This study examines how digital transformation shapes women entrepreneurs’ movement from exclusion to

the generative mechanisms linking context, affordance perception, and empowerment outcomes. Findings

reveal a stratified pattern of empowerment shaped by both enabling and constraining mechanisms. Working-

capital scarcity and infrastructure unreliability function as structural bottlenecks that limit the actualization of

digital affordances, while peer-based learning, training, and networked visibility mediate these constraints.

Algorithmic opacity and inconsistent platform governance emerged as hidden structures reinforcing unequal

visibility and dependence on paid promotion. Where enabling conditions aligned finance, connectivity, and

institutional support women experienced tangible empowerment outcomes such as increased market reach,

confidence, and decision autonomy. The study contributes by demonstrating that digital affordances are not

self-actualizing; they operate through layered mechanisms embedded in economic, technological, and socio-

cultural structures. Empirically, it offers contextual evidence of how women exercise agency within and

Digital technologies platform marketplaces, mobile money, social media marketing, and remote learning are

regularly framed as democratizing forces for entrepreneurship Kraus et al., 2018; Obschonka & Audretsch,

2019). Yet emerging evidence documents that women entrepreneurs often fail to reap the full benefits of

digitalization: disparities persist in revenue growth, market reach, (Ughetto et al., 2019) access to finance, and

sustainable scaling (McAdam et al., 2020). Increasingly, scholars contend that access to technology by itself is

insufficient for inclusion; instead, a conversion problem exists digital affordances become empowerment only

when mediated by enabling structures and individual/collective agency (Majchrzak, 2012)

In recent years, digital transformation’s role in empowering women entrepreneurs, specifically in Sub-Saharan

Africa, has gained increasing attention. The connection between entrepreneurship and digital technologies

presented several paths for fostering empowerment among women who traditionally have been marginalized in

been linked to the systemic socio-economic barriers and cultural expectations that give precedence to

barriers, there must be an understanding that implementing digital tools and platforms can empower women

with improved access to resources, information, and networks that are required for fruitful entrepreneurship

(Mulu et al., 2021; Peter & Orser, 2024). These digital solutions will help facilitate market access as well as

enhance visibility for women entrepreneurs, thus ensuring that they contribute to their overall economic

empowerment (Peter & Orser, 2024).

This research adopts a qualitative design to explore the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan

Africa as they navigate the domain of digital transformation. Using semi-structured questionnaires, this study

aims at gathering rich and contextual data that reflects their unique perspectives on empowerment through

Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping global business landscapes, offering significant opportunities

for women entrepreneurs to overcome traditional barriers (Group., 2022) Despite these potential benefits,

women often face challenges in accessing and leveraging digital tools effectively (Canton, 2021). Addressing

these disparities is crucial for fostering inclusive economic growth and empowerment (Kiril, 2020).

women's experiences in business (Langevang & Gough, 2012).

Affordance theory (Gibson, 2014) has been adapted in Information Systems (IS) to explain how technological

properties enable potential actions but also require social and organizational contexts for actualization

(Majchrzak, 2012). For women entrepreneurs, affordances such as remote market access, low-cost marketing

or mobile payments are opportunities that only become empowering when perceived and leveraged contingent

on training, legitimacy, and institutional supports.

feminist and institutional lenses allows us to examine both individual-level agency and meso-level structural

enablers.

In summary, literature seems to suggest that a holistic approach is required in relation to women's

entrepreneurship. This approach must take into consideration digital transformation as a multifaceted tool for

empowerment. It should also encompass policies that are supportive, educational initiatives, and a balanced

understanding of socio-cultural context which defines women's entrepreneurial experiences. This study

believes that this will be essential in reshaping the narrative around women entrepreneurs from exclusion to

empowerment through digital transformation.

affordances; outcomes; barriers and constraints; supports and networks; platform governance and automation;

agency and strategies; and recommendations. The instrument underwent expert review and light piloting for

content clarity. The complete instrument (column-labeled items) is reproduced in Appendix A.

For analysis, we combined inductive open coding with axial theming into Barriers, Enablers, and

Empowerment Outcomes. We then used retroductive reasoning a Critical Realist strategy to articulate

plausible mechanisms linking contextual conditions (e.g., capital, power/data, norms) to affordance perception,

action, and outcomes. Cross-case pattern matching assessed regularities and divergences. Credibility was

strengthened via a second-pass consistency check and theme summaries validated against the raw responses.

Code counts inform salience but do not substitute for explanation; interpretive priority is given to mechanistic

1. Finance → Infrastructure → Visibility Working-capital scarcity constrained inventory, ad spend, and

utilities (data/power), which in turn limited algorithmic visibility and conversion. Finance thus acts as an

upstream bottleneck that propagates into weaker online presence. “More women centered support in terms of

startup funds and structural support.” “8. I have used a lot of online/offline classes on marketing, finance and

content creation to build my business. And I have also formed good relationships with other vendors…”

2. Infrastructure Reliability as a Gatekeeper Unreliable electricity and mobile data interrupted service delivery

and customer engagement, diluting returns from otherwise effective social commerce tactics. Women adapted

by batching uploads, using generators when feasible, or shifting to lower-bandwidth channels; nonetheless,

outages repeatedly broke sales flows. “Yes Facebook gives me the most leverage as I have a supportive

4. Training and Peer Know-how Convert Features into Practice Where women accessed practical guidance

know how valuable it is” “Some trainings did help and some social media platforms.”

5. Platform Visibility and Governance Participants perceived that paid promotion improved reach, yet the rules

of visibility (ranking, verification, occasional suspensions) were opaque. This opacity made outcomes feel

contingent on factors beyond effort, especially for those unable to finance consistent ads.

“WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook for marketing and sales. Invoice bookkeeping app to track orders and

payments” “WhatsApp communities”

6. Suspensions, Verification, and Appeals A subset reported account challenges (verification hurdles, content

enough for the price am giving (calculated price), i have never experience account suspension.”

7. Conditional Empowerment Outcomes When affordances were supported—capital for stock and data,

reliable power, minimal governance friction women reported greater visibility, steadier sales, and confidence

engaging new markets. Where support was absent, outcomes plateaued despite high effort.

“Sunshine basket Nigeria, online grocery store, 4-year-old, main customers are those who want farm fresh

produce at great prices.” “WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook for marketing and sales. Invoice bookkeeping

content curation extends women’s unpaid work into the digital realm, blurring entrepreneurial autonomy with

constant availability. Yet, through reflexive agency, many participants negotiate these asymmetries by

Empirically, the study reaffirms that digital empowerment is conditional, not universal. It arises when social

and material support enable women to act upon technological affordances within constraining contexts.

Conceptually, this reinforces a Critical Realist-Feminist synthesis: empowerment emerges through the partial

activation of real but contingent affordances embedded in unequal structures.