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Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 Speaker Highlights in Pictures

September 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Lionesses-of-Africa-Annual-Conference-2017.jpg

Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017

This year's Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference welcomed some of the most inspirational women entrepreneurs from across the African continent to share their stories, inspire, and connect with each other and the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

 

A speaker line-up of 30 of Africa's most respected, experienced and inspirational women entrepreneurs representing 12 countries on the continent, took to the podium and the speaker panels to share their considerable insights. Each panel discussion looked to tackle some of the most important topics and challenges facing the growth and development of Africa's women entrepreneurs. The conversation was lively, insightful, passionate and filled with informative take-aways for the audience. 

Welcomes & Open Session Speakers

Melanie Hawken
Melanie Hawken

Founder & CEO, Lionesses of Africa

Angela Mhlanga
Angela Mhlanga

Head of Insurance-Wealth, Standard Bank (South Africa)

Lulu Rasebotsa
Lulu Rasebotsa

Managing Director, Liberty Life (Botswana)

Tara Fela-Durotoye
Tara Fela-Durotoye

Founder & CEO, House of Tara International (Nigeria)

Dr Victoria Kisyombe
Dr Victoria Kisyombe

Founder, SELFINA (Tanzania) 

Melanie Hawken Angela Mhlanga Lulu Rasebotsa Tara Fela-Durotoye Dr Victoria Kisyombe

Panel 1: Trailblazing Women in Manufacturing

Panel-1.jpg
Kofo Akinkugbe
Kofo Akinkugbe

Founder, Secure ID (Nigeria)

Kate Quartey-Papafio
Kate Quartey-Papafio

Founder, Reroy Cables (Ghana)

Mayleen Kyster
Mayleen Kyster

Founder & Executive Chairman, Africa Steel Holdings (South Africa)

Ally Angula
Ally Angula

Group Managing Director & Co-founder, Leap Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Namibia)

Flora Mutahi
Flora Mutahi

Founder & CEO, Melvin Marsh International & Chairperson, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Kenya)

Panel-1.jpg Kofo Akinkugbe Kate Quartey-Papafio Mayleen Kyster Ally Angula Flora Mutahi

Panel 2: The Change Makers - Africa's Women Eco-Warriors

Panel-2-Africas-Women-Eco-Warriors.jpg
Jayshree Naidoo
Jayshree Naidoo

Head of Standard Bank Incubator and Interim CEO Feenix Trust (South Africa)

Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka
Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka

Founder & CEO, Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)

Chioma Ukonu
Chioma Ukonu

Co-founder and COO, RecyclePoints (Nigeria)

Vere Shaba
Vere Shaba

Founder & Director, Shaba & Ramplin Green Building Solutions (South Africa)

Lorna Rutto
Lorna Rutto

Founder & CEO, EcoPost (Kenya)

Panel-2-Africas-Women-Eco-Warriors.jpg Jayshree Naidoo Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka Chioma Ukonu Vere Shaba Lorna Rutto

Panel 3: Funding the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs

Panel-3.jpg
Polo Leteka
Polo Leteka

Co-founder & Executive Director, IDF Capital & Co-founder of Alithea Identity Managers (South Africa)

Phuti Mahanyele
Phuti Mahanyele

Executive Chairperson, Sigma Capital (South Africa)

Andrea Bohmert
Andrea Bohmert

Partner, Knife Capital (South Africa)

Heather Sonn
Heather Sonn

Managing Director, Gamiro Investment Group (South Africa)

Juliana Rotich
Juliana Rotich

Advisor, African Technology Ventures (Kenya)

Panel-3.jpg Polo Leteka Phuti Mahanyele Andrea Bohmert Heather Sonn Juliana Rotich

Panel 4 - The Brand Builders Going Global

Panel-4.jpg
Monalisa Zwambila
Monalisa Zwambila

Founder & Group CEO, Riverbed (South Africa)

Ntsiki Biyela
Ntsiki Biyela

Founder, Aslina Wines (South Africa)

Renchia Droganis
Renchia Droganis

Founder, Africology (South Africa)

Yodit Eklund
Yodit Eklund

Founder, Bantu Wax (Senegal)

Lilly Alfonso
Lilly Alfonso

Founder, CEO & Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)

Panel-4.jpg Monalisa Zwambila Ntsiki Biyela Renchia Droganis Yodit Eklund Lilly Alfonso

Panel 5 - Leveraging Technology for Social Good

Panel-5.jpg
Ellie Hagopian
Ellie Hagopian

Head of Wi-Fi Strategy, Liquid Telecom & Entrepreneur-in-Residence, CSIR

Rapelang Rabana
Rapelang Rabana

Founder, Rekindle Learning (South Africa)

Juliana Rotich
Juliana Rotich

Co-founder, Ushahidi and BRCK Inc (Kenya)

Nkemdilim Begho
Nkemdilim Begho

Founder, Future Software Resources (Nigeria)

Catherine Mahugu
Catherine Mahugu

Founder, Soko(Kenya)

Suzana Moreira
Suzana Moreira

Founder, moWoza (Mozambique)

Panel-5.jpg Ellie Hagopian Rapelang Rabana Juliana Rotich Nkemdilim Begho Catherine Mahugu Suzana Moreira
In Events Tags Lionesses of Africa Conference
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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

LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs 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
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs 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.

Featured
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Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
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Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 5.34.58 PM.png

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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