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“African Development Bank Group is committed to accelerating women entrepreneurs’ ability to access finance by unlocking up to $5 billion by 2026.”
Esther Dassanou, Manager, Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), African Development Bank Group
“The African Development Bank, through its AFAWA initiative, is committed to accelerating women entrepreneurs’ ability to access finance and the required knowledge to get back on their growth path.”
Marieme Esther Dassanou, Manager, Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), African Development Bank Group
“What gives me the most satisfaction is that I enjoy what I do, I learn every day, I challenge myself to improve.”
Sara Bouazza, founder, SOSdigital (Morocco)
“It is how well you learn from your failure and how quickly you recover from it that will build your success.”
Kah Walla, founder, STRATEGIES! (Cameroon)
“My aspirations are to see more local companies being able to provide services to the major projects, especially in the Oil & Gas Sector and less dependent on the external markets.”
Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
“Remember your dream is big and it won’t take a day to build, hence you must persevere and be patient. You are a winner!”
Millicent Motsoeri, founder, Heita Ngamla Holidays (South Africa)
“Our company is a family, which grows and strengthens itself, and this expands our horizons constantly.”
Leidemara Ramos, co-founder, Resermar Reservas Online (Cape Verde)
“It is my desire that partnership and collaborations are made between our home-grown African brands and more established foreign brands”
Bella Ikeme, founder, ASPIRE Luxury Magazine (Nigeria)
“I get satisfaction when I see women move out of their comfort zone, face their fears, and create a life full of purpose”
Marta Mulongo, founder, MM Coaching (Mozambique)
“My big dream would be to become the Coco Chanel of Africa. It doesn’t get bigger than that.”
Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)
“Your life has a purpose. Your story is important. Your dreams count.”
Agnes Chikukwa Hove, founder, Sequor Consulting (South Africa)
“What gives me the most satisfaction is being able to create something which can be a legacy business for my children and my children’s children.”
Zamaswazi Mfisi, founder, Indilang (South Africa)
“My vision is to champion new ideas that transform society’s systems, provide benefits for everyone and improve the lives of millions of people.”
Catherine Mahugu, founder of Chiswara (Kenya)
“My vision of taking ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods onto the international scene and ensuring they can compete favorably with their global counterparts, is what drives me to attain more.”
Olubukola Asafa, founder, Oba Couture (Nigeria)
“What makes us special is our commitment to maintain quality in everything we do.”
Emily Kandanga, Lwando Mufune and Lwimba Mufune, co-founders of Sweat Fitness (Namibia)
“Creating a niche for yourself and your business is key.”
Cindy Maleombho-Codo, founder of Indoka Creative (Cote d’Ivoire)
“Together we can change the world, without the help of Government, and be proud of what we are doing or producing.”
Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike, founder of JMM Beekeeping (Lesotho)
“We are meaning makers who generate wealth for all through inspiration, innovation and unwavering resolve.”
Kerryne Krause, founder and CEO, I-Slices Innovations (South Africa)
“My dream is to be part of my country's growth on a level where everything can be sourced locally.”
Eugenia Langa, founder, Nweba (Mozambique)
“I am passionate about South Africa. We live in a country of wealth and abundance and it’s up to us as entrepreneurs to ensure this country goes from strength to strength.”
Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s (South Africa)
“Our vision is to be the supply chain engine for healthcare systems across Africa and save the lives of 1 million Africans in the next 10 years.”
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder, Lifebank (Nigeria)
“I hope to continue filling the gaps that still exist in the local cosmetics space.”
Suzie Wokabi, founder of SuzieBeauty, Kenya
“Self-care equals self-leadership. By making more space for yourself, you achieve more, not less.”
Lori Milner, founder, Beyond the Dress (South Africa)
“My greatest satisfaction is championing women economic empowerment initiatives in mentorship, linking women businesses to corporate supply chains for their growth.”
Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, founder, DDNS Security Operations (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe
“I changed the narrative and became the exception. Driven by a strong conviction to create impact at the grassroots by focusing on local homegrown solutions to environmental challenges or problems in the community.”
Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro, founder, MitiMeth (Nigeria)
“Ditch the guilt, the hatred, the regrets, the baggage. What is done is done and there is nothing you can do to change it.”
Sylvia Walker, author, Smart Woman, (South Africa)
“Whether you want to start a business or fulfill a particular dream, you are going to need the help of people and your team to get there and vice versa.”
Kimberly Addison, co-founder, '57 Chocolate (Ghana)
“Let your why ground you and guard you with persistence. Know that there is enough room for all of us to succeed, and join arms to walk together with others.”
Tlhologelo Mabelane, founder, MabuTribe (South Africa)
“You don’t learn how to walk from reading a book, neither can a book tell you exactly the steps to build your business.”
Laura Camacho, founder, Mixonian Institute (USA)