan alongside UN Women and the African Women Leaders Network. Dr Jemimah Njuki, the Bank's Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, stressed that closing this gap is central to Africa's economic resilience. The Bank's Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative has already channelled USD 3.1 billion through over 200 financial institutions towards its USD 5 billion target for women entrepreneurs continent-wide. Standard Chartered Foundation, Entlaq and Village Capital have launched the second Egypt edition of the Women in Tech Accelerator, selecting 12 women-founded companies for its 2026 cohort. Participants receive investment readiness training, mentoring and business development support, with three standout startups set to share USD 35,000 in equity-free grants. Entlaq Co-Founder Aya Ismail said the programme responds to an estimated USD 2.2 billion funding gap facing Egyptian women-led startups, alongside limited access to mentoring and investment networks. Since its launch, the global Women in Tech Accelerator has supported over 4,000 entrepreneurs across 17 countries, and 2026 funding will exceed USD 600,000 across 12 markets. BENTE KROGMANN TAKES CHARGE AS BOLTTECH'S AFRICA GMAFDB REPORT FLAGS $42 BILLION FUNDING GAP FOR AFRICAN WOMENEGYPT'S WOMEN IN TECH ACCELERATOR BACKS 12 FEMALE-LED STARTUPSLEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTSFUNDING & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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