Women’s Access to Chinese-Funded Digital Investments in Africa

Anita Plummer

Digital transformation in Africa, supported by Chinese investments, has the potential to enhance women’s economic empowerment. Women have served as important economic drivers in Africa, where 79% are self-employed in the informal sector, yet the internet usage gender gap remained between 36-38% from 2017 to 2020 (World Bank, 2023). However, the meaningful integration of digital technology in women’s economic lives is influenced by many factors–access, affordability, policy frameworks, institutional culture, and implementation, to name a few. This research examines how African governments can leverage Chinese-funded digital infrastructure to enhance women’s participation in agriculture and the service sectors by analyzing three areas: women’s economic activity in these sectors, Chinese-funded digital infrastructure, and government policy frameworks aimed at Africa’s digital transformation. Through comparative case studies of three African countries, this study argues that targeted policy frameworks, which take a bottom-up approach to addressing the specific barriers women face, combined with the strategic use of Chinese digital investments, can more effectively integrate women into digital spaces and harness their economic capacity. Policy recommendations emphasize gender-responsive approaches to digital inclusion that can transform women’s participation in Africa’s digital and real economies.

Key terms: digital transformation Africa, Chinese investment Africa, women digital economy Africa, women empowerment Africa, Fintech Africa, digital inclusion