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Celebrating Africa’s Inspirational Women Social Entrepreneurs in January

January 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lionesses of Africa is celebrating Africa’s women social entrepreneurs this January. During this month we will feature the continent's leading social-preneurs and bring you the latest news on the rise of social enterprises that are focused on making Africa a better place.

  

At Lionesses of Africa, we have been so inspired by the stories of the incredible women social entrepreneurs who are making a real difference to the lives of others across the African continent. These women all share something in common – a passionate and unwavering belief that through their innovative business approaches, they can make change happen for the better. Whether the challenge is to find a sustainable solution to the problem of trash clogging up the streets in the communities of Nigeria (WeCyclers); or finding an innovative way of unlocking the potential of children in Ghana (Devio Arts Center; or addressing the quadruple problems of climate change, poverty, unemployment and rural-urban migration amongst youth in Ghana (Afrocentric Bamboo and the Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative); or an innovative solution to the problem of invasive aquatic weeds taking over the waterways of Nigeria (Mitimeth). These African women social entrepreneurs are practically demonstrating that they have a key role to play in a part of the world still characterized by severe socio-economic problems. We love what these and so many other African women social entrepreneurs are doing and, as a result, we are dedicating the month of January as Social Entrepreneurship Month, and to telling their stories and sharing their vision for a better world. 

Around the African continent, women social entrepreneurs are leading a new and vibrant charge in helping to find innovative and lasting solutions to many of the challenges which exist today. Where others see insurmountable problems, these inspirational and smart social entrepreneurs see only possibility and potential. They are the catalysts for innovative solutions to be created to address these challenges and to bring about new ways of thinking to solve the many social crises impacting Africa. Their practical response is to build strong and sustainable companies and organizations which bring to the table a host of new inventions, groundbreaking technologies or radical new approaches to solving a host of social problems on the continent. 

So, why not share your social entrepreneurship story, or tell us about a social entrepreneurship venture which has inspired you and we will feature it as part of this month’s key focus at Lionesses of Africa.

In Features Tags Social Impact, Social Entrepreneurship Month
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
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Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
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Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
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Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
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Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
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Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
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