The Queen of African Tech: Rebecca Enonchong’s journey

When discussing technology and innovation, our minds often turn to places like Silicon Valley or China, along with the prominent male billionaires who frequently grace our TV screens and social media platforms.
Yet, Rebecca Enonchong stands as an exception—an African tech expert and the CEO of AppsTech. Her journey is one of determination and exceptional accomplishment. Rebecca Enonchong emerges as multi award-winning social entrepreneur and a globally recognized tech icon.
In 2002, during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Rebecca Enonchong was named as a future leader, alongside notable figures such as Google’s Larry Page and Salesforce.com’s Marc Benioff.
Her impressive achievements include making finals on the African Digital Woman Award in 2013 and making the Forbes‘ list of ’10 Female Tech Founders to Watch in Africa’ in 2014.

Meet Rebecca Enonchong.

Born on July 14, 1967, in Cameroon, Rebecca Enonchong comes from a family of accomplished individuals. Her father, Dr. Henry Ndifor Abi Enonchong, established a respected reputation as a lawyer, while her mother, Julienne Owona, devoted her career to education and advocacy.
Rebecca’s journey commenced amidst challenges; an experience shared by many born on the continent.
The regional environment wasn’t always conducive to nurturing a gifted child like Rebecca, who possessed an astute intellect and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Her passion for learning prompted her family to relocate to the United States, where she pursued a degree in Economics at the Catholic University of America.
Her initial taste of success arrived at 15 when she secured a door-to-door newspaper subscription sales job. Within two years, she ascended to the role of manager within the same company, achieving this milestone at 17.

Her Noteworthy Accomplishments.

After completing her studies, Rebecca entered the corporate world, she worked with many multinational organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the tech giant Oracle Corporation.
In 1999, founded her own company, AppsTech, operating from the United States. AppsTech’s global success was evident as it expanded its reach to over 40 countries, including her native Cameroon.
Rebecca also gained prominence as a leading voice in African tech news on social media, amassing an impressive following of over 30,000 individuals. Her online persona, @Africatechie, became synonymous with her within the IT community.

Rebecca’s journey unfolds like a captivating narrative, marked by numerous achievements that underscore her influence. Her aspirations extended beyond personal success; she co-founded the African Fintech Network, a hub for tech entrepreneurs throughout Africa.
Her ingenuity and leadership propelled her into the ranks of the “100 Most Influential Africans,” ultimately earning her the prestigious “African Digital Woman of the Year” award.

Confronting Challenges.

In a tech landscape historically dominated by men, persisting stereotypes that deemed women unsuitable for tech pursuits presented significant obstacles for Rebecca. Her efforts were often met with skepticism due to her gender and African background. Nonetheless, she remained undeterred.
In August 2021, Rebecca Enonchong encountered yet another challenge when she was arrested and detained in Douala. Her legal team strongly criticized the judicial system for its “serious abuse of authority.” Nevertheless, she remained steadfast.
On August 13, Enonchong utilized her former Twitter account, now known as X, to announce her release and disclose that all charges against her had been dropped.

A Fulfilling Conclusion.

Rebecca Enonchong’s journey mirrors a triumphant fairy tale. Despite her numerous accomplishments in the tech world, Rebecca’s humility and commitment to the continent have remained unwavering. She has dedicated her career to advancing technology in Africa, co-founding the Africa Technology Forum, a nonprofit organization that empowers African tech startups.
Beyond the continent’s borders, Rebecca has become a global icon, assuming various roles within institutions worldwide.
She serves on several boards, including the Salesforce.com Foundation, VC4Africa, and the UK Department for International Development’s Digital Advisory Panel.
She also contributed to the UN’s Women Global Advisory Committee and the United Nations ICT Task Force.
Rebecca truly embodies the spirit of pursuing one’s dreams without faltering. The thriving tech industry in Africa is indebted to her unwavering belief in her goals and determination to succeed.