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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Lionesses of Africa Lean In Event powered by Standard Bank in partnership with Shell and Netherlands Embassy showcase Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs

April 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

PRESS RELEASE: Maputo, Mozambique, 27 April 2017 --- April is another exciting month for women entrepreneurs in Maputo as Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank host the 2nd in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events to showcase and empower women entrepreneurs in the country. Lionesses of Africa is a rapidly growing network of over 300,000 women entrepreneurs in 49 African countries and across the Diaspora. The event will be held on the morning of Thursday 27th April, once again powered by Standard Bank in partnership with Shell and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The venue will be at the Southern Sun Hotel, Avenida da Marginal, Maputo. The event starts at 8.00am and finishes at 12.00pm.

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Malawian women entrepreneurs lean in for greater business success

March 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

If there’s one thing that captures the spirit of enterprise in Africa, it’s when women entrepreneurs get together to network, to share experiences, and to collaborate for greater business success. That spirit was evident this week when Lionesses of Africa hosted the first of its Lioness Lean In events in the Malawi capital, Lilongwe, in partnership with Standard Bank. 

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Let’s #LionessLeanIn Lilongwe! The Lioness Lean In Series for Women Entrepreneurs Heads to Lilongwe, Malawi this month

March 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

This month will see the 2017 programme of Lioness Lean In events to be held in cities across the African continent kick off in great style as the team heads to Lilongwe in Malawi for the first time. The latest in the series of inspirational monthly Lioness Lean In events is set to take place this week on Wednesday 15th March, once again powered by Standard Bank, and hosted in the wonderful surroundings of the Latitude13 Hotel in Lilongwe. 

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EVENT REPORT: 2017 Lioness Lean In Breakfast event rollout launches in Cape Town and Johannesburg in February

February 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

It now feels like 2017 has well and truly got underway with the first two Lioness Lean In Breakfast events having taken place. The first in Cape Town on 21st February and the second in Johannesburg on 23rd February. At each event, women entrepreneurs representing all sectors and sizes of business gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking.

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The Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event Series for 2017 heads to Johannesburg

February 13, 2017 Melanie Hawken

One of the highlights again for 2017 will undoubtedly be the monthly Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event Series, run in partnership with Standard Bank. These hugely popular gatherings bring together women entrepreneurs in key African cities to listen to other successful women business brand builders share their stories, to inspire one another, and to network and connect for business success. On Thursday 23rd February, Johannesburg plays host to one of the first events of the year.

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New Lioness Lean In Breakfast event schedule announced for 2017 in South Africa

January 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Following an amazing series of events held last year in South Africa, the new programme of inspirational monthly Lioness Lean In Breakfast events has just been announced, again powered by Standard Bank in the country. The programme will see events taking place in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Limpopo and Pretoria, and hosted at a variety of venues including the SB Incubator in Rosebank, the new SB Incubator in Pretoria, and Workshop 17 in Cape Town, amongst others.

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The first Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Mozambique brings together Maputo’s leading women entrepreneurs to share, inspire and connect

December 3, 2016 Melanie Hawken

November was an exciting month for Lionesses of Africa, a rapidly growing network of 250,000 women entrepreneurs on the African continent, as it officially launched in Maputo, Mozambique with the first Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event in the country. The event, which was held on the morning of 17 November 2016, was powered by Standard Bank in partnership with Shell and held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the city.

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Lionesses of Africa launches in Mozambique with its first Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event on 17 November

November 13, 2016 Melanie Hawken

November is an exciting month for Lionesses of Africa as it officially launches in Maputo, Mozambique with the first Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event on the morning of 17 November 2016, powered by Standard Bank in partnership with Shell. The event is being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Av. da Marginal, Maputo, Mozambique and starts at 8.30am, finishing at 11.30am.

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Powering a new era of women’s entrepreneurship at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Opening Speaker: Funeka Montjane, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking South Africa, Standard Bank

Opening Speaker: Funeka Montjane, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking South Africa, Standard Bank

What an event, what a gathering of inspirational women entrepreneurs, what an amazing time to be a woman entrepreneur in Africa!  280+ delegates; 35 inspirational speakers from across Africa. Catchup on some of the highlights of the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016.

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3 Amazing Lioness Lean In Events in one week this October

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

What an amazing month October is turning out to be. We have just staged the most phenomenal Lionesses of Africa Conference on 12 October in Johannesburg, attended by over 280 women entrepreneurs from across the continent, and a panel of 35 truly inspirational women business and brand builders. And now, we are heading into a new week with three amazing new events for women entrepreneurs to get involved with. 

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VIDEO: Highlights of the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Watch the highlights showreel of The Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 held in 12 October at the Inanda Club, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Celebrating women in contemporary design and artisan crafts

October 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

It's that time of year again, when Johannesburg, South Africa, is abuzz with talk about contemporary design and all things handmade. On a gorgeous summer's day, crowds flocked to the rooftop of the Hyde Park Shopping Mall to experience the uniqueness of the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair, taking place from 14 to 16 October. This event is all about meeting passionate and highly talented craftspeople who are showcasing their world-class products, shopping (and lots of it!), and of course sampling the wonderful handcrafted beers, wines and foods. 

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Inspirational women entrepreneurs from across the African continent prepare to gather in Johannesburg for the first Lionesses of Africa Conference on 12 October

October 2, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Lionesses of Africa, the network that looks to support and empower women entrepreneurs from across the African continent, is preparing to mark the 2 year anniversary of its launch with an inaugural Conference on 12 October in Johannesburg, South Africa. This special event, held at an equally special venue in beautiful surroundings (The Inanda Polo Club) aims to bring together around 200 women entrepreneurs from all corners of the continent to share their business building stories, to inspire others with their success, to discuss some of the big issues and challenges facing women entrepreneurs on the continent, and to network.

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100 LIONESSES: Women in Tech Founder, Ethel Cofie, Announces Largest Global Gathering of Women in Technology Week Celebration to be Held Across Africa and the Diaspora

September 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Women in Tech Founder and CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting, Ethel Cofie, has announced the first and largest ever global women in technology week to be held both physically and virtually in over 40 countries.

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Another packed Lioness Lean In event in Johannesburg celebrates the importance of finding your niche

September 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken

On 15 September 2016, around 85 of Johannesburg’s women entrepreneurs representing all sectors of business and industry, and at all stages of their business journeys, gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking at the latest in the highly successful series of Lioness Lean In Breakfast events. As always in this popular Lioness Lean In destination, the event took place in the city’s Rosebank district at the Standard Bank Business Incubator where the surroundings create a great entrepreneurial vibe for all those attending.

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Liberty encourages its women employees to become more entrepreneurially minded

August 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken
L-R Melanie Hawken, Amanda Khoza, Eleanor Sansovini

L-R Melanie Hawken, Amanda Khoza, Eleanor Sansovini

Leading South African financial services group, Liberty, knows the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset in today’s economic climate in order to maintain a competitive edge. As a result, it is taking a proactive approach to encouraging its employees to think more entrepreneurially in their day to day work. 

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EVENT REPORT: Women’s Month in South Africa celebrated with three inspirational Lioness Lean In Breakfast Events

August 21, 2016 Melanie Hawken
LOA_LeanIn_Collage.jpg

Every year in the month of August, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Month, and to support this commemorative initiative, Lionesses of Africa, powered by Standard Bank, made plans to host three of its hugely popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast Events. The first two events have now taken place, the first in Durban on 16th August, and the second in Johannesburg on 18th August. At each event, women entrepreneurs representing all sectors of business and industry, gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking.

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Kenya’s women entrepreneurs gather at the Global Women’s Summit to talk about business and innovation

August 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Each year, over 1,000 Global Women’s Summits are being presented by The Women Information Network (WIN) in major cities worldwide. The mission is to strengthen women and families through Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship in order to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and hunger in every nation. This year’s theme is Towards Vision 2020, Women Leading Innovative Transformation. On Wednesday 10 August, the Global Women’s Summit was hosted by Nairobi, Kenya.

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The Global Women’s Summit brings Johannesburg’s women together in the spirit of innovative transformation

August 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Each year, over 1000 Global Women’s Summits are being presented by The Women Information Network (WIN) in major cities worldwide. The mission is to strengthen women and families through Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship in order to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and hunger in every nation. This year’s theme is Towards Vision 2020, Women Leading Innovative Transformation. On Friday 5 August, the Global Women’s Summit was hosted by Johannesburg, South Africa.

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EVENT REPORT: Johannesburg plays host to another inspirational Lioness Lean In Breakfast event for a capacity audience of passionate women entrepreneurs

July 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

On 21 July, around 70 of Johannesburg’s women entrepreneurs representing all sectors of business and industry, gathered for a morning of inspirational startup story sharing and great networking at the latest in the highly successful series of Lioness Lean In Breakfast events. As always in this popular Lioness Lean In destination, the event took place in the city’s Rosebank district at the Standard Bank Business Incubator in Rosebank, where the surroundings create a great entrepreneurial vibe for all those attending.

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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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