cnn.com - (CNN)

In the male-dominated world of startups and entrepreneurship, two young women are showing initiative to give the next generation of African female business leaders a fighting chance.

She Leads Africa, a platform founded by Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei offering knowledge and support to female entrepreneurs, has launched a pitch competition aimed at startups operating on the continent and diaspora.

Following the success of last year's inaugural edition, the 2015 Entrepreneur Showcase is now down to its six finalists, who will pitch their businesses in front of some of Africa's leading executives.

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurship across the world at 27%, but most of these businesses tend to have no employees and low growth expectations: they are, for the most part, one-woman enterprises oriented to consumers.

Furthermore, startup competitions or accelerators in Africa never attract more than 30% female participation. While this is in line with Europe and the U.S., Belo-Osagie and Osei believe that Africa could do better and become a pioneer in how to develop diverse and inclusive ecosystems.

We spoke with them to find out more.