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Lionesses of Africa

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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Philanthropy SA acknowledge the committed works of the Ackerman Family

August 14, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Wendy and Raymond Ackerman Family receiving the Inyathelo Award for Family Philanthropy

Wendy and Raymond Ackerman Family receiving the Inyathelo Award for Family Philanthropy

Philanthropic social investment by the Ackerman family, both in terms of money and time, has benefited an enormous range of South African organizations and individuals. Philanthropy SA recognised their contribution with a special award.

Read the full article here.

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Pam Golding featured as Inspiring Woman of the Month

August 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

InspiringWomen.co.za features Pam Golding as its Inspiring Woman of the Month.

Read the full article here.

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Pam Golding: 'I have never felt that I wasn't one of the boys'

August 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: The Independent UK | published December 9, 2009

Peter Bills interviews South Africa's doyen of the property business, Pam Golding, founder of Pam Golding Property Group.

Read the full article here.

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Wits Business School Journal features Pam Golding as one of South Africa's 30 Wonder Women

August 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken

The Wits Business School Journal features Pam Golding in its article 'South Africa's 30 Wonder Women'.

WBS Journal celebrates 30 of South Africa’s most powerful and influential women. Whether in media or mining, banking or politics, these women are forces to be reckoned with, and role models to many women.

Read the full article here.

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In Lionesses Tags Pam Golding
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Dr. Ola Orekunrin: Africa Must Leapfrog its Way to the Future

August 13, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria

Source: Think Africa Press | by Dr. Ola Orekunrin | August 13, 2014

Fascinating though piece by Dr. Ola Orekunrin: "The term "hacking” means modifying the features of a system to achieve a new goal. In development, it can describe rapid changes made by a society to advance without going through the intermediate stages. Rather than following developed nations’ roadmap to progress, Africa can leapfrog by experimenting with emerging tools, models and ideas. Foreign investors looking at Africa often say that while the prospects are exciting, the infrastructure is lagging. I believe that existing infrastructure can be hacked – which in itself is a huge opportunity"....

Read the full article here.

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It's not a man's world: The African women breaking down tech barriers

August 12, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder of EDEL Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Ethel Cofie, founder of EDEL Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Source: CNN African Voices | 12 August 2014 | by Ethel Cofie

(CNN) -- When I was doing my degree in computer science in Ghana's Valley View University 10 years ago, there just were seven girls in the class. After four years, only four graduated and out of that number, just two of us have stayed in technical roles. Today, my little sister's computer science class has at least 30% females and a smaller drop-off rate. All across Africa, the number of women entering the tech industry is improving thanks to the several nonprofit groups teaching girls how to code and the bigger availability of funds.

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Q&A: ‘Michelle Obama Made Me Cry’ A Young African Leader Says

August 7, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technology Consulting (Ghana)

Source: AFK Insider | by Veronica Pamoukaghlian | 7 August 2014

U.S. President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative brought 500 African business leaders under the age of 35 to top U.S. universities to network and develop business and leadership skills.

Ghanaian-born Ethel Cofie was one of them. Selected from a pool of 50,000 applicants, Cofie and her colleagues got to meet Obama and many key industry players in the U.S.

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Njeri Rionge - It takes courage to become a serial entrepreneur

July 29, 2014 Melanie Hawken

It takes courage to become a serial entrepreneur – Njeri Rionge

This article first appeared in Afrimind.org, written by Sakina Badamasuiy and posted on 19 March, 2013

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Njeri Rionge on rolling out the web to Kenya's poor

July 28, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Njeri Rionge featured on BBC Network Africa programme on 14 May 2012

For internet entrepreneur Njeri Rionge, Africa represents the next economic frontier. She say strong indigenous, African-owned companies are needed to take advantage of the boom times ahead.

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Njeri Rionge the high school yoghurt vendor who rose to be one of Africa's leading women techpreneurs

July 28, 2014 Melanie Hawken

The Star newspaper in Kenya featured this fascinating interview with Njeri Rionge on Monday July 28, 2014.

'High school milk vendor realises entrepreneurial dream'

From a young lady selling flavoured milk to high school students, Njeri Rionge rose to build a multi-billion business empire. 

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Radio Netherlands Worldwide Africa interviews Teta Isibo the self-taught designer and founder of Inzuki Designs

July 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Radio Netherlands Worldwide Africa recently conducted an interview with Twenty-nine-year old Teta Isibo, a self-taught designer and the founder of Inzuki Designs. This young Rwandan brand specializes in handmade jewellery, accessories and interior decor made from local materials.

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CNN features young Rwandan entrepreneur Teta Isibo on African Start-Up

July 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken

(CNN) -- Teta Isibo had always had a flair for design but she didn't realize she could make a career out of it until the time she asked an artisan to craft a pair of earrings she'd drawn.

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SEV Magazine interviews Rwanda's young design star Teta Isibo

July 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Screen Shot 2014-07-23 at 7.02.31 PM.png

SEV Magazine recently interviewed Teta Isibo, the creative mind behind Inzuki Design a dynamic young Rwandan brand specializing in jewelry, accessories and interior decor hand-made primarily from local materials.

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WAAFRIKA Online profile Teta Isibo and her Kigali based startup Inzuki Designs

July 23, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Screen Shot 2014-07-23 at 6.08.39 PM.png

Inzuki Designs is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda founded by the creative, Teta Isibo, specialising in African beaded accessories like earrings, bungles, clutches, and interior decor which is hand-made from primarily local material.

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Meet the Boss: Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding

July 9, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Dr Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding 

Dr Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding 

Source: How We Made It In Africa | by Dinfin Mulupi | 9 July 2014

‘Meet the Boss’ is a How we made it in Africa interview series in which they pose the same 10 questions to business leaders across the continent. Here, they interview Dr Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding

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Tara Fela-Dorotoye tells the Nigerian story at the New York Forum Africa

June 27, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: Modern Ghana | published 27 June 2014

The Chief Executive Officer of House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye, has begun taking the message of Nigeria's massive business opportunities across the globe - making premium appearances on several global platforms including the New York Forum Africa (NYFA), France24 and Africa 24 by Reuters.

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Jennifer Riria: The entrepreneur who empowered Kenyan women

June 5, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Dr. Jennifer Riria, group chief executive Kenya Women Holding

Dr. Jennifer Riria, group chief executive Kenya Women Holding

Source: Financial Times UK | by Liz Bolshaw | 5 June 2014

Jennifer Riria is an entrepreneur with a mission. Her career has been focused on transforming the lives of women – and with them, their families – in her native Kenya. Today, she is group chief executive of Kenya Women Holding, a microfinance, banking and insurance group that works with 900,000 women, employs 2,800 people and since inception has disbursed $1.3bn of loans, each one averaging less than $600.

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Tabitha Karanja's 'David & Goliath' tale

June 2, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Source: Good Governance Africa, by Omondi Oloo, June 01, 2014

The soft-spoken Ms Karanja, 49, is the founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, Kenya's first locally owned beer manufacturer. Despite her calm demeanour, Ms Karanja is unrelenting in her quest to expand Keroche's share of Kenya's lucrative liquor trade beyond its current 5%. Her target is to command a 30% share within a decade, she says.

Ms Karanja's story is a classic "David and Goliath" tale...

Read the full article here.

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In Lionesses Tags Tabitha Karanja
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Uche Pedro listed among the Top Ten up-and-coming tech entrepreneurs in Africa

May 28, 2014 Melanie Hawken

IT News Africa recently listed Uche Pedro as one of the continent's top ten up-and-coming entrepreneurs who are making some serious waves in the technology space – either by reimagining established products or services, expanding radically into new areas, or developing better solutions for Africa.

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In Lionesses Tags Uche Pedro
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Delight juice manufacturer diversifies into other businesses

May 20, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Julian Omalla 1.png
Julian Omalla 15.png

Source: Daily Monitor Uganda | May 20, 2014

If there is any validity to seeing “a woman’s touch” in operating a key beverage company, it is illustrated by Delight Limited’s managing director Julian Nyamahunge Omalla. Just like any other entrepreneur, Nyamahunge is not afraid to try out anything. With nearly two decades of experience in business, Nyamahunge has mastered the art of processing juice from her mother....

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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


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 / 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 / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
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 / 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 / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio 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

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
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
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing 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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