Today we’d like to introduce you to Unoma Okoroafor.
Unoma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I founded the Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (WAAW) Foundation back in 2007, right in the middle of my PhD studies in Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University. My reasons for starting it were deeply personal and driven by a desire for change.
First, I experienced profound personal isolation. Being the only woman of color in my graduate program was incredibly lonely. I navigated a largely male-dominated field and I craved a support network, not just for myself, but for other women who might feel the same way.
Second, I wanted to change the prevailing narrative about Africa. I was troubled by how the media often portrayed the continent as backward and poverty-stricken. Witnessing the rise of tech giants like Google and Amazon, I clearly saw the potential: by empowering African women with STEM skills, we could foster innovation and help entire communities climb out of poverty.
The journey began humbly. I funded our first scholarship with just $500 from my own graduate student stipends. We launched a simple website, and to my amazement, we received over 400 applications in that very first year.
My own career path laid the groundwork for this initiative. I earned my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos in 1998, followed by my M.Sc. from Rice University and my PhD from Texas A&M. Professionally, I gained extensive experience in technical leadership roles at Texas Instruments and working in research labs for industry leaders such as Intel, HP, and IBM.
Today, I’m proud to say the mission has scaled significantly. As of 2025, I remain a prominent voice in global social entrepreneurship. The WAAW Foundation has established 112 STEM chapters across 29 African countries, reaching over 50,000 girls through our outreach programs alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A Massive Gap in Resources: That first year, we received over 400 applications. Reading the stories of orphans and girls struggling against incredible odds broke my heart, especially knowing how little it actually cost to change their lives. Even as we grew, we faced a world that often overlooks community-led initiatives in Africa. We had to prove that small, targeted investments in local girls could ripple into massive economic shifts.
Today, WAAW has expanded to 112 university chapters across 29 African countries, impacting thousands of women in STEM annually.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Apart from WAAW Foundation, I’m also the Founder of Herbal Goodness, a company that brings impactful superfood products to the global market.
At herbal goodness, we are involved in every step—from working directly with our farmers to the final product on your shelf.
What truly makes us different is we are impact driven. A significant portion of our profits goes directly to the WAAW Foundation.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is to see a world where African women are global leaders and innovators, shaping communities, owning sustainable tech ventures, and being at the forefront of Africa’s transformation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.waawfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/waawfoundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WAAWFoundation/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/waawfoundation/
