From women building technology to solve everyday problems to African entrepreneurs receiving international recognition, this week brought stories of innovation, leadership, creativity and impact. Here are the stories you may have missed.
Yinka Ogunbiyi Is Using Engineering to Rethink Hair Braiding
Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard alumna Yinka Ogunbiyi co-founded HaloBraid, a device designed to assist with the repetitive movements involved in braiding hair.
The idea emerged after she spent four days installing her own knotless braids during the COVID-19 lockdown. HaloBraid later won the $75,000 grand prize in the 2025 Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge.
Five Nigerian Women Receive $50,000 to Grow Their Technology Businesses
Five Nigerian women have each received $10,000 through the Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator, with their businesses offering technology-driven solutions to challenges in healthcare, accessibility, trade, education and event planning.
The winners emerged from the programme’s seventh cycle in Nigeria, delivered by Village Capital in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan-Atlantic University.
Jennifer Esiaba’s Mariam Grey Pharmacy uses AI-powered telepharmacy to improve access to medication and pharmacist consultations. Christine Imoukhuede’s Ahavaplan helps event planners manage clients and business operations, while Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya’s Adaptive Atelier develops accessibility solutions for digital experiences and connects businesses with disabled professionals.
Fara Popoola’s Proc360 helps small businesses trade with greater confidence through supplier verification, quality control and secure payments. Adejoke Haastrup’s Kidsthatcode equips children and teenagers with coding and digital skills through classes, mentorship, hackathons and project-based learning.
Dr Ola Brown Is the Only Nigerian Finalist for the 2026 AWIEF Impact for Good Award
Dr Ola Brown has emerged as the only Nigerian finalist for the 2026 Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Impact for Good Award.
Brown, a medical doctor turned investor and General Partner at HealthCap Africa, is one of three women shortlisted for the award, which recognises women whose work has created social and economic impact across Africa.
Brown’s nomination comes amid continuing challenges in financing healthcare businesses across Africa. Her work focuses on helping early-stage companies develop their products, strengthen their operations and grow into businesses capable of attracting larger investments.
Wawira Njiru Wins the 2026 German Africa Prize
Kenyan nutritionist and social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru has been named the 2026 laureate of the German Africa Prize for her work tackling child hunger through Food4Education.
Njiru founded the organisation in 2012 after recognising how hunger affected children’s ability to learn. While studying at Daystar University, she began preparing meals for 25 children. The initiative has since grown into a school-feeding programme providing meals to more than 660,000 children daily across 1,900 schools in Kenya.
Ijeoma Emezie-Ezigbo Becomes VFD Group’s First Deputy Managing Director
VFD Group Plc has appointed Ijeoma Emezie-Ezigbo as its first Deputy Managing Director, effective October 5, 2026.
She joins the investment company after serving as Partner and Head of Transaction Services for West Africa at KPMG Nigeria, bringing more than two decades of experience in corporate finance, transactions, business valuation and strategic management.
The appointment creates a new executive position within VFD Group’s leadership structure as the company continues to develop its long-term governance framework.
Dear Ajayi Becomes Nigeria’s Official Oscar Submission
Filmmaker Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi has been selected as Nigeria’s official submission for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
Set in 1990s southwestern Nigeria, the film follows two estranged sisters who reunite to care for their paralysed mother, confronting family tensions, faith and conflicting ambitions.
Mo Abudu Opens EbonyLife Place London
Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu has opened EbonyLife Place London, a cinema and cultural centre near Nine Elms dedicated to Black and African films.
The venue includes a 160-seat cinema, a Nigerian restaurant, a boutique featuring African and diaspora designers, and spaces for masterclasses and live performances.
The expansion creates another platform for African stories and creative work to reach audiences in the diaspora, while bringing film, food, fashion and cultural programming together under one roof.
Susan Pwajok Celebrates Her Mother
Nollywood actress Susan Pwajok celebrated her mother, Carol Pwajok, on her birthday on October 5, sharing photographs in tribute to the woman who raised and supported her as a single parent.
Susan became widely known for playing Blessing in The Johnsons and has continued to build her career in entertainment.
Her tribute offered a personal glimpse into the family support behind her journey, recognising a relationship that has played an important role in her life.
The Week in Perspective
From technology designed to make everyday tasks easier to investments supporting healthcare innovation, this week’s stories showed women applying their skills to problems that affect people’s lives and livelihoods..
