Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh didn’t set out to make history, but she did. As the first African woman to serve as IBM’s Executive Director for North, East, and West Africa, she became a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, overseeing digital transformation across 35 countries, according to Business Insider.
Later, she took on a pivotal role at Microsoft Africa, further cementing her influence in shaping the continent’s tech landscape. Today, she is channeling her expertise into her own venture, Brainwave AfricaTech, proving that innovation and leadership know no limits.
Her journey began far from the boardrooms of global tech giants. Born in Ghana’s capital Accra and raised in a disciplined academic environment– her mother was a headmistress—Kyerematen-Jimoh developed resilience early. A year abroad in Belgium through an exchange program sharpened her fluency in French, a skill that would later aid her multinational career. By the time she graduated from university, she was already a mother of two, balancing family life with ambition.
Her career took an unexpected turn from banking to technology. After excelling in marketing roles at financial institutions, a client’s suggestion led her to IBM, despite initial hesitation. She immersed herself in learning, rising from marketing lead for West Africa to strategy lead for Central, East, and West Africa, as per Business Insider.
When she was appointed IBM’s first female Country General Manager for Ghana, the significance of the milestone only struck her later. For Kyerematen-Jimoh, the focus was always on the work, not the title.
Transitioning to Microsoft, she led strategic partnerships for the Africa Transformation Office, gaining insights that would inspire her next chapter. In January 2025, she launched Brainwave AfricaTech, a consultancy driving digital transformation through collaborations with industry leaders like Microsoft and IBM.
“I opened the office [Brainwave office] sometime in mid-January, but this whole idea started when I was at Microsoft,” Kyerematen-Jimoh said to Business Insider. “I got to a point in my career where I needed a new direction, and everything pointed to the fact that I needed a change. I was waiting on God and asking, ‘What’s next for me?'”
“I’ve never really wanted to be an entrepreneur, but one day, while praying and talking to God, I had a brainwave. The Holy Spirit was very clear—it was time for me to start my own company. I would still be working with IBM and Microsoft, but as a business partner. That’s why I call it Brainwave Africa Tech. The moment I entertained that thought, I was at peace.”
Beyond corporate projects, she is passionate about nurturing the next generation through initiatives like the AI Explorers Club, which introduces children aged 8 to 15 to artificial intelligence.
Balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood has required discipline. Her two sons, now adults, remain a priority, and she leans on a strong support system. Kyerematen-Jimoh rejects the notion that women must conform to society’s definition of success. Instead, she advocates for defining one’s own version of fulfillment—whether it’s career achievements, family, or personal growth, according to Business Insider.
Reflecting on challenges, she acknowledges the hurdles she faced as a woman in leadership but views them as catalysts for growth. While progress has been made in female representation, she urges the media to spotlight more success stories, shifting the narrative from limitations to possibilities.
To aspiring women in tech and entrepreneurship, she offers a simple yet profound mantra: believe unshakably in yourself and trust in a higher purpose.
