In Africa’s boardrooms and universities, women are breaking records and reshaping power. Yet this success carries an unexpected challenge: many men are falling behind. For every female CEO climbing the corporate ladder, numerous brilliant women struggle to find partners who match their growth. This isn’t just about gender—it’s about Africa’s future.
This article calls upon African women, men, and leaders to celebrate daughters’ progress while nurturing sons’ potential. As the African proverb says, “A woman is a flower in a garden; her man is the fence around it.” When the drumbeat changes, so must the dance—this shift requires mutual support to avoid societal dysfunction.
The African Paradox: Leadership and Legacy
Africa’s story of female leadership presents a series of striking contrasts. Patriarchal systems have sometimes limited women’s education and economic independence. Nonetheless, our continent has celebrated powerful female leaders—from the Ashanti Queen Mothers to the warrior Candaces of Kush. Our women did not simply lead; they continually transformed societies.
The Modern Imbalance: A Tale of Two Dances
More women are graduating from numerous African universities. In the corporate sector, female executives are beginning to generate more revenue, sometimes more than their male counterparts. From Nairobi to Lagos, women are founding startups, leading multinational corporations, and overcoming generational curses of limitation.
Yet, in this same Africa, many men are falling behind. Many young men grapple with a sense of purpose, overwhelmed by outdated notions of masculinity. They feel adrift between the ancient wisdom of our fathers and the new rhythms of a changing world.
Tiger’s Whisper: A recent survey among female groups of professional women in Africa revealed that 72% face challenges finding partners who share their ambition and emotional maturity. One Lagos executive remarked, “I can run a company, but I find it difficult to meet a man who can participate in a meaningful conversation.”
Regional Rhythms: Different Drums, Same Dance
In West Africa, the contrast is sharpest in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. Female tech founders in Lagos are raising millions in venture capital, whilst young men are increasingly distancing themselves from the digital economy. In Ghana’s urban centres, women lead 43% of small and medium enterprises, yet male participation in entrepreneurship programmes has decreased by a third since 2019.
East Africa presents a unique version of the same narrative. In Kenya’s Nairobi Securities Exchange, companies led by women demonstrate 27% higher profit margins, while enrolment of males in business schools has declined for five consecutive years. Although Rwanda’s parliament may boast the world’s highest representation of women, its young men increasingly question their roles in this new order.
Southern Africa’s metropolitan areas reflect this trend. In Johannesburg’s financial district, women occupy 40% of senior management positions, yet headhunters note a diminishing pool of qualified male candidates for executive roles. Zimbabwe’s universities celebrate female success in graduation rates while facing rising male dropout rates.
*Tiger’s Whisper: From Lagos’s bustling streets to Johannesburg’s corporate towers, our sisters rise while our brothers retreat. Each city faces the same challenge with its accent.
The Sahel region offers perhaps the most striking example. In Mali and Burkina Faso, where traditional male roles once prevailed, women now spearhead crucial peace-building initiatives and economic recovery programmes. Meanwhile, young men, who were once the backbone of these societies, increasingly find themselves adrift, searching for purpose in a rapidly changing landscape.
The Root Causes of Male Underachievement
Male underachievement in Africa stems from multiple interconnected factors:
- Economic Shifts: The decline of industries traditionally dominated by men has left many men without clear career paths.
- Educational Disparities: Boys are more likely to drop out of school as girls are becoming increasingly motivated by education.
- Mental Health Stigma: Societal norms discourage men from seeking help, leading to untreated emotional struggles.
- Lack of Role Models: Many boys lack guidance to navigate modern challenges with fewer male mentors.
- Outdated Gender Expectations: Many young men feel trapped by traditional notions of masculinity, making it difficult to adapt to changing societal dynamics.
Employment Shock
Such programs succeed by addressing the needs of both genders and fostering mutual growth. They build environments where traditional roles evolve alongside modern demands, ensuring neither group feels left behind.
However, many African women who rise to the top and become captains of industry face challenges in finding male partners who either share their ambition or support it. Research indicates that many struggle to attract men who do not perceive them as a threat or are concerned about societal perceptions regarding them.
Practical Steps Forward: From Vision to Victory
This growing divide necessitates a proactive response. It begins at home, where vital lessons about collaboration and responsibility are taught. Your home is more than just a dwelling—it serves as a classroom for character development. When sons help with household tasks or community projects, they learn that true manhood involves contributing and caring.
Tiger’s Whisper: A mother’s cooperative started “Sunday Sons,” where boys cook alongside their mothers, learning recipes and respect. Today, their teenage boys teach younger ones that manhood is about skill, not stereotypes.
Tiger’s Roar
Do you desire better men? Help to BUILD THEM. Do you wish for equal partners? Contribute to RAISING THEM. Do you seek leaders? GUIDE THEM as our grandmothers did.
For Women Leaders:
- Mentor both young women and men.
- Create inclusive leadership programs.
- Champion balanced progress.
For Communities:
- Establish male excellence centres.
- Promote cross-gender mentorship programmes.
- Celebrate collaborative achievements.
For Policymakers:
- Fund gender-balanced development programmes.
- Create metrics for measuring balanced progress.
- Support traditional and modern leadership models.
The Path Forward: An African Renaissance
The African way does not leave anyone behind. It moves forward together. Let us create a future where our daughters soar while our sons rise. This isn’t just about gender equality—it’s about preserving the harmony that has made African societies thrive for millennia.
As we celebrate our daughters’ achievements, let us ensure our sons possess the tools, support, and inspiration to rise alongside them. Together, we can craft a narrative of progress, unity, and shared success.