the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Martine Irakoze
Are lionesses born or made? This article will not take a stand on this point, but rather offers another perspective: “if made, who makes them?”. To answer that question, I interviewed an extraordinary woman who is passionate about creating a network of lionesses in Burundi. Belyse Inamahoro Bushombo is Burundian, a Wellesley College Alumni, and founder of Sisters in Success.
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Diane Nsengiyumva, founder of Shamba Kahawa (Burundi)
by Martine Irakoze
The pandemic has proven that women leaders and health workers are managing these stressful situations better than the typical ‘strongmen’. At home, mothers are also holding families together while juggling online work, home-school, or businesses. Surely, behind these strong and successful women, there is a substantial amount of coffee. To inspire strength to fellow female entrepreneurs, this article will talk about an industry reputed to be strong and tough: coffee.
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Gisele Shabani & Ines Nabitangaro
by Martine Irakoze
Life made them both sisters and lionesses. In this article, I will cover the stories of two sisters, Ines & Gisele, both driven by an ingenious flair for entrepreneurship and innovation. Ines is an expert in the beauty products industry and Gisele creates beautiful handmade accessories using beads.
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by Martine Irakoze
My goal in writing this third in a series of articles for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. This week I speak to three women entrepreneurs who are making their mark and an impact with their businesses in the fields of waste management, green jewellery design, and construction.
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by Martine Irakoze
African women. Do you feel like you were raised to be strong? Do you feel like being an African woman embodies a perpetual and unique strength? Have you heard words such as “African women are indestructible. African women are tough lionesses.” “Girl, get up! You got this in your heritage!” “Think of your mothers and grandmothers who raised nations through tough history!”
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Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)
Startup Story by Martine Irakoze
My goal in writing this first article in what will become a series of Startup Story features for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. My first interviewee is Krystal Bella Shabani, an ambitious Burundian young woman who is revolutionizing the fashion industry in the country.
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