Empowering Growth: Businesswomen and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals serve as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. For women entrepreneurs, aligning their businesses with the SDGs presents a unique opportunity to drive positive social, environmental, and economic impact while also fostering business growth. This article explores how women entrepreneurs can contribute to the SDGs, and offers practical strategies for integrating these goals into their business operations.

How Women-Owned Businesses Can Collaborate as Opposed to Competing

June 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

In the dynamic world of business, competition often takes center stage. However, for women entrepreneurs, collaboration can be a powerful strategy to foster growth, innovation, and resilience. By working together, women-owned businesses can pool resources, share expertise, and open new avenues for success. This article explores the benefits of collaboration and offers practical strategies for women entrepreneurs to build and sustain collaborative efforts.

The Impact of Female-Owned Businesses and How They Contribute to Food Security in Africa

June 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Food security remains one of the most pressing challenges in Africa, affecting millions of people across the continent. Women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in addressing this issue by driving innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Their contributions not only enhance food production and distribution but also empower communities and foster economic growth. This article explores the critical role of female-owned businesses in promoting food security, provides real-life examples, and offers practical strategies for women entrepreneurs to maximize their impact.

Digitalising for Growth: How Women Entrepreneurs in Africa Can Expand Their Businesses

June 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

The digital revolution is transforming industries and economies worldwide, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and expansion. For women entrepreneurs in Africa, digitalizing their businesses can lead to increased efficiency, broader market reach, and enhanced competitiveness. This article explores how digital transformation can drive growth for women-led businesses, provides real-life examples, and offers practical strategies for successfully embracing digital technologies.

The Impact of Coups in Africa on Women in Business: Navigating Uncertain Times

November 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Africa, a continent rich in cultural diversity and abundant resources, has often been marked by political instability and military coups. These abrupt changes in leadership can have far-reaching consequences for societies, economies, and various sectors, including women in business. In this article, we will explore how coups in Africa influence women in business on the continent and offer strategies for navigating such turbulent times.

The Rise and Rise of AI: How it Impacts Women in Business

November 4, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a technological advancement; it's a transformative force that's reshaping industries and society as a whole. In this digital age, where data is the new gold, AI has rapidly risen to prominence, impacting various sectors. One area where AI's influence is significant but often overlooked is its impact on women in business. Women, who have long fought for equal opportunities in the corporate world, must recognize the potential of AI and leverage it to bridge gender disparities and excel in their careers. This article delves into the rise and rise of AI, its implications for women in business, and how they can harness its power to their advantage.

The AfCFTA and African Women in Business: Strategies for Engagement and Participation

October 27, 2023 Melanie Hawken

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a transformative initiative aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across the African continent. With the potential to significantly boost trade and economic growth, the AfCFTA offers numerous opportunities for businesses, and this includes African women entrepreneurs. In this article, we will explore the implications of the AfCFTA for women in business, how they can engage in this historic trade agreement, and the strategies they can adopt to maximise its benefits.

Let’s trade, shall we? Part 4: Human resources in business

October 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

This week we continue on our journey with Ms. Olivia Simbajena. Ms. Simbajena is a businesswoman whose business falls under the category of SME and MME. Hers also falls under the category of Family Business. As we have defined before Family Business is a business started by an individual for the benefit of his or her family and is then run by the individual to serve the interests of their communities as well as those of their family. Family Business’s main characteristics are that a family owns the majority shareholding of the business. However, from the characters and their situations, although fictional, we are starting to see that there are dynamic intricacies that effect Family Businesses. Laying down a foundation by introducing our fictional business owners will help to establish context when we go in-depth and unpack more problems and solutions for Family Businesses.

Let’s trade, shall we? Part 3: Family structures in business

October 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

This week, we continue on our journey with Ms. Olivia Simbajena. Ms. Simbajena is a businesswoman whose business falls under the category of SME and MME. Hers also falls under the category of Family Business. As we have defined before, a Family Business is a business started by an individual for the benefit of his or her family and is then run by the individual to serve the interests of their communities as well as those of their family. The Family Business’s main characteristics is that a family owns the majority shareholding of the business. However, from the characters and their situations, although fictional, we are starting to see that there are dynamic intricacies that affect Family Businesses. Laying down a foundation by introducing our fictional business owners will help to establish context when we go in-depth and unpack more problems and solutions for Family Businesses.

Let’s trade, shall we? Part 2: Governance in Business

October 2, 2022 Melanie Hawken

This week we continue on our journey with Ms. Olivia Simbajena. Ms. Simbajena is a businesswoman whose business falls under the category of SME and MME. Hers also falls under the category of Family Business. As we have defined before, a Family Business is a business started by an individual for the benefit of his or her family and is then run by the individual to serve the interests of their communities as well as those of their family. A Family Business’s main characteristics are that a family owns the majority shareholding of the business. However, from the characters and their situations, although fictional, we are starting to see that there are dynamic intricacies that affect Family Businesses. Laying down a foundation by introducing our fictional business owners will help to establish context when we go in-depth and unpack more problems and solutions for Family Businesses.

Let’s trade, shall we? Part 1: Women-led family businesses

September 25, 2022 Melanie Hawken

We have been following the journey of Transport Businessman for a few weeks now, and by so doing, we have scraped the surface of the SME, MME, and the Family Business in Africa from one of its players. These characters and their situations, although fictional, are putting in place a bird’s eye view of some of the intricacies that affect Family Businesses. Laying down a foundation by introducing you to these characters will help to establish context when we go in-depth and unpack more problems and solutions for Family Businesses.

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