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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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Malawi’s women entrepreneurs lean-in to inspire and connect in Mzuzu

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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This month saw the 2017 programme of Lioness Lean In events to be held in cities across the African continent, come to a close in great style as the team headed to Mzuzu in Malawi for the first time. The latest in the series of inspirational monthly Lioness Lean In events took place on Friday 8th December, once again powered by Standard Bank, and hosted at Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel, in Malawi’s northern region city of Mzuzu.  

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Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs get inspired at the latest Lioness Lean In event

December 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Patricia Vasco, Tania Tome, Melanie Hawken, Marta Roff, Sasha Vieira

L-R: Patricia Vasco, Tania Tome, Melanie Hawken, Marta Roff, Sasha Vieira

Mozambique’s women entrepreneur business and brand builders are on the move, winning fans not just at home and across the African continent, but around the world. On 28th November, as part of an ongoing series of Lioness Lean In Breakfast events aimed at bringing women entrepreneurs of Maputo together to share their stories, inspire one another, and connect for greater business success, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank hosted the 5th such successful event.

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Johannesburg leans-in to learn the art of business and personal brand building

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Deborah Hartung, Raksha Mahabeer, Melanie Hawken, Kathryn Main, Ngwana Matloa

L-R: Deborah Hartung, Raksha Mahabeer, Melanie Hawken, Kathryn Main, Ngwana Matloa

Another packed audience of women entrepreneurs assembled this month on 23 November at the Standard Bank Business Incubator for the last in the South African series of Lioness Lean In events for 2017. The theme for the morning was the art of building powerful business and personal brands, and understanding how to leverage those brands for success as women entrepreneurs.

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Cape Town’s women entrepreneurs lean in for inspiration and great business networking

November 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Kgotso Masekwameng, Simone Musgrave, Melanie Hawken, Jesslyn Schlamm, Vicki Bain

L-R: Kgotso Masekwameng, Simone Musgrave, Melanie Hawken, Jesslyn Schlamm, Vicki Bain

On a beautiful sunshine filled day on 10th November, in the shadow of Table Mountain, 80 women entrepreneurs from across the Western Cape gathered together for the last Lioness Lean In Breakfast event of the year in the city. The venue was once again Workshop 17 in Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront area. In prospect was a morning filled with inspirational startup story sharing from successful women business owners, and great business networking.

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Zambia’s women entrepreneurs share, inspire and connect at the Lioness Lean In event in Lusaka

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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On 8 November, the Lioness Lean In roadshow returned to Zambia to showcase and empower women entrepreneurs in the city. The event was once again held in partnership with Stanbic Bank at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, and brought around 80 women business owners from across the city from both the Stanbic Bank client list and also from the Lionesses of Africa network. Lionesses of Africa is one of the fastest growing networks of women entrepreneurs with over 450,000 women business and brand builders in 49 African countries and across the Diaspora.

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A bridge across the continent for start-ups – Minister Zypries opens the Start-up Night! Africa

October 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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Berlin, 26 October 2017

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries is today opening the Start-up Night! Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The Start-up Night! Africa is the latest event to take place as part of the successful series of Start-up Nights!, a string of business-matching events hosted by the Federal Economic Affairs Ministry designed to bring young businesses and established companies together – this time with a focus on Africa.

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Botswana’s leading women entrepreneurs gathered to inspire and connect at the first Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in the country

October 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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October has been an exciting month for Lionesses of Africa as it officially saw itslaunch in Gaborone, Botswana with the first Lioness Lean In Breakfast Event in the country held on the morning of 20 October 2017. Co-hosted by Stanbic Bank, this unique event aimed to showcase the game-changing women entrepreneurs who have built some of the country’s most successful businesses, and to inspire a new generation of young women entrepreneurs who aspire to follow in their footsteps.

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Lesotho’s leading women entrepreneurs come together for the launch of Lionesses of Africa in the country

October 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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On a glorious, sunshine filled morning, over 100 leading women entrepreneurs representing a wide variety of business and industry sectors gathered together for a morning of inspiration and celebration at the launch of Lionesses of Africa in Maseru, Lesotho. Cohosted by Standard Lesotho Bank, this unique event aimed to acknowledge the game-changing women entrepreneurs who have built some of the country’s most successful businesses, and to inspire a new generation of young women entrepreneurs who aspire to follow in their footsteps.

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5 inspirational Lionesses of Africa selected to showcase their digital solutions at Startup-Night Africa in Berlin

October 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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Lionesses of Africa has selected 5 leading women entrepreneurs from Africa to pitch their innovative digital platforms, apps and solutions to big business, government, investors and influencers in Berlin on 26 October, thanks to a partnership between Lionesses of Africa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. 

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Mozambique’s leading women entrepreneurs set to gather to share their stories and network at the 4th Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Maputo

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are continuing to make the world sit up and take notice as they take their business and brands to the next level. Some are beginning to capture global market attention, giving them exposure to new and exciting opportunities, and helping to raise awareness of the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging from the country. A new generation of young women is also being inspired to follow in their footsteps in the country. So to celebrate the achievements of all those women entrepreneurs who are putting Mozambique on the global map, and to further inspire this new generation to build successful businesses of their own, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank will be hosting the 4th in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in Maputo during the month of October. 

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All the photos and video from the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017

September 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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A picture says a thousand words, so the saying goes, and we couldn’t agree more. So we have curated the huge number of pictures taken at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference into one special conference photo editorial feature. These photographs capture the spirit and atmosphere of the event perfectly: from the lively networking sessions; the inspirational guest speakers on stage and the insightful panel sessions; the fun in the photo booth; the conversations with our visiting book authors and exhibitors; the fabulous food and refreshments; not to mention the fabulous sight of the polo ponies being exercised right in front of us while we relaxed in the beautiful Johannesburg sunshine. This special feature also includes a short highlights video of the event and also a download button where you can select and download your favourite high resolution images as a reminder of this special conference.  Happy viewing everyone!

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Exhibitors showcase their products and services at the Lionesses of Africa Conference

September 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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The Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase some great products and services to the women entrepreneurs attending the event. On display were beautiful flower boxes from Blak Saffron in South Africa; uniquely flavoured teas from Melvin's Teas in Kenya; fabulous wines from Aslina Wines in South Africa; coffee with a conscience and a mission from Gorilla Conservation Coffee in Uganda; lovingly handcrafted Belgian chocolates with African flavours from Chocoloza in South Africa; funding advice and information from IDF Capital; beauty and skincare products from leading French brand Yves Rocher; and product information from Reroy Cables  in Ghana.

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5 authors share their business building insights at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference

September 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Tumi Frazier, Shirley Anthony, Mulenga Kasoma, Lori Milner, Anna Shilina

L-R: Tumi Frazier, Shirley Anthony, Mulenga Kasoma, Lori Milner, Anna Shilina

Delegates attending the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference had the unprecedented opportunity to meet in person some of the leading writers on the subject of women's entrepreneurship. Tumi Frazier, Shirley Anthony, Mulenga Kusoma, Lori Milner and Anna Shilina, were all on hand with their latest books and considerable insights to meet with women entrepreneurs and to share their experiences and knowledge.

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Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 Speaker Highlights in Pictures

September 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017

This year's Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference welcomed some of the most inspirational women entrepreneurs from across the African continent to share their stories, inspire, and connect with each other and the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

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Women entrepreneurs set to gather in Johannesburg to share, inspire and connect at the 2nd Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference

September 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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On Wednesday 6th September, 300 of Africa’s leading and next generation high growth women entrepreneurs will gather in Johannesburg to take part in the 2nd Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference. On the agenda will be the opportunity for these ground-breaking women to share their experiences of building successful businesses in their own specialist fields, to connect with like-minded women, and to inspire one another to reach greater entrepreneurial heights. This important event is once again held in partnership with Standard Bank and Liberty as Lead Impact Partners, in the inspirational surroundings of the Inanda Club in Sandton, Johannesburg. The event is also supported by impact partners IDF Capital, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and Yves Rocher.

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Accra’s women entrepreneurs gather to be inspired, get connected and network at the first Lioness Lean In event in the city

August 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
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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 Ghana’s capital city, Accra, in partnership with Stanbic Bank.

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EVENT REPORT: Women’s Month in South Africa kickstarted with a Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Durban

August 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Every year in the month of August, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Month, and to support this commemorative initiative, Lionesses of Africa headed to Durban on 1 August to host one of its popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast Events. As always, the event was powered by Standard Bank and hosted at its Kingsway conference centre in the heart of Durban. At the 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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Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs ‘lean in’ to share, inspire and connect in Maputo

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Maputo was the place to be for women entrepreneurs in the month of July as not one, but two Lioness Lean In events were hosted in the city. This enhanced level of activity was an acknowledgement of the fact that Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are making really positive waves as they continue to build successful and sustainable businesses. 

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Mozambique’s leading women entrepreneurs set to inspire and connect at the 3rd Lioness Lean In Breakfast in Maputo

July 20, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Mozambique’s women entrepreneurs are making positive waves as they continue to build successful and sustainable businesses, some of which are beginning to capture global market attention. A new generation of young women is also being inspired to follow in their footsteps in the country. So to celebrate the achievements of all those women entrepreneurs who are putting Mozambique on the global map, and to further inspire this new generation to build successful businesses of their own, Lionesses of Africa and Standard Bank will be hosting the 3rd in a series of highly popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in Maputo this month. 

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Kenya’s women entrepreneurs gather for the first Lioness Lean In event in the country

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

The Lioness Lean In Tour of Africa continued this month with a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, to bring 50 of the city’s leading women entrepreneurs together to inspire, share, connect and of course network. It was a great morning powered by Stanbic Bank, our impact partner in Africa, and we can’t wait to be back to host another of our popular Lioness Lean In Breakfast events in this beautiful city.

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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
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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Special Occasion Cakes…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-
Image of the Day / Atelier Taila Carrilho

Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat
Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f
Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / KOVA

Luxury leather tote…Petrina Auino-Mwandingi is the founder and creative director of her own brand of leather products, KOVA, in Namibia. The business produces high quality leather handbags, primarily totes as well as o
Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma
Image of the Day / Amorambique

Capulana with style... If you love Capulana, then explore the new range of modern accessories from Amorambique, Mozambique, created by founder Patricia Vasco. This proudly Mozambican brand of accessories and footwear i
Image of the Day / Suzie Beauty

Marvellous Make-up…When you need to take your make-up routine to the next level, professional Kenyan make-up brand, Suzie Beauty, founded by Suzie Wokabi, has you covered. Suzie founded her successful business
Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene
Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Special Occasion Cakes…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza- Image of the Day / Atelier Taila Carrilho

Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / KOVA

Luxury leather tote…Petrina Auino-Mwandingi is the founder and creative director of her own brand of leather products, KOVA, in Namibia. The business produces high quality leather handbags, primarily totes as well as o Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma Image of the Day / Amorambique

Capulana with style... If you love Capulana, then explore the new range of modern accessories from Amorambique, Mozambique, created by founder Patricia Vasco. This proudly Mozambican brand of accessories and footwear i Image of the Day / Suzie Beauty

Marvellous Make-up…When you need to take your make-up routine to the next level, professional Kenyan make-up brand, Suzie Beauty, founded by Suzie Wokabi, has you covered. Suzie founded her successful business Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
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

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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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