Kah Walla, a Cameroonian solution-driven entrepreneur and political leader

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

STRATEGIES!, a consultancy firm specializing in leadership and management solutions

Kah Walla is a Political Leader, Activist and Entrepreneur from Cameroon. She is the founder and CEO of the 26-year old consulting firm, STRATEGIES! and the current president of the Cameroon People’s Party (CPP) she joined in 2010. In 2011, she became the first woman to ever run for President of the Republic of Cameroon. She has been recognized with several awards: The Vital Voices Global Leadership Award in public Life (2012), the DVF Award (2014), and the Vital Voices Vanguard Award (2015).

Ruka Sanusi, a growth driven entrepreneur empowering women business leaders

August 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Alldens Lane, a business advisory company supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa’s small and growing business sector.

Ruka Sanusi is a highly accomplished business management consultant with 26 years of international consulting experience in Europe and across sub-Saharan Africa. Her career to date has been built around her abilities to both provide advice on matters of business/organisational strategy, operations and transformation, and organizing resources and facilities to implement recommendations – she has strategic and operational ability. An astute professional, through her work at Alldens Lane and her consulting work, Ruka supports enterprise leaders in the small and growing business sector. She particularly works with female business leaders to support them with their business transformation needs. Ruka previously served in senior management at PwC Ghana and PwC Nigeria. She has advised governments, public sector organisations and private corporations on international projects and assignments in 16 sub-Saharan African countries.

Dr. Angela Dick, a visionary leader in the staffing and outsourcing industry

August 15, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Dynamic Outsourced Solutions (Pty) Ltd, South Africa’s pioneering and innovative staffing and outsourcing business

Dr. Angela Dick (Hon) is the Founder and Managing Director of Dynamic Outsourced Solutions (Pty) Ltd (South Africa). She is the recipient of many exceptional business awards and is recognised as the female leader in the Staffing and Outsourcing Services Industry. Angela has 38 years of business experience and as a Founder of her first company, she grew the revenue from R85 000 back in 1983 to well over three quarters of a billion rand by 2020. Her vision for her new company DYNAMIC is to create a positive legacy by making a substantial and sustainable contribution to improve the quality of life and hope for the future, for as many South African citizens as possible.

Sujata Jaffer, a strategic, client-focused leader in professional services

August 8, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Nexia SJ Tanzania, a leading Audit, Accountancy, Tax and Assurance consulting business

The award-winning Sujata Jaffer is highly respected by industry peers and colleagues for her intelligence, strength, passion, philanthropy, work ethics and leadership qualities. Founder and Managing Partner of Nexia SJ Tanzania, Sujata brings more than 20 years’ experience in Accounting, Audit and Tax consulting.

Johanna Makgalemele, a powerhouse leader in global executive travel

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Travel with Flair, a leading South African personalized travel management service

Johanna Makgalemele is an accountant and B Comm graduate from Rhodes University. She is the co-founder of Travel with Flair, a company she started in 1996 with her two partners. TWF employs over 780 people (before Covid) with offices throughout South Africa and won Most Empowered Business of the Year. She is the first person from the African continent to sit on the Global Tourism Board (ACTE) – Association of Corporate Travel Executives where she represented the Middle East and Africa. Johanna has been blessed with many business accolades from “Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in Tourism” to EY Emerging World Entrepreneur of the Year. BWA recently awarded her “Business Woman of the Year” award, and she was also awarded by SA Style awards “Most Stylish Business Personality” of the year. She has been elected to sit on the ASATA Board as Vice-President for 3 years consecutively. Philanthropy is very important to Johanna and she chairs the board of the Salvation Army and assist with fundraising for their abundant children’s homes.

Faraja Nyalandu, a Tanzanian social entrepreneur passionate about education

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Shule Direct, developing cutting edge educational programs to empower youth and children

Born and raised in Tanzania, Faraja Nyalandu, founder of Shule Direct, is a resourceful social entrepreneur passionate about developing cutting edge social and educational programs that empower youth and children. What inspires her the most is working collaboratively in social development and educational industry to develop and deliver innovative resources and solutions that prepare children and youth for a sustainable future. With over 15 years’ experience in engaging young people, she has dedicated her professional career and personal life to empowering them to achieve their full potential.

Dr Patricia Nzolantima, a transportation market disruptor in Africa

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Bizzoly Transport & Logistics, an innovative business empowering women in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Patricia Nzolantima is a pure Africa product with over 18 years of experience in entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. As a serial entrepreneur, Patricia is a seasoned leader in market disruption initiatives on the African continent. She is the founder and chairwoman of Bizzoly Holdings, a women-owned company and foundation. She is also the co-founder and managing director of EXP-Comuni-cart, a Sub-Saharan Africa marketing agency. Patricia founded the first women’s economic empowerment hub in Kinshasa, an accelerator program for women entrepreneurs to scale up their business; and also a driving license school for women and young women. She is the owner of the Bizzoly Transport and Logistics company that operates under Ubizcabs, the first female-driven taxi company in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and “Ubizdelivery”, the first women logistics services.

Keren Pybus, an ethical apparel manufacturing visionary in Africa

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ethical Apparel Africa, an impact driven company based in Ghana and Benin, manufacturing at scale

Ethical Apparel Africa is a company co-founded by Keren Pybus based in Ghana and Benin, working with international brands who are interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa with a positive social and environmental impact.

Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert, a leading Kenyan marketing and communications industry leader

July 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

PMS Group Africa Ltd, an award winning and acclaimed 360°marketing and communications agency

As the Founder and current Chief Executive Officer of PMS Group Africa Ltd and Chair of COMESA’s FEMCOM, present in 21 countries across Africa with the primary goal of enhancing women’s economic power, Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert brings more than 23 years of multi-faceted experience in pan African commerce, integrated communication and public relations within both the public and private sector. Her partnerships straddle the globe and create opportunities for top talent in over 24 countries and four continents. Kenyan by birth, she is a culturally astute and discerning royal Ghanaian Queen whose culturally sensitive approach to socio-economic challenges make Africa and the globe, her home. Joanne has won numerous local and International Awards. She is a 3rd time finalist at The All Africa Business Leaders Award, is an Organization of Women in International Trade Woman of the Year award holder, a KPMG and Nation Media Group Top Entrepreneur of the Year and bearer of the coveted Head of State Commendation for her extraordinary achievements in formalizing the efforts to include women, youth and persons with disabilities in the Kenya Government’s Procurement policy.

Victorine Sarr Awuah, a world-class natural beauty brand builder from Senegal

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lyvv Cosmetics, a leading natural cosmetics brand for women of colour

With over 8 years corporate experience, Victorine Sarr Awuah worked as a marketing executive for industrial giants Apple & Loreal. After being selected by President Barack Obama to be a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2015 under his flagship program YALi , she decided to start her own beauty company Lyvv Cosmetics. She holds a Master in Management - Specialisation in Strategy Marketing from ISG school of Management in Paris. With a passion to share and train young people, she has been volunteering as a mentor for programs like TEEP, AWEC. Outside of work, she loves to travel and has under her belt 156 countries visited. She is also a wife and mom of two beautiful girls.

Nisha Ligon, a social entrepreneur making an impact through edutainment

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ubongo, a Pan-African social enterprise creating localized edutainment for kids in Africa

Nisha Ligon is the co-founder and CEO of Ubongo, a Pan-African social enterprise that creates edutainment for kids in Africa. Nisha is a social entrepreneur with a background in media and science, and a passion for education. Before co-founding Ubongo, she was a media producer who created content for the BBC, the Guardian, online learning platforms and award-winning documentaries. She was part of the team who designed and launched Fuse School, and has also contributed to numerous e-learning initiatives across Africa. She studied at Yale University, University of Dar es Salaam, and Imperial College London, specializing in science media production.

Margaux Rusita, a luxury jewellery designer passionate about sustainable design

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Margaux Wong, a Burundi-based brand turning cow horn into unique luxury accessories

Margaux Rusita is the founder and creative director of the Margaux Wong international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand founded in 2000 and based in Burundi, East Africa. Margaux Wong`s artisans transform discarded cow horn and brass into luxurious, beautiful treasure. Margaux is originally from Guyana, South America. She and her Burundian husband, Simba, and their 5 amazing children, have lived and worked in Burundi for the last 12 years. Margaux Wong's ethos is one which embraces responsible innovation and the brand aims to create its beautiful jewellery using locally acquired, sustainable materials. Margaux Wong is a true representation of Margaux`s cultural background and life experiences, spanning 38 amazing years, across 3 beautiful continents.

Kevine Kagirimpundu, a passion driven producer of eco footwear in Rwanda

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

UZURI K & Y, a rising star of African footwear, creating beautiful shoes and skilled jobs

Kevine Kagirimpundu is the CEO & co-founder of UZURI K&Y, the eco-friendly footwear brand in Rwanda. She obtained her degree in creative designs & environmental build, and she also acquired her business development and leadership skills from global entrepreneurship accelerators. She is passionate about sustainable environment and leverages her skills to educate youth & women from urban vulnerable communities. In 2019, the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative named her among top 10 business heroes creating change across Africa.

Iris Lezi Munguambe, Mozambique’s wedding and event planner extraordinaire

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Mariée Eventos Lda, a specialist business creating happy endings for clients with big event dreams

Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos, is a 31 year old Mozambican woman entrepreneur, dreamer and Event Planner. She built her company, originally named Mariée Boutique, but now known as Mariée Eventos in 2013. Her inspiration came from watching the well-known movie, "The Wedding Planner.” She then designed her business specifically to meet the needs of, and to appeal to, Mozambican culture. Since a young age, she planned small events and designed invitations, so perhaps the entrepreneurial bug was there from the start. As someone who loves happy endings, Iris chose to build her business in the wedding and events industry as a way of helping to make clients’ dreams a reality.

Aisha Pandor, a digital innovator solving problems at scale

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

SweepSouth, Africa’s first online platform connecting home services providers to work opportunities

Aisha R. Pandor is co-founder and CEO of multi-award winning SweepSouth, Africa’s first online home services platform. Venture-backed, SweepSouth was the first South African startup to be accepted into the 500 startups accelerator based in Silicon Valley. Aisha completed her PhD in Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town. Following her studies, she worked as a management consultant in the telecoms and mining industries. SweepSouth is an advocate for financial and digital inclusivity, and has connected over 25,000 previously unemployed/underemployed home service providers to work opportunities.

Claudia Castellanos, an impact driven entrepreneur creating change through chillies

May 2, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Black Mamba, an award-winning, Eswatini-based, specialty food brand making a sustainable impact.

Black Mamba is an ethical business from Eswatini in Southern Africa, co-founded by Claudia Castellanos and her husband Joe, that manufactures specialty foods that are good-for-you, good-for-the-planet, and good for the rural communities they work with. The range includes chilli sauces, pestos, chutneys and jams, all made with organically grown ingredients and “no added nonsense”. Through a partnership with the local NGO Guba, Black Mamba trains small holders in permaculture and regenerative farming and buy their fresh produce to make our products. To date, 60 farmers are part of the value chain, and the direct positive impact reaches over 1000 individuals in Eswatini. Black Mamba has won several Great Taste Awards in the UK for its chilli sauces, and currently exports its range to countries such as South Africa, the US, the UK, Germany, Norway and Taiwan.

Chiinga Musonda, a pioneering artisan chocolate brand builder

April 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Chiinga Musonda, co-founder of Savanna Premium Chocolate (Zambia) — **Chiinga Musonda**, co-founder of Savanna Premium Chocolate (Zambia)

Savanna Premium Chocolate, a bean-to-bar brand putting Zambia on the global chocolate map

Passion is one of the key ingredients to building any successful business and brand. And, in the world of artisan chocolate making, it is one of the Savanna Premium Chocolate brand’s strongest assets, thanks to founders Chiinga Musonda and Lynna Musonda Phiri.

Mavis Nduchwa, a Botswana honey aggregator transforming communities

April 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Mavis Nduchwa, Founder and CEO, Kalahari Honey (Botswana)

Kalahari Honey, changing the world sustainably, one bee at a time

Mavis Nduchwa is the Founder and CEO of Kalahari Honey, a honey aggregator from Botswana whose mission is to build sustainable communities using bees. Founded in 2015 the company uses beekeeping as a tool to mitigate human and wildlife conflict by training and supplying rural farmers with beehives. Kalahari Honey creates jobs for more than 500 families and counting. Mavis is a former BBC Food Chain 2019 Judge, UN SDG We Empower Awardee 2020, and a 2020 African Business Hero.

Femi Oyedipe, Nigeria’s sustainable bean-to-bar chocolate producer

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Femi Oyedipe, CEO & Co-Founder, Loshes Chocolate (Nigeria)

Loshes Chocolate, adding economic value by processing raw cocoa into luxury products

Femi Oyedipe is the CEO & Co-Founder of Loshes Chocolate in Nigeria, a company birthed in 2015. With a diversified wealth of experience in Biochemistry, Human Resources, Client Relations and Business Management, Femi owns the expertise to successfully manage day-to-day business operations and the organization’s key asset; employees and clients. Having lived and worked in different parts of the world, she has honed the craft for design and aesthetic management and understands what excellent customer service delivery entails.

Ethel Cofie, a leading woman entrepreneur influencing IT in Africa

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, Founder & CEO, EDEL Technology Consulting (Ghana)

EDEL Technology Consulting, combining strategy and technology to bring business success to clients.

Named one of the Top 5 Women influencing IT in Africa, Ethel Cofie is CEO and Founder of EDEL Technology Consulting, an IT Consulting Company in West Africa and Europe which was recently named IT Consulting Firm of the year by the Telecoms and IT Industry. Ethel is also the Founder of Women in Tech Africa, the continent’s largest women in tech group with members in over 30 African countries and in the diaspora and growing, and the 2018 UN Equals in Tech Award Winner, Leadership Category. She created Women in Tech Week, a global event that impacts over 10,000 women globally. Ethel currently sits on the Advisory Board for Ghana’s Vice President, helping to design a Digital Strategy for Ghana. She also sits on the Tech Advisory board for the Graca Machel Trust. She has been featured on BBC/CNN/FT/Wired UK giving her thoughts on the topics of doing business on Africa, technology in Africa, Africa technology ecosystems and women leadership in business in Africa.

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