A special 10 Year Anniversary message from Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa
Dear Lionesses of Africa Community,
Today, 19 November 2024, marks a truly special milestone—Lionesses of Africa’s 10th anniversary! We began this incredible journey exactly a decade ago, launching on Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, 19 November 2014. It feels like just yesterday, yet the progress we’ve made together has been extraordinary. Throughout the years, one thing has remained steadfast: our commitment to our mission and Public Benefit Statement—to positively impact the lives of Africa’s women entrepreneurs, helping them grow and achieve their fullest potential, always free of charge.
Over the past decade, it has been our privilege to celebrate and amplify your startup stories, sharing the remarkable journey of African women entrepreneurs across our platforms. Every day, our editorial team has worked tirelessly to craft daily and weekly newsletters, digimags, and podcast shows, all designed to inform, inspire, and connect women entrepreneurs across the continent and the Diaspora.
From creating innovative tools and knowledge-sharing platforms to launching impactful training programs that help women scale their businesses, our efforts have been shaped by your needs. Our Lioness networking events continue to be a cornerstone of connection and collaboration, while our Lioness Data team works to address the persistent data gap in women’s entrepreneurship in Africa.
Together, we have grown into a thriving community of nearly 2 million women entrepreneurs—a Lioness family that shares, inspires, and uplifts one another for collective success. Yet, even as we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we recognize the ongoing challenges that women entrepreneurs in Africa face. Access to funding and achieving sustainable growth remain critical hurdles. The sobering statistic of less than 2% of global funding going to women entrepreneurs reminds us how much work still lies ahead. At Lionesses of Africa, we are resolute in addressing these challenges head-on with practical solutions in the months and years to come.
Personally, I have been deeply inspired by the extraordinary women I’ve had the privilege to meet and collaborate with over the past decade. These trailblazers are building businesses that not only transform their lives but also uplift their communities and make a positive impact on the planet. Their willingness to share their wisdom, experiences, and support has been a cornerstone of our mission—helping us empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs who will carry the torch forward.
As we reflect on this incredible journey, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you—our Lionesses of Africa community. Your stories, resilience, and passion inspire us every single day to keep moving forward.
Here’s to the next decade of empowering women to build thriving businesses and creating even greater impact together.
With gratitude and pride,
