Ghanaian mathematician Dr. Angela Tabiri has built a groundbreaking career in STEM, but the journey wasn’t without obstacles.
Speaking backstage at the Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, the founder of FemAfricMaths shared how she overcame societal biases that tried to discourage her from pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics before marriage.
“I was told that if you’re a woman and you get your Ph.D. in mathematics before you think of marriage, you will not find someone to marry because the Ph.D. will be a barrier,” Dr. Tabiri recalled. “They said no, but I also had the belief that the fact that I have a Ph.D. shouldn’t stop me.”
Undeterred by traditional expectations, Dr. Tabiri completed her doctorate, built a thriving career, and now has a family.
The Forbes 30/50 Summit was held from March 5 to March 8, 2025.
Breaking Barriers in STEM
Known as the “Maths Queen” in Ghana, Dr. Tabiri has made history in her field, becoming the first African to win The Big Internet Math Off competition—a global title awarded to mathematicians for their ability to explain complex concepts in innovative ways.
A quantum algebra researcher at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Dr. Tabiri is also the academic manager of AIMS-Ghana’s Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme, where she mentors young women and encourages them to break gender stereotypes in STEM.
Her nonprofit, FemAfricMaths, provides free math lessons to students across Africa and promotes the visibility of female mathematicians.
Inspired by Hidden Figures, the film about NASA’s Black female mathematicians, Dr. Tabiri has dedicated her career to making math accessible and inspiring the next generation.
As Ghana prepares to celebrate its role in the UN’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025, Dr. Tabiri is leading efforts to introduce African students to quantum science through initiatives like a Quantum Hackathon and a “quantum roadshow.”
Dr. Tabiri’s story is one of perseverance, proving that women can excel in STEM without compromising their personal lives.
