Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru, unique women’s wellness brand builders in Africa

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Uncover Skincare, an African wellness brand developing skincare products that are specifically approved and tested by melanated women.

Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru are the co-founders of Uncover Skincare, an African wellness brand developing skincare products that are specifically approved and tested by melanated women. Jade, born and raised in Nigeria, brings 15 years of work experience across FMCG (Unilever & Nestle) and e-commerce/fem-tech (Jumia, Kasha). She has vast experience in building consumer brands on the African continent and has led marketing at some of Africa’s leading e-commerce businesses. Sneha has over a decade of experience in finance and consulting having worked at McKinsey, Helios, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Grassroots Business Fund, and The World Bank. She has worked across 10 African markets scaling businesses and brings strategic, financial, and operational expertise.

Dr Kheira Benaissa, an innovation-driven biogas entrepreneur in Algeria

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Green-Al Energy Biogas, a business providing fully off-grid biogas systems enabling customers to live more sustainable lives in Algeria.

Dr Kheira Benaissa is the founder of Green-AI Energy Biogas in Algeria. She is also author of the book "Production du méthane et du biofertiliseur: l'Energie verte des déchets" published on Amazon, PhD holder in waste management and pollution of ecosystems, scientific researcher, professor, businesswoman and a mother. She is working to provide practical solutions to socio-economic problems in Algeria's isolated desert regions. She has designed the first 15m3 biodigester in the town of Tamanrasset (southern Algeria) and created her environmental consultancy company " SYNERGY" to be more active in the field of environmental protection.

Cecilia Birkenstock, an eventing and hospitality leader in South Africa

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Bright Idea Projects 2100 T/A Function Foods - Thembela Venue, a leading hospitality company and unique event venue in South Africa

At Thembela Venue in South Africa, the philosophy that true growth comes from stepping out of the comfort zone and into challenges which inspires greatness, and it is this philosophy that drove founder, Cecilia Birkenstock, to pursue her lifelong dream - of creating a unique venue on the North coast in KZN in South Africa. Recognizing a need for exceptional event spaces in the area, she set out to fill this gap with elegance and innovation. Cecilia is the founder and CEO of Functionfoods, and brings three decades of experience in hospitality to her business. With this wealth of experience, Cecilia embarked on her most exciting venture yet - establishing Thembela Venue. Thembela Venue is the culmination of Cecilia's dream. Through her dedication, innovation and clear vision, she has transformed her dream into a reality. Patrons place their trust in Cecilia and her team, confident in their ability to turn dream weddings into stunning realities. Cecilia's commitment to excellence ensures that every celebration reflects her client's vision, making Thembela Venue the ideal choice for unforgettable experiences where dreams truly come to life. The business, which was launched in 2008 has created jobs for 30 people.

Dr Michelle Muhanda, a champion of affordable healthcare in Kenya

October 27, 2024 Melanie Hawken

One Health Medical Centre, a modern, healthcare services provider on a mission to promote wellness, preventive care, and healthy living

Dr Michelle Muhanda is a medical doctor trained at the University of Nairobi in Kenya with 18 years’ experience in Healthcare, Business Administration, Occupational Health & Safety, Pharmaceuticals, Health Economics, Insurance, and Marketing working with the Ministry of Health, Private Sector, NGOs and other organizations. She has a Bachelor of Science in Medicine & Surgery, a Master’s in Business Administration from United States International University, a Masters of Philosophy in Palliative Care from University of Cape Town and a Diploma in Insurance from CII. She is also an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist with the Ministry of Labor. Her objective is to improve the health and quality of life of people by developing and implementing health and safety strategies geared to health promotion that will provide leadership in healthcare services. Michelle started the business in 2018 and today it has created jobs for 12 people.

Oakantse Alfred, an elite property development entrepreneur in Botswana

October 13, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Oakantse Alfred is a well-seasoned businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, speaker, and consultant. With a career spanning as far back as her college days she has established an elite Real Estate company in Botswana, LesediLebone Property Developers, where she is currently the CEO. LesediLebone Property Developers was founded in 2011 and has 70 employees at maximum capacity. Oakantse also later established her consultancy, Brand OA, in a quest to share her knowledge with other aspiring business owners. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Certificate in Real Estate.

Genet Kebede, a pioneering Ethiopian fashion & textile brand builder

October 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Paradise Fashion, a business celebrating Ethiopia’s proud hand-woven textile heritage and creating sustainable employment for local craftspeople

Genet Kebede, founder of Paradise Fashion, was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From a young age, she loved fashion and the rich Ethiopian textiles she found in her own culture, yet she appreciated the inspiration coming from other countries and specifically the rich design heritage of Italy. In pursuit of her dreams, she took the opportunity to study fashion design and garment construction in Italy and then Argentina. However, Genet always knew she would return to her home. Living through the significant political disruptions that led to near famine for much of Ethiopia during her childhood, she believed she had an opportunity to contribute to her country. She wanted to help the many people, particularly women, she saw in difficult circumstances in her city. She also wanted to share the beauty of her country’s rich weaving traditions with the world.

Titi Adewusi, an education innovator for children in Africa

September 29, 2024 Melanie Hawken

9ijakids, an affordable online learning tool that provides African children with access to high-quality educational content

Titi Adewusi is one of the co-founders of 9ijakids, an affordable online learning tool that provides children access to high-quality educational content through fun and engaging online games. Titi is an Engineer by training and a Management Consultant by experience, having worked with one of the Big 4 for over a decade before starting 9ijakids with two of her sisters. 9ijakids, which launched in 2918, has received several awards, both local and international. The business has created jobs for 24 people. Titi is also one of the conveners of Africa’s largest STEM gathering for children to spark a love for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in children aged 7-15 years through career talks, experiential STEAM activities, and games, which has taken place in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia

Ana Alecia Lyman, a sustainable natural beauty brand-builder in Mozambique

September 22, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia, a natural skin and hair care business celebrating Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species.

Ana Alecia Lyman, born in California and residing in Mozambique since 2005, has more than 15 years of experience as a businesswoman and consultant in the natural products sector. She is the founder and director of Bio Óleos de Miombo, a natural skin and hair care products company, providing high-quality products that highlight Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species to the national market. As a member of PhytoTrade Africa, the Natural Products Business Association of Southern Africa, she served as Vice President from 2015 to 2018, supporting the implementation of advocacy programs and initiatives in Mozambique and the region. Graduated in Public Policy from Brown University (USA), she currently works with the National Directorate of the Environment as a consultant, supporting the review of Decree 19/2007, the Regulation on Access and Sharing of Benefits derived from the use of Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge, in collaboration with a multi-sectoral technical team.

Kemisola Bolarinwa, a Nigerian pioneer in wearable technology

September 15, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nextwear Technologies, the first wearable technology startup in Nigeria, developing technology worn close to the body to solve health issues.

Kemisola Bolarinwa is the founder of Nextwear Technologies, the pioneering wearable technology startup launched in Nigeria in 2020, and which now employs 9 people. She is a distinguished Robotics and Embedded System Engineer with over 13 years of exceptional tech expertise. Through Nextwear Technologies, Kemisola designs and develops innovative wearable technology that addresses health-related challenges. One of her notable contributions to the field is the invention of the groundbreaking wearable Smart Bra Cup Diagnostic Device, designed to detect the earliest stages of breast cancer—an unprecedented advancement in healthcare technology that has earned her global recognition and awards.

Hellen Dausen, a Tanzanian natural skincare brand-builder

September 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Hellen Dausen is the founder and owner of Nuya's Essence based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and business leader. Hellen's skincare business, which was founded in 2013 and today employs 12 people, aims to help women find readily available skincare products for daily use to enhance healthy living, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Hellen was listed by Forbes Africa 30 under 30 in 2016 as the most promising entrepreneur to watch in Africa. Her resilience, hard work, and determination have brought Nuya's Essence local and international recognition. Hellen holds a bachelor's Degree from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. She lives with her husband and daughter in Dar es Salaam.

Ifeoma Malo, a Nigerian clean energy access champion

August 31, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Clean Technology Hub, an organization working on the frontlines of energy access and climate change in Africa

Ifeoma Malo is the co-founder of Clean Technology Hub, an organization working on the frontlines of energy access and climate change, across 80 communities in seven countries, including Nigeria, the Gambia, Congo DRC, Ghana, Uganda, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Senegal. The business was established in 2016 and today has 35 employees. She is an energy access expert and a climate action champion with over 23 years of experience building and directing organizational operations and strategy, supporting start-ups and MSMEs across Africa. In the past 10 years, Ifeoma has become a recognized and credible leader in the energy and utility markets, working on the intersection of energy transition, energy markets, energy and climate financing, and climate adaptation markets.

Olga Ncube, a South African facilities management business pioneer

August 25, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Kusile Facilities Management (Pty) Ltd, a specialist South African business providing hygienic workplaces to enhance productivity

Olga Ncube is the co-founder and ceo of Kusile Facilities Management, a facilities management company specializing in soft services and started in 2003. Today the business has 500 employees. Olga has been part of various entrepreneurial programmes, including the 10 000 Women hosted by Goldman Sachs together with GIBS. In the year, 2018 she was awarded the top award for the Best Performing Business and the Job Creation award. In the same year, her business was also awarded by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for the Outstanding Accelerator client. Her passion for providing clean and hygienic environments is seen through her participation in attending the ISSA cleaning show that is hosted in the Netherlands every 2nd year.

Isabelle Kamariza, a nutrition security leader in Rwanda

August 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Solid’Africa, creating nutrition security for all by increasing the awareness, affordability, and availability of healthy meals in Rwanda’s vulnerable communities.

Isabelle Kamariza, founder and president of Solid'Africa, is a dedicated leader in addressing Rwanda's nutrition gap. Recognizing nutrition as a fundamental human right, she has developed a holistic approach to nutrition security, focusing on the entire process from farm to fork. By emphasizing local, sustainable agriculture, Isabelle tackles the root causes of nutrition insecurity. Through providing healthy and balanced meals to patients and students, building nutrition awareness, and dedicating efforts to agriculture, she addresses broader nutrition challenges. Isabelle's innovative approach shifts the conversation from food security to nutrition security, aiming to create lasting change in the lives of those most vulnerable. Solid’Africa launched in 2010 and today has created jobs for 211 employees.

Márcia Nangy O’Connell, a Mozambican entrepreneur reimagining traditional design

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

DATHONGA, a sustainable design business merging traditional techniques with contemporary artistic sensibilities in Mozambique

Márcia Nangy O’Connell, or Marcita as she is affectionately known, is the founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has established herself in the world of Mozambican design. Dathonga has participated in national and international fairs, showcasing the beauty of Mozambican crafts to audiences in South Africa, USA, Denmark, Spain, Germany and, recently, at South African Fashion Week. Márcia’s commitment goes beyond her own brand. In 2010, she created Galeria Dathonga in Inhambane, providing a platform for other Mozambican and African artists to showcase their work.

Ade Hassan, a lingerie visionary for women of colour

July 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nubian Skin, the first brand to make inclusive, skin-tone undergarments catered to women of colour.

Ade Hassan is the Nigerian/British founder of Nubian Skin, the first brand to make inclusive, skin-tone undergarments catered to women of colour. The business also makes skin-tone softies (post-surgery prosthetics for mastectomy patients). Launched in 2014, and headquartered in London, Nubian Skin delivers worldwide and looks forward to growing the company’s offering and expanding its reach.

Thekla Teunis, an impact driven investor transforming farmers’ lives

July 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Grounded Investment Company, an impact investment cooperative working with Africa’s farmers to help them transition to regenerative agriculture

As the co-founder of Grounded, Thekla Teunis brings a strategic edge to the company’s sustainable agri-business initiatives. Grounded Investment Company is an impact investment cooperative started in 2021, that concentrates on a key leverage point in the food system: the processing industry. After completing a Master of Mathematics, she went on to consult for McKinsey in Amsterdam. A cycling trip through Vietnam opened her eyes to the possibilities of farming in harmony with nature and in 2014 she moved to South Africa to pursue work in sustainable agriculture. Together with Gijs, Thekla drives investor relations and strategy for the Grounded Investment Company. She is now based in the Netherlands with her partner and young daughter.

Ifeyinwa Ogar, a Nigerian food processing and bundling entrepreneur

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Roki Foods Ltd, a food processing and bundling company offering affordable, nutritious, and convenient food bundles for middle-income earners in Nigeria

Ifeyinwa Ogar is the visionary founder of Roki Foods, a company dedicated to helping middle-income earners in Nigeria save money on grocery shopping. With a robust background in commercial banking, Ifeyinwa brings eight years of experience as a Relationship Manager and Branch Manager. Her academic achievements include a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Economics, which have equipped her with a deep understanding of human behaviour and economic principles.

Thato Schermer, a South African healthcare access champion

July 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible

Thato Schermer is the co-founder of Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible. She is a passionate young South African, enthralled by the possibilities for Africa's future. Thato is dedicated to business for the greater good, technology’s potential to solve problems in Africa, writing, and driving the cause of women’s empowerment. After completing her honours business degree at the University of Cape Town, alongside a Business French qualification from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and numerous international internships, she started her career as a management consultant at a global management consultancy. She worked predominantly in the digital practice, with her work spanning industries such as banking, infrastructure, and technology across regions including East Africa, Spain, Turkey, and Asia-Pacific.

Merel van der Lei, an impact-driven SaaS female trailblazer

June 30, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Wyzetalk, a leading South African mobile-first employee experience platform enabling a connection for frontline workers

Merel van der Lei is the CEO of Wyzetalk, a leading South African mobile-first employee experience platform that enables a connection for frontline workers. With 20+ years’ experience, Merel has a wealth of knowledge in business and product strategy, employee engagement and designing impactful solutions, leveraging the power of feedback for continuous growth. Recognised as one of the SEG Female Trailblazers of SaaS in 2024, she leads with empathy and is solution and impact driven. Merel has made a concerted effort to bolster and mentor females in the industry as she effortlessly navigates the fast-paced and male-dominated landscape of the tech sector.

Sasha Knott & Kelly Louw, pioneers showcasing Africa’s people talent using AI

June 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Job Crystal, growing small to medium business by giving them the ability to hire in seconds, by using AI, while helping the cash flow!

Sasha Knott, the CEO of Job Crystal, started her career in IT and moved quickly in her career finding her passion for entrepreneurship and combining this with technology that works for the customer and often disrupts industries. Kelly Louw, the COO of Job Crystal, started her career in Recruitment and has become a well-known professional in the Recruitment space. Their current plan is to grow small to medium business by giving them the ability to hire in seconds, by using AI, while helping the cash flow! The vision is to make a dent in unemployment in Africa, while working on the SDG goal 8 of Decent work and Economic Growth worldwide. The business started in 2009, but Sasha and Kelly bought it in 2015, and today it has created jobs for 18 people.

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