Catherine Wijnberg, a South African SME growth champion

June 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Fetola, a business providing world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs

Catherine Wijnberg is a pioneering entrepreneur and visionary leader, serving as the Founder and CEO of Fetola in South Africa. With over 18 years of experience in entrepreneurial development, Catherine is renowned for her expertise in SME growth strategy, scalable business acceleration, and transformative leadership. She is also recognised on the Forbes Africa 50 Over 50 List of Africa's Female Powerhouses. Under her guidance, Fetola has emerged as a beacon for sustainable business solutions, fostering economic growth and social impact across Africa. Catherine founded Fetola in 2006 and today it has 34 employees.

Precious Gondwe, a 21st Century Legal Practitioner in Botswana

May 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Precious & Partners Legal Practice, an award-winning legal practice in Gaborone Botswana.

Precious Gondwe, founder of Precious & Partners Legal Practice, is a visionary executive with a progressive legal background. She has a record of accomplishment as evidenced by the multi-awards, accolades, and nominations conferred on her by reputable awards bodies over the past five years. She brings a strong focus on servitude leadership and growth coupled with confidence in decision-making and experience in leading organizations through periods of change and development. Precious is very articulate and driven, with top strengths in relationship-building, planning, strategic management experience, and operations. She is a Corporate Lawyer with nine years post qualification experience and previous litigation experience. These skills and experiences, expertly provide world-class legal services on a variety of Commercial and Corporate Law matters at a Global level. With the Leadership skills she possesses, Precious ensures that the team remains results-oriented, and the results of a proven track record of exceptional outcomes for clients and impeccable growth in revenue for the organizations she has worked with, speak for themselves. The business was launched in 2018 and has created jobs for 15 people.

Salma Bougarrani, a water management change-maker in Morocco

May 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Salma Bougarrani, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer GREEN WATECH (Morocco)

GREEN WATECH, a Morocco-based company with a low-tech solution for wastewater treatment and reuse for irrigating vegetables destined for human consumption

Salma Bougarrani is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GREEN WATECH, a Social Enterprise founded in 2018, and specializing in decentralized sanitation. Salma holds a PhD in Advanced Water Treatment Process from Med V University (Morocco), and Leipzig University (Germany). She worked as a project manager for "Women in Water Field" at Peking International University. In 2015, Salma joined the Institute of Chemical Technology, Leipzig University in Germany, as a researcher. Salma has been involved in several international projects in collaboration with teams from Malatya University and NIBEC Institute. Salma is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and she works as an expert consultant at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Adekemi Adeniyan, a Nigerian oral healthcare champion

May 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dentalcare Foundation, on a mission to advance oral health equity across underserved communities in Africa

Adekemi Adeniyan is a rural dentist breaking barriers to oral healthcare access in Nigeria. As founder of Dentalcare Foundation, she provides free dental services to underserved communities. Dr. Adeniyan also advances oral health literacy creatively through Nigeria’s first illustrated children’s oral health storybook “The Girl Who Found Her Smile” and the lively “Anita Says” animation series. Her innovative storytelling makes oral care engaging and accessible, empowering future generations. For significantly expanding healthcare access, Dr. Adeniyan has earned honours including Nigeria’s Woman of the Year in Healthcare and Leading Ladies Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women. The business was launched in 2019 and today has 15 employees.

Kathryn Malherbe, a South African breast cancer diagnostics innovator

May 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

MED AI SOl PTY LTD t/a MedSol AI Solutions, a business creating affordable, diagnostic AI and Deep machine learning systems for breast cancer diagnosis

Kathryn Malherbe is the founder and ceo of MED AI SOl PTY LTD t/a MedSol AI Solutions in South Africa, a business at the forefront of the AI-driven healthcare market by utilizing cutting-edge technology and collaborating with researchers to produce innovative solutions. It’s focus is on patient-centered outcomes sets the business apart from other vendors in the market. The company launched in 2019 and today has 10 employees.

Victoria Munguti, a mobile money champion in East Africa

April 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Hepta Pay, a fintech business helping dissolve the barriers to cross-border micropayments for members of the East African Diaspora

Victoria Munguti is the co-founder and ceo of Hepta Pay, a financial services company founded in 2020 and based in East Africa. She holds a master's degree in information technology (MSIT) with a focus on Data Science and Entrepreneurship from Carnegie Mellon University. Throughout her career Victoria has worked on different tech projects and entrepreneurial venture programs. She has also co-founded two start-up businesses in the domains of Data Analytics (Hepta Analytics) and Fintech (Hepta Pay) respectively. She has been actively engaged in the tech ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs at different stages of ideation, startup, and go-to-market strategies, and scaling of successful startups into scale-ups in different countries of Africa.

Claire Blanckenberg, a South African entrepreneur addressing food poverty

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Reel Gardening, an innovative business promoting sustainability and contributing towards solving the social and food crisis in South Africa.

Claire Blanckenberg is a visionary and natural-born entrepreneur from South Africa, and the co-founder of Reel Gardening. Her knack for simplifying processes and improving products was evident from a young age. At just 16, she revolutionized vegetable gardening with her invention, now known as Reel Gardening, streamlining the planting process with a patented method. Recognizing the logistical challenges hindering South Africa's future workforce, Claire took action. She developed the Siyaphambili Pre-Paid Taxi App, directly addressing the pressing issue of logistical poverty in the country. An esteemed figure in the field of social entrepreneurship, Claire frequently shares her insights at prestigious institutions like the Wits Business School and the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa.

Thozama Ledidi, a South African security industry manufacturer

April 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Unipro Protective Wear, a South African business specializing in the manufacture of bullet-resistant vests for the defence and security sectors

Thozama Ledidi is the founder and managing director of Unipro Protective Wear in South Africa, a business specializing in the manufacture of bullet-resistant vests for the state, security companies, and other private sectors. She graduated from the University of the Free State and has a political Science Degree. In 2014, Thozama established a combat uniform and protective wear manufacturing company. After operating Unipro Protective Wear for 4 years, she then saw a need for defence products, and that’s when she decided to do her research on needed products within the defence industry. She then found her niche in the manufacturing of bullet-resistant vests. Today, her business has created jobs for 26 people.

Isabella Epiu, an entrepreneur advancing healthcare in Uganda

March 31, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Health Solutions International, a social impact organization dedicated to advancing healthcare standards to save lives in East Africa

Isabella Epiu is the founder of Health Solutions International, an organisation founded in 2015 in Uganda and dedicated to Advancing Health Care Standards To Save Lives by sourcing new approaches to emerging global health challenges through research and implementation science. She is an Anaesthesiologist with a PhD from the University of New South Wales - UNSW School of Medicine in Sydney, Australia, which is among the top 50 medical schools in the world. Isabella’s recent research focused on neural-respiratory physiology, to design targeted cost-effective management plans and improve the quality of life in people with pulmonary diseases. Previously she performed multi-national research across the East African Community aimed at improving maternal and neonatal outcomes through safe anaesthesia. Isabella is passionate about quality improvement in healthcare, and particularly safety in medicine with experience in research, leadership and management, global health, economic modelling, policy analysis. She currently has 20+ publications with up to 220+ citations already.

Jennifer Shigoli, a Tanzanian educator and impact-maker

March 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Arizona Vocational Training Centre & Elea Products, a business transforming lives through training and skills development in Tanzania

Jennifer Shigoli is a Lawyer by profession and also the ceo and founder of Arizona Vocational Training College and Elea Reusable Pads in Tanzania, a business she launched in 2012 and which today employs 23 people. Jennifer is a visionary educator and entrepreneur who is passionate about transformation and economic empowerment. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey 12 years ago and through her work she has touched thousands of lives. She believes to bring about change she has to be the change she wants to see; she has to be the solution.

Rukssana Saide, transforming lives through agribusiness in Mozambique

March 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dream Agrobusiness Lda, a high-impact business empowering local communities through an agri-value chain.

Rukssana Saide is the founder of Dream Agrobusiness Lda in Mozambique, an impact-driven business established in 2016 and employing 30 people. She balances life as a mother, woman, and entrepreneur. Rukssana has a degree in accounting and auditing and a master’s degree in business management, but with a passion for land and community. Throughout her professional career, Rukssana worked in financial areas, but it was her passion for agriculture where she felt the sense of contributing to transforming lives. Currently Rukssana works with the community and in the community looking for solutions for a prosperous future for future generations.

Amanda Etuk, a logistics management game-changer in Nigeria

March 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Messenger, a logistics platform that provides financing and aggregation for end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations in Nigeria

Amanda Etuk, co-founder of the Nigerian logistics solutions business, Messenger, is an accomplished, results-driven business management professional. She has a depth of experience in supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and sales and marketing. Amanda has a proven track record of business optimization. She has driven the competitiveness of organizations in the healthcare industry, the FMCG sector, e-commerce, and logistics, where her passion lies. In all her roles, she has delivered business and revenue growth and efficiency gains, and successfully strengthened client relationships.

Sylvia Omina Otsieno, a Kenyan jewellery brand builder with impact

March 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Omina Otsieno, an innovative fashion brand in Kenya, renowned for its distinctive jewellery crafted from banana fibre.

Sylvia Omina Otsieno is the founder and creative director of Omina Otsieno, an innovative fashion brand in Kenya, renowned for its distinctive jewellery crafted from banana fibre. Born and raised between Nairobi and Busia, Sylvia's formative years in Busia ignited her passion for crafting, where she found abundant materials at her disposal. Inspired by her familial heritage of creativity, including her mother's adeptness at crocheting and her grandparents' tradition of weaving handcrafted baskets for livelihood, Sylvia began her journey of artistic expression. Driven by a steadfast commitment to social impact and artistic innovation, Sylvia continues to redefine the boundaries of fashion entrepreneurship, inspiring change not only in the lives of individuals but also within their communities. The business has created jobs for 17 local people.

Buhle Magwentshu, an artisanal coffee roastery business builder

February 25, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Asmara Coffee, a South African artisanal micro-roastery with a vision to make quality, artisanal coffee with wide customer appeal.

Buhle Magwentshu is the founder of Asmara Coffee, an artisanal micro-roastery based in Johannesburg, South Africa and launched in 2018. She is a Food Scientist and seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of corporate experience in the FMCG sector. Buhle established Asmara Coffee in 2018 with the vision to make quality, artisanal coffee, which appeals not only to the palates of coffee connoisseurs, but also to those starting out on the exciting journey of exploring coffee.

Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana, a South African renewable energy pioneer

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

In Pursuit Renewable Energy, a sustainability-focused South African project development, energy efficiency and alternative power solutions business

Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana is an Electrical Engineer and seasoned Energy Professional with almost 16 years’ experience in delivering small to utility scale infrastructure projects with a focus on Renewable Energy. Her business, In Pursuit Renewable Energy in South Africa was formed in 2017 and today has 8 employees. Hleziphi is a former Senior Project Manager within Arup’s Renewables team overseeing a Lender’s Technical Advisory (LTA) team taking Renewables (Solar/Wind) projects from bid submission, Financial Close and Commercial Operation, Construction Monitoring and Operations Monitoring. She was also a former Technical Manager in the IPP sector developing greenfield projects and leading projects in the C&I space. She has developed and delivered over 3000MW of Renewables projects (Solar, Hydro, Wind Battery Energy Storage) in South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana and UK. Hleziphi also held leadership roles such as COO of Bonang Power & Energy, Principal for Matt&Co Advisory, Arup Education Trust Trustee, the COO for the SunElex Group and Project Development Team Lead for TASEZ Gas to Energy Project. She is also a mother of 3 Daughters, Skills Development Facilitator, Conference Speaker and Moderator.

Bernadette Umunyana, a Rwandan creative manufacturing business builder

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a manufacturing business creating proudly Made in Rwanda accessories.

Bernadette Umunyana is founder and CEO of Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a private, family owned, and women managed manufacturing company in Rwanda, producing since December 2014 leather handcrafted fashion accessories like handbags, backpacks, wallets and belts for women and men. The company currently employs 21 people of whom 70% are women. Bernadette is a very active and creative female entrepreneur, consequently she was looking to diversify her activities through a horizontal expansion with potential synergetic impact, and noticing the growing demand for wooden and upholstery furniture in the local market she decided to acquire in 2019 an existing carpentry workshop, INWOOD, Ltd.

Yetunde Akande, a Nigerian impact-maker empowering the fashion industry

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Yetroselane Fashion Hub, a multi-faceted fashion business creating jobs, and empowering fashion entrepreneurs of the future

Yetunde Akande is an award-winning CEO and founder of Yetroselane Fashion Hub in Nigeria, a mission-driven company founded in 2008, transforming the fashion industry through sustainability and empowerment, and employing 45 people. The hub's contemporary womenswear fosters inclusivity and empowerment, complemented by their Fashion Academy preparing women for successful fashion businesses. Operating with a zero-waste policy in their garment factory, Yetunde collaborates globally for amplified impact. Recognized with prestigious awards, her designs grace global runways, including New York Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana. Committed to mentorship, Yetunde engages with organizations like WIMBIZ, AWE, and GAIN, shaping the future of aspiring entrepreneurs. She envisions a future of employment and thriving fashion ventures.

Eka Obaigbena, a Nigerian fast-casual dining pioneer

January 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Toasties Limited, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain reimagining the way Africans experience meals on the go

Eka Obaigbena is the founder and ceo of Toasties, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain launched in 2016 in Nigeria that aims to reimagine the way Africans experience meals on the go. Toasties' menu consists primarily of fusion sandwiches, salads, and various specials. Eka is also the Founder and CEO of Board, a food gifting and food experience company that presents edible art to its customers. Before launching her businesses in 2016 and 2020 respectively, Eka began her culinary journey in New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now The International Culinary Center) where she trained as a chef in 2011.

Francine Munyaneza, a Rwandan green energy impact-maker

January 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Munyax Eco, a solar power business creating access to clean and affordable energy in East Africa

With a master’s degree in business and administration and 15 years of experience globetrotting, Francine Munyaneza skilfully managed operations in international private organizations and later in the humanitarian sector. Her accumulated expertise led her to return to Rwanda and establish Munyax Eco in 2013, an impact focused solar energy company. Through Munyax Eco’s endeavours, she has positively impacted nearly 1,000,000 beneficiaries, reduced carbon emissions by over 5,000 tons annually, and importantly created 30 permanent jobs and over 100 temporary jobs. Notably, the majority of Munyax Eco’s staff and beneficiaries are women.

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