the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Juliana Nasasira, founder of Kwesh
Many of us day-dream of fulfilling our lifelong ambitions and entrepreneurial dreams one day, but talented Ugandan designer, Juliana Nasasira, went from a career in property management to becoming a global fashion brand builder in the making. She is a testimony to the power of passion, drive and a real can-do attitude.
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Karen Wessels, co-founder of VA Connect
If there is one thing that all women entrepreneurs probably have in common, its that they constantly juggle vast numbers of tasks and priorities, and try to take on too much themselves. Well, one South African entrepreneur, Karen Wessels, the founder of VA Connect has a practical solution - simply hire a Virtual Assistant when you need one.
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Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala
Bold Kampala is the brainchild of three vibrant and talented women entrepreneurs from Uganda who have a vision for raising awareness of, and retailing, African fashion brands. Their BOLD Kampala retail concept is truly world-class and provides affordable space and excellent exposure to buyers to talented African designer fashion brands.
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Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana
A A K S was founded by talented designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, with the goal of introducing the world to the weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana, while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Bolgatanga, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterised by bright exuberant colours.
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Meet Stephanie Cowper, who is harnessing the power of mobile technology to making a difference in the world. This South African entrepreneur and the startup team of BeSpecular Ltd. have created an app to help visually impaired people identify objects and situations and lead more independent lives.
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Angela van Herzeele, founder of Angel Rose Trading Company, KZN, South Africa
If there is an example of an African woman entrepreneur who passionately believes in making her business dreams a reality, despite all the challenges that life throws at her, then Angela Heather Van Herzeele is such a woman. Her Angel Rose Trading Company is a testimony to sheer determination, hard work and a great designer’s eye.
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Lucy MacGarry the founder of L’Mad Collection creates genuinely wearable art by designing accessories and pieces of clothing made from 100% luxurious silk and printed with unique artworks by highly talented artists. The resulting products are truly unique and breathtakingly beautiful, and good enough to hang on a wall, not just on the body.
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Keri Muller, founder of Simple Intrigue, South Africa
Finding design inspiration literally in the pages of old books has given South African artist, designer and entrepreneur, Keri Muller, the opportunity to create incredibly beautiful decor pieces from recycled books. Her company, Simple Intrigue, and the unique products it creates, is a wonderfully refreshing antidote to so much of the bland, mass produced decor swamping the marketplace today.
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Victoria Verbaan, founder and creator of The Smoking Daxi
Design conscious consumers across Africa and around the globe will love the highly individual and stunningly beautiful handprinted and illustrated designs and products from South African designer and entrepreneur, Victoria Verbaan. Her uniquely named company, Victoria Verbaan and The Smoking Daxi, is one to look out for on the African design scene.
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Tumi Frazier, founder of Tumi Frazier International, South Africa
Tumi Frazier, a passionate South African entrepreneur, is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. Through her inspirational leadership, combined with an ambitious vision and an endless source of energy, her company, Tumi Frazier International, is helping to develop thousands of new women leaders in Africa.
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Meet Diana Opoti, founder of leading Kenyan fashion consultancy, Diana Opoti PR, a true champion of the continent’s fashion design industry and one of Africa’s most formidable fashion connectors.
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Lani Stenvert, founder of Good Dog Designs, South Africa
Lani Stenvert, the founder of South African-based start-up, Good Dog Designs, made the tenacious move from design studio employee to graphic design solopreneur. In the process, she found freedom of expression and a unique design style all of her own.
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Sebenzile Matsebula, founder of Motswako Office Systems, South Africa
Sebenzile Matsebula, the founder of Motswako Office Systems, is proof positive that if you have the ambition, are prepared to work exceptionally hard, and demonstrate to others that you are an entrepreneur first and foremost and successful at what you do, then disability is not a barrier to success.
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Jenna Clifford, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa
Jenna is an inspirational example to women entrepreneurs across Africa that despite significant challenges in personal and business life, with many setbacks and considerable personal heartache along the way, it is possible to find business success.
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Karin Rae Matthee, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, South Africa
In the world of jewellery design in South Africa, Karen Rae Matthee is a young entrepreneur with a vision, a unique design and creative aesthetic, and a deep commitment to skills development and upliftment in her community.
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The start up story of a serial entrepreneur who has created a unique business in South Africa by elevating the nailbar to a world-class boutique and luxury girls club experience.
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Lynn Worsley and the inspiring team of ecopreneurs of All Women Recycling, Cape Town
All Women Recycling is an inspiring women-led social enterprise in South Africa turning discarded plastic soft-drink bottles into beautiful upcycled, highly decorative giftboxes.
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Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana
Ethel Cofie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the highly competitive and traditionally male dominated tech industry on the African continent. Through her own business building efforts, and as a successful network builder for pan-African women in tech, she is helping to change the face of the industry, breaking down barriers to entry along the way.
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Monica Umwari, co-founder of Angaza, Rwanda
Two young Rwandan eco-preneurs are showing the world that great design combined with a passion for finding environmentally friendly ways of dealing with the country’s non-biodegradable waste, can create something beautiful. Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja have founded a young and funky eco-brand, Angaza, producing fashionable and highly desirable accessories made from upcycled waste products.
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Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding
If there is one woman that is proof positive of the power of individual entrepreneurs to make a difference, it is Dr Jennifer Riria. She has singlehandedly transformed the microfinance industry in Kenya in order to tangibly improve the lives of women. Because of her efforts, hundreds of thousands of Kenyan women now have access to finance, previously not available to them.
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