Vera Osei-Bonsu, a Ghanaian children’s nutrition focused entrepreneur

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Eat smart Foods and Start Right Nutrition Ltd, a food business putting baby and children’s nutrition first

Vera Osei-Bonsu is the founder and CEO of Eat Smart Foods and Start Right Nutrition in Ghana. Back in 2012, she was looking for a vibrant local business that made nutritious local food products for babies that are naturally fortified. Seeing the lack of healthier local baby food options in the area, she saw an opportunity. Start Right Nutrition was created in 2012 to advocate for healthy balanced foods for children from the ages of 6 months to 5 years and Eat Smart Foods was created in 2021 with the goal of bringing and manufacturing naturally fortified local baby food options. Currently, the business has over five products selling across the retailing sectors in Ghana, and has created jobs for 10 employees.Vera was awarded as the Emerging Star in Agribusiness in Africa in 2022, and the International Business Award in Africa in 2022 by Women in Agribusiness and Guzakuza.

Mamela Luthuli, a pioneering South African security-focused techpreneur

November 13, 2022 Melanie Hawken

TakeNote IT, a South African cyber security business providing innovative IT solutions to clients

Mamela Luthuli is a well-known business leader, founder, entrepreneur, and CEO of Take Note IT in South Africa, which provides cyber security and innovative IT solutions to its clients. The business was established in 2007. Her purpose is “I am dedicated to protecting and keeping businesses and our people safe in South Africa and the rest of the world. I believe that technology and 4IR are only at the tip of a disruptive revolution that will create a new way of life for us all.” As a CEO, she guides her team of 65 young leaders to build a future for themselves the business, and the future of the country. Her contribution to the Cybersecurity and IoT industry has been realized through engineered products & services that secure digital and physical assets by proactively mitigating the risk of hacking, vandalism, and theft, through engineered cyber security and IoT solutions - helping to protect your business, protect your people, protect your reputation.

Stacey Menga Onyango, a Kenyan entrepreneur building a visionary construction business

November 6, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Minkoti Agencies Limited, a specialist, high-growth, Kenyan construction company specializing in building and civil works

Stacey Menga Onyango is the Director / Founder of Minkoti Agencies Limited in Kenya. Stacey is the sole director of the company that was founded in 2009 as a small enterprise business dealing in general supplies, and has since grown into a middle enterprise business with over 60 employees. Stacey has a background in Human Resources and Strategic Management but decided to defy the odds and get into the construction sector in 2018. The company offers quality building and civil construction services both to the government and private sector, and has in the past year upscaled the operations of the company to South Sudan.

Ararat Tamirat, an Ethiopian ethical lifestyle brand-builder creating jobs

October 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Tuba by Ararat, an ethical Ethiopian lifestyle brand, specializing in hand-woven basket-ware for home accessories and textiles.

Ararat Tamirat is an architect and basket weaver, and the founder and ceo of Tuba by Ararat in Ethiopia. She established her business in April 2020, but has already won recognition by the Female in Business Acceleration Program 2022. The focus of the business is on improving the lives of the local women by using their skills and establishing a viable, high quality basket production industry in Ethiopia. Ararat has already created sustainable job opportunities for almost 40 women in rural areas, and has a big vision to employ up to 500 women by the year 2030.

Sewela Setshogoe, a South African growth-focused engineering entrepreneur

October 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lefata Engineering, a growing specialist engineering and maintenance services and construction business

Sewela Basetsana Setshogoe is a South African entrepreneur operating in the traditionally tough and highly specialized engineering industry sector. She is the owner of Lefata Engineering, an engineering services and construction business which operates mainly within the mining and manufacturing industries. The business has been in operation for six years having launched in 2016, and harnesses the management team’s personal extensive engineering experience. Lefata Engineering currently employs 11 people, and has grown to undertake turnkey and high quality projects for large corporates and businesses across different sectors with a focus on the mining industry.

Elizabeth Adeshina, an entrepreneur improving healthcare access in Africa

October 16, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Wazima, a Nigerian Health Tech company providing care through smart diagnostic devices and telemedicine

Elizabeth Adeshina is the founder and ceo of Wazima, a Health Tech company based in Nigeria but with a Sub-Saharan Africa focus. She is an avid entrepreneur with a medical background who has over 18 years’ experience with building businesses in the UK and Africa. She successfully set up and for over 12 years ran and grew her own brand pharmaceutical wholesale business targeting 7 Sub-Saharan African countries with several high quality ethical and OTC products in various markets before exiting in 2016 to launch Wazima. She is passionate about health and improving the access to and delivery of quality healthcare services. She has worked on various projects in the UK NHS and with the UN and WHO in Africa.

Cleo Johnson, a South African hospitality marketing expert

October 2, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Nuecleo, a specialist marketing consultancy for hospitality and tourism businesses in South Africa

Cleo Johnson is the founder of Nuecleo, a hospitality marketing consultancy in South Africa. She is a seasoned marketing consultant and businesswoman with expertise in marketing and business strategy, e-commerce, and hospitality. A multi-award-winning businesswoman, she was recently recognized as Forbes Africa 30 under 30, the class of 2021 and has been named one of Africa's TOP 50 CEOs two years in a row. She has over nine years of industry experience and has improved the brand reputation, marketing, and sales revenue for various clients through strategic, innovative solutions and her collaborative mindset. Her business, Nuecleo was started in 2017 and today employs 6 people.

Lee Billy Chisale, a wellness and beauty brand-builder in Malawi

September 25, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Belle Afrique, a market leader promoting healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments in Malawi

Lee Billy Chisale is the founder and ceo of Belle Afrique in Malawi, a business that promotes healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments. She is an experienced entrepreneur with a focus on promoting wellness in the pan-African market. She founded the business over 20 years ago in 2001 and now employs 15 people. She is a stomatologist with a background in accounting and business management. Today, Belle Afrique provides outstanding clinical and client relations skills for delivering advanced services in aesthetics wellness and training education in the wellness and hospitality industry.

Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, a Tanzanian serial entrepreneur with a big vision

September 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

KOM Group, on a mission to be Tanzania’s leading local manufacturing and supplier company for industrial and agro-processing products

Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and an education and business consultant in Tanzania. She serves as the ceo of KOM Group of companies and is also the Director of KOM Food Products. The business started in 2002 and today employs 300 people. Currently, KOM Group has investments in oil processing, cotton ginning, agriculture, steel, plastic and pipe manufacturing, food, and beverages. She has expertise in business development, business management, consulting, business strategy, supply chain management, food processing, small and medium enterprises, project management, human resource management, negotiation, analytical skills, Microsoft office, Accounting, Finance and Public Speaking.

Sandra Chukwudozie, a champion of renewable energy in Africa

September 11, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Salpha Energy, a Nigerian renewable energy company bringing solar power to Africa’s underserved homes and businesses

Sandra Chukwudozie is the CEO and Founder of Salpha Energy, a Nigerian-based leading technology-enabled renewable energy company that provides stand-alone solar home systems to homes and businesses in off-grid areas in Africa. She started the business in 2017 and today it employs 30 people. Salpha Energy develops, produces, distributes and finances a range of solar home system products, from entry-level to large productive use systems. It provides a broad range of products aimed at the consumer market and small entrepreneurial businesses. The African energy market is bottom-heavy, so Sandra’s business strategy is to bring the underserved and unserved homes and businesses in rural and urban areas into and up the energy ladder.

Roomila Roothoorodoo, an award-winning Mauritius-based creative audio-visual entrepreneur

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Focus Events Ltd, a specialist photography, audio-visual and event management services business in Mauritius

Roomila Roothoorodoo is the founder and director of Focus Events Ltd in Mauritius, a business providing specialist audio-visual and event management services. The company is also a Training Centre providing photography and videography courses at Floreal. Roomila is an active member of the associations, AMFCE, Association Mauricienne des Femmes Chefs d' Entreprises and YES, Youth Engagement in Society. She is currently in her final year for a bachelor degree in Business Administration and completing her Gold Award for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

Tsitsi Mutendi, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur passionate about business legacy

August 28, 2022 Melanie Hawken

DanTs Investments, a multi-faceted business group focused on family business and legacy planning in Africa

Tsitsi Mutendi is a family business and family office advisor, and the Founder and Lead Consultant at Nhaka Legacy Planning in Zimbabwe. She is also Co-Founder at African Family Firms (A non-profit Africa Family Business Association). Tsitsi is a well-versed, award winning business woman with over 12 years’ experience building her own successful software development, publishing and education businesses. During this time, Tsitsi developed a passion to assist family businesses in building multi-generational businesses which translate into multigenerational legacies. Tsitsi is recognised globally for her business acumen and world class delivery.

Yoadan Tilahun, an entrepreneur turning eventing passion into profit

August 21, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Flawless Events, an award-winning market-leader transforming Ethiopia’s events industry

Yoadan Tilahun is the founder and CEO of Flawless Events in Ethiopia, a company specializing in conceptualizing, organizing, and executing corporate and government events. Yoadan is a seasoned entrepreneur and award-winning business leader who has transformed Ethiopia's events industry. She founded the business in Ethiopia in 2008, turning her passion that was ignited in 2004 in Washington, DC into a successful business on the continent. Flawless Events employs 14 staff with the majority of young women. Yoadan has an MBA in International Business, is fluent in three languages, is married to a supportive husband, and is raising three sons.

Fatima Babakura, a luxury accessory brand-builder in Nigeria

August 14, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Timabee Inc, an accessory brand that redefines luxury in Africa and beyond

Fatima Babakura is the founder, chief executive officer and designer of Timabee, an accessories brand that “redefines luxury in Africa and beyond”. Timabee is a premium women’s accessories brand. Fatima started Timabee at the age of 19 and it has since grown to become a global brand with customers all over the world. Fatima holds a BSc Honours Commerce degree from Canada’s prestigious McMaster University. Fatima has won many awards which include being acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Most Inspiring Women, WEF’s Iconic Woman in 2017, and has been nominated for prestigious awards like Forbes 30 under 30 in 2022. Fatima launched the business in 2013.

Lalita Purbhoo-Junggee, a sustainability focused social entrepreneur making an impact

August 7, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Eco Hustle, a business focused on innovation, sustainability and recycling in Mauritius

Lalita Purbhoo-Junggee is a social entrepreneur and award-winning business leader, and the founder and director of Eco Hustle in Mauritius, a business focused on innovation, sustainability and recycling. Lalita studied business entrepreneurship at UNISA and the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and, she is currently pursuing her MBA. She’s a member at the Obama Foundation, serving as country coordinator and she also chairs on the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) regional committee as Sustainable Coordinator. Lalita is a multi-award winner in the entrepreneurship field on the African continent and her accolades include: Seedstar winner for “Recycle Moi Africa” project, May 2022; listed among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans by the African Union Youth Program 2019; Winner of Africa most innovative idea - VivaTech 2019, Paris; National winner & Coup de Coeur Feminin; Total Startupper 2018/19; Women In Africa laureate for Innovative Start up 2018; National & Regional Winner for the 2018 Pan African Awards, SME Sector. On a personal level, she is a mother of three - two girls Elya 1 and Rya 9 and, a boy, Anshwyn, 13. Lalita is also wife to creative entrepreneur and young political activist, Nazeem Junggee.

Rudo Kumirai, an education change-maker in Zimbabwe

July 31, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Helena Schools, a trendsetting business making high quality education accessible to Zimbabwe’s children

Rudo Kumirai is a lawyer by profession, an educational entrepreneur and the founding CEO of a private educational group, Helena Schools, which was founded in 2010 in Zimbabwe. She has 11 years’ experience in banking and financial services, and has worked in various senior management positions in Southern Africa, having served as the Managing Director of a Micro-bank in Zambia, and a Corporate and Legal Advisor for the Botswana IFSC. Rudo is the Chairperson of Youth Bank, Empowerbank, serving as one of the youngest, female board chairpersons in a bank. Rudo founded the first leadership development curriculum for preschool and primary school, and has won several awards in recognition for her work including Ashoka Change Maker School Nominee, Young African Leadership Initiative Business Award, and Zimbabwe National Chamber for Commerce ZNCC Award for Outstanding Educational Institution, and Megafast Business Award. She is involved in various youth mentorship programs for pre-teens and teenagers from orphaned and vulnerable backgrounds. Her goal is to use education to empower the current generation to be relevant change-makers.

Alcinda Cumba Durão, an interior design entrepreneur transforming client spaces

July 24, 2022 Melanie Hawken

IZHA Interior Design, Limitada, a specialist business turning interior spaces into live/work sanctuaries in Mozambique

Alcinda Cumba Durão, or Isa as she is known, is the founder and executive director of two companies, namely, IZHA Interior Design and JD&D Group in Mozambique, which is currently a 6 people team. Both of her companies represent her life motto: “Explore your full potential and be whoever you want to be”. She’s been a Lawyer by profession for 7 years, with over 10 years of experience working in the corporate sector and administrative services. She has a mentoring program for helping adolescents and young adults on their professional journey and also has a passion for interior design and decided to finally pursue her dreams.

Carla Frankel, a South African luxury sleepwear brand builder

July 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Top Drawer Collection, a luxury South African personalized sleepwear brand celebrating self-love

Carla Frankel is the founder and CEO of luxury sleep and ready-to-wear brand Top Drawer Collection in South Africa. She is a creative entrepreneur and award-winning, Forbes-listing business leader who loves business, fashion, food and travel. Carla’s inclination for luxury experiences is expressed through her love of timeless design, high-end materials and her endless love affair with the “finer details”. Within 3 years of founding Top Drawer Collection, which was launched in October 2018, the brand has stylishly and effortlessly stolen the hearts of South Africa’s elite, as well as uplifted the talented women from her local community who make up her female dominated team. At the mere age of 29, Carla has built a global brand and shown a resilience of spirit in fulfilling her dreams, no matter the circumstances.

Adanne Uche, a pioneer of healthy food processing in Nigeria

July 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Adanne Uche, Founder & CEO, Ady's Agro Processing Limited (Nigeria)

Ady's Agro Processing Limited, a food processing business in Nigeria providing families with healthier cooking ingredients.

Adanne Uche is the Founder/CEO of Ady's Agro Processing Limited formerly known as Ady's Food Mart, a food processing and packaging business based in Lagos, Nigeria, that is focused on providing families with healthier cooking ingredients in Nigeria, Africa and the world where African dishes are appreciated. Having 2 failed businesses, she founded Ady's in 2016 from her kitchen and no structure to a now globally recognized brand, that empowers and motivates both the young and old generation. She is a seasoned and resilient entrepreneur who despite the harsh business terrain have stood the test of time.

Jane Maigua, Kenya’s macadamia nut agri-processing pioneer

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Exotic EPZ, a Kenyan macadamia nuts processing and export company supporting smallholder farmers

Jane Maigua is the CEO of Exotic EPZ, a macadamia nuts processing and export company based in Nairobi Kenya. The company was restarted in 2017 under Jane's leadership and has grown its supply of high quality nuts from Netherlands to a growing customer base in USA, Spain, Germany, Italy and China. Jane has two business partners, Charity Ndegwa and Loise Maina, and together they have established the only solely woman-owned processing and export company in the macadamia value chain in East Africa. Exotic EPZ employs over 100 workers giving them a decent employment, and it sources its raw nuts from over 5000 small holder farmers. Of the company’s workers, 85% are women and 75% are youth. Exotic EPZ’s commitment to environmental sustenance has been demonstrated in its use of solar power to run its processing factory and recycling of shells as boiler fuel, in addition to use of energy efficient processing systems. Currently the company is launching a campaign for planting of macadamia trees as a source of income as well as for carbon sequestration.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.