Lionesses of Africa Event
As a key driver of Lionesses of Africa’s ‘Access to Markets and Investment Programme,’ Start-Up Night Africa in The Hague aimed to connect Africa’s high-growth women entrepreneurs to European investment opportunities, and women entrepreneurs in The Netherlands looking to expand their current businesses in Africa. We showcased 10 inspirational women entrepreneurs in growth-mode at the event on 17 September 2025, all looking for new investment, markets, and collaboration opportunities. If you didn’t get to meet each of them on the evening, then take a look at their pitch videos, which have all been published on the Lionesses of Africa website, and make those all important connections now.
Morongwe & Michelle Mokone, Co-Founders, Mo’s Crib (South Africa)
Mo's Crib is a South African based eccentric home décor design company which specializes in manufacturing sustainable handmade décor items. Supplying to leading retailers locally and internationally, the company is one of Africa's largest exporters of artisanal craft. Reducing waste, reusing and recycling resources is a valuable principle which drives the business towards its goal of conserving the environment.
Website: www.moscrib.co.za
Diana Mbogo, founder, Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd (Tanzania)
Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd. is a female-founded Tanzanian social enterprise with 8+ years in renewable energy. The company provides ‘end-to-end’ solar and wind energy solutions to public and private projects, resolving energy requirements in urban and rural areas. From transforming Lake Victoria’s sardine fishing industry to new ventures, Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd expands access, partnerships, and the Blue Economy.
Website: www.millenniumengineers.co.tz
Anne Rweyora, founder, Smart Havens Africa (Uganda)
Founded in 2018, Smart Havens Africa is a social enterprise that helps low-income women escape poverty by enabling them to own an affordable climate-smart home built by women through an income-based plan, training and land ownership. The business builds climate-smart homes for women to end poverty. It enables women to break systemic barriers, own homes, gain financial independence, take charge of their lives, and thrive.
Website: www.shafrica.org
Claudia Castellanos, co-founder, Black Mamba Foods (Eswatini)
Black Mamba is an African brand that makes bold, award-winning condiments with organically grown ingredients sourced from small holder farmers. Exported to 12+ countries, our products deliver flavour with impact - uplifting 1,000+ people while proving food can be good for you, farmers, and the planet. The Black Mamba Manifesto: Building a Better World Through Good Food.
Website: blackmambachilli.com
Nkem Okocha, founder, Mamamoni (Nigeria)
Mamamoni is a fintech company that provides inclusive digital financial services tailored for women in Nigeria. It’s advanced female-only agent network helps to drive financial services to financially excluded women and the last mile.
Website: www.mamamoni.co
Inez van Oord, co-founder, Fiber Foods Group (Netherlands)
Fiber Foods Group creates economic, social and sustainable value for all stakeholders. Fiber Foods develops clean-label, whole-food ingredients in Africa that help food producers to meet the growing consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable products. Fiber Foods is inventor of PrimeJack® — a premium dehydrated jackfruit ingredient made for large-scale food manufacturers.
Website: www.fiberfoodsgroup.com
Marthe Paauwe, Founder, MoneyPhone BV (Netherlands)
Digital access to credit, anytime and anywhere. MoneyPhone, a Dutch Fintech founded in 2018, provides fast, affordable, transparent loans to MSMEs, students, and smallholder farmers. Using AI credit scoring and mobile platforms, we empower the unbanked with inclusive access to credit; anytime, anywhere.
Website: www.moneyphoneafrica.com
Rahel Boon-Dejene, founder, R&D Group (Netherlands)
Transforming businesses and empowering communities through innovative solutions and sustainable growth. R&D Group is a leading Ethiopian enterprise committed to advancing the global business services sector through innovative, technology-driven solutions. With over 15 years of experience, it has established itself as a trusted partner in entrepreneurship support, outsourcing, & digital solutions.
Website: randd-group.com
Linda Klunder, co-founder, Kumasi Drinks BV (Netherlands)
Kumasi Drinks are 100% natural soft drinks made from the sap of the cocoa pod, which is normally discarded during cocoa production. The drink has a tropical flavor resembling a mix of lychee, mango, and white peach, and is available in sparkling or still varieties. Kumasi Drinks BV processes and sells as much cocoa fruit juice as possible, making an ever-growing difference. The business now operates in Ecuador, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.