The just-concluded TLcom African Female Tech Founders Summit 2025, themed “Turning the Tide: Riding the Next Growth Wave,” brought together some of the most inspiring women shaping Africa’s tech and innovation landscape.
One of the major highlights of the summit was the panel session on “Scaling Operations for Global Growth,” moderated by Aniekeme Umoh, Group Chief Operating Officer at The uLesson Group comprising ulesson K12 and Miva Open University.
The session featured a lineup of powerhouse women — Miishe Addy-Asare, CEO of Jetstream; Tomilola Majekodunmi, Founder and Growth Strategist (formerly CEO of Bankly); and Enas Siam, Co-Founder and COO of Flextock.
Together, they explored what it really takes to scale a business from local success to global relevance, diving into four key areas: Leadership, Operations, Partnerships, and The Future of Scaling African Ventures.
Each founder shared deeply insightful lessons drawn from their unique journeys. One of the most memorable moments came when Miishe Addy-Asare shared an analogy about founders being either “foxes or hedgehogs.”
She explained that while foxes pursue many ideas at once, hedgehogs choose one big idea and focus on it with unwavering commitment. Her point was simple but profound: “The best founders are like hedgehogs; they stay focused on solving one core problem and keep refining their approach until they master it.”
That analogy stayed with everyone in the room. It captured the essence of the conversation: the balance between vision and focus, agility and discipline, bold dreams and steady execution.
The energy in the room was both inspiring and grounding. Every founder on that stage reflected what’s possible when women lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. It was a timely reminder that Africa’s next wave of growth will be led by women who not only build but also scale with purpose.
As the discussion wrapped up, the collective message was clear: we are not waiting for the tide to turn; we are turning it ourselves.
About TLcom Capital
TLcom Capital is a leading venture capital firm investing in technology-driven businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. With offices in Lagos, Nairobi, and London, TLcom partners with visionary founders who are solving real problems and driving scalable impact in sectors like education, fintech, logistics, and agriculture. Beyond funding, TLcom supports its portfolio companies with strategic guidance to help them grow sustainably and compete globally.
About The uLesson Group
The uLesson Group is a leading African education technology company committed to transforming learning outcomes across the continent. Through its ecosystem, including uLesson Education and Miva Open University, the group is making high-quality education accessible, engaging, and relevant. Founded in 2019, by serial entrepreneur Sim Shagaya, uLesson continues to innovate at the intersection of learning and technology, empowering students to thrive and reach their full potential.
Warmly,
Team Aniekeme
