Now you see them, now you don’t: Will technological advancement erode the gains made by women entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Abstract As global economic activity gains momentum post-COVID-19, assessing local economic recovery remains essential for shaping policies that foster inclusive growth. In countries such as South Africa, which contends with enduring unemployment and significant inequality, cultivating economic resilience—particularly among Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) and female entrepreneurs—is essential. The pandemic highlighted the crucial importance of digital technology in business resilience, as digitally equipped enterprises adapted more efficiently. Currently, the focus on digital adoption is intensifying, highlighting the necessity for equal digital access to enable women entrepreneurs to fully engage and prosper in the digital economy. This study builds on the ‘Advancement of Women in Technology (AWT) Framework’ and the ‘Adaptive Efficacy Model’ (AEM) to explore the capacity and readiness of women entrepreneurs to integrate digital tools into their operations. Additionally, it investigates how engagement with STEM-related fields can be enhanced to support women’s digital skills development and foster long-term adaptability. The findings reveal ongoing challenges: women entrepreneurs who lacked the digital skills to adapt quickly during the pandemic often became reliant on external support, sometimes losing control over essential functions such as financial management and, in some cases, their business ownership. For many women in Sub-Saharan Africa, digital adoption is still largely confined to social media marketing, limited by gaps in digital literacy, technological infrastructure, and support systems. This study emphasises the ongoing necessity of digital transformation for women entrepreneurs and the gender inequalities that persist in influencing digital access and proficiency. This research highlights the gendered obstacles to digital integration, emphasising the necessity of promoting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, thereby addressing the digital gender divide amid rapid technological advancement.