the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Claire Keet, founder of Sentiens (South Africa)
For those of us who have spent hours in yoga studios, with boring yoga mats tucked under our arms, help is at hand. Claire Keet, founder of Sentiens, is on a mission to create beautiful yet practical yoga mats that will inspire anyone looking for that perfect zen moment as they exercise and meditate.
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Angela Livu, founder of Luxury Hair (Kenya)
Having beautiful hair is something many women long for, but often can’t attain. For one Kenyan entrepreneur, Angela Livu, this provided an opportunity to create a business that would provide the solution. Her company, Luxury Hair, is providing discerning women with the highest quality hair products that are 100% ethically sourced and beautiful to look at and wear.
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Mignionette Fair, founder of Fair Translation and Editing Services (South Africa)
In the world of business, the art of storytelling is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity. People connect with brands through stories and therefore companies are becoming more aware of the need to tell those stories in a way that will best connect with consumers. Entrepreneur and language guru, Mignionette Fair, the founder of Fair Translation and Editing Services, has a passion for helping companies to master the art of language to make that all important connection with customers.
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Karené Wedekind, founder of Karené Wedekind Photography (South Africa)
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and in the case of South African entrepreneur, Karené Wedekind, she is capturing eye-catching images that can help businesses to portray themselves and their products in the best possible light.
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Nish & Hanita Muthray, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa)
Many entrepreneurs find themselves pivoting along their career journeys, often by finding a passion that can translate into a business. Hanita Muthray’s entrepreneurial journey took such a turn, making the move from physiotherapy and joining the family business. Today, her experience and passion for wellness has found a new mission through the creation of a successful company, Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort, that creates a unique spa and wellness experience for individuals and corporates alike.
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Christine Khasinah Odero, founder of Supamamas (Kenya)
Every mum and mum-to-be knows how important it is to learn as much as possible about being a parent and caring for those precious little ones. Seeing a gap in the market for a focused online and event platform that would bring the best information, networking and support for mums in Kenya, led to entrepreneur Christine Khasinah Odero creating Supamamas, a destination of choice for discerning mums.
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Abisola Owolawi, founder of 30Watt Media (Nigeria)
Nigerian woman-owned startup 30Watt Media understands the power of exceptional service delivery and great communication, helping companies to make the necessary business shifts from simply selling products to offering real customer experiences. At the heart of the business is an understanding of the power of human capital to make a difference to the way consumers experience brands and businesses.
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Mariam Mpaata, founder of Junior Stars Youth Development Programme (Kenya)
To make real social change happen in Africa, you need people with the vision and passion to make a difference, and to find practical solutions to challenges faced each day. Mariam Mpaata is one such social entrepreneur on a mission to empower youth and women through the power of soccer, and started her Junior Stars Youth Development Programme to make a huge impact on young people’s lives in Kenya.
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Valerie Nyamwaya, founder of Afrivazi Limited (Kenya)
Kenya is fast becoming a rising star of African fashion, with new talented designers emerging every day. Afrivazi is a company helping those designers reach discerning customers looking to support proudly ‘Made in Kenya’ brand names, and its founder Valerie Nyamwaya, is an entrepreneur on a mission to make it happen.
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Michelle Ntalami, founder of Marini Naturals (Kenya)
Marini Naturals is a proudly Kenyan natural haircare brand, designed to celebrate women’s natural kinks and curls. Founded by entrepreneur Michelle Ntalami, the vision for the brand is to create a range of haircare products that take their inspiration and ingredients from nature, but which help beauty conscious women to really showcase their beautiful and naturally curly hair.
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Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)
Africa’s mining sector is focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the continent. Local communities depend on these natural resources for their futures and this requires new ways of thinking, not to mention a new approach to ensuring diversity in the sector. One woman entrepreneur is leading the way - Tiguidanke Mounir Camara is the founder of the woman-mine owned TIGUI MINING GROUP (TMG) and is carving a new and exciting pathway for women in Africa’s mining sector.
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Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine (South Africa)
Creatives and their work need to be seen to be appreciated, and often finding the right outlets and platforms to achieve that visibility is tough, particularly in Africa. One entrepreneur, Amanda Sibiya, co-founder of Conté Magazine is looking to change that, by creating a high quality, content rich publication and accompanying exhibition event that aims to put the continent’s creatives on the map.
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Mary Njoki, founder of Glass House PR (Kenya)
The world of public relations and brand positioning is a highly competitive one, particularly on the African continent, but Mary Njoki, the founder of successful Kenyan PR firm Glass House PR, is determined to be an industry leader by building a foundation of innovation and creativity.
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Robertinah Nzula, founder of The Tianar Models (Kenya)
Changing perceptions and creating opportunities are objectives at the heart of The Tianar Models, an organisation created by Robertinah Nzula, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to make a difference to the lives of others. She is not only changing an industry sector for the better, but she is empowering young people to follow their unique career and life paths.
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Thiitu Karega, founder Binti Naturals (Kenya)
Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are inspired to create businesses as a way of not only fulfilling personal ambitions and goals, but also of creating solutions or products that can help others. Binti Naturals is one such company that is looking to make its mark on the African beauty scene and provide natural beauty solutions for women who want an organic alternative.
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Stella Langat, co-founder of Double Dee's (Kenya)
Many women in Africa struggle to find well made, proper fitting, beautiful lingerie that has been specifically designed and crafted for larger bust sizes. But now, one Kenyan company is providing a solution in the country. Double Dee's is designing and retailing a beautiful new range of lingerie for women with larger breasts, and as a result, making a name for itself in the marketplace.
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Kendi Sapepa, founder of Barbara McKenzie (South Africa)
Every fashion designer dreams of one day having their designs worn by the stars and photographed at red-carpet events, and for Johannesburg-based clothing brand builder, that dream is already starting to come true. Kendi Sapepa may be in the early days of creating a brand to be reckoned with, but already her designs have graced the red carpet of the prestigious SAFTAs, the South African Fashion and Television Awards. This is a brand to watch in the future.
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Shikha Vincent, founder of SHIKHAZURI (Kenya)
Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are inspired to start their businesses because of a personal passion, and in the case of Kenyan entrepreneur Shikha Vincent, her jewellery design company SHIKHAZURI, was motivated by just such passions. Her fascination with ethnic and tribal jewellery from across the African continent, combined with her desire to support wildlife conservation in her country, resulted in the creation of a jewellery brand with a strong backstory and purpose which is resonating with customers at home and abroad.
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Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Any successful business knows the importance of strong marketing campaigns to get key messages to customers and connect them to brands and services. One Kenyan company, Round Square Marketing Limited, founded by entrepreneur Fidelis Wanjiku, is demonstrating a powerful track record in creating campaigns and solutions that delivers to its clients.
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Yvonne Manyiki, founder of Dimzique Enterprise (South Africa)
A love of traditional beadwork, combined with a passion for creating unique colourful and eye-catching pieces, led South African entrepreneur Yvonne Manyiki to startup her company Dimzique Enterprise, and tap into the market for affordable yet elegant costume jewellery. The country’s markets and festivals provide a wealth of customers who appreciate her fine beadwork and her wonderful creative eye for design.
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