the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds (South Africa)
Who doesn’t love diamonds? These fascinating precious stones that are infused with so many stories, memories, dreams on the part of the owners and wearers. For Clare Appleyard, her love for and extensive technical knowledge of the diamond industry led her to launch her own business, Katannuta Diamonds.
Read more
Lee Chisale, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi)
In Africa, the health and wellness industry is a growing business sector, but in Malawi there was a definite gap for a luxury wellness spa brand in the market. Belle Afrique, the entrepreneurial brainchild of Lee Chisale, is filling that gap with a world class brand and product offering.
Read more
Sazia Sousa, founder of Technoplus (Mozambique)
Mastering the art of the career pivot is something that Sazia Sousa knows well, having originally studied to be an architect and then making the move into computer engineering. This adventurous move has led to her becoming a key player in this highly competitive field with the creation of her company Technoplus.
Read more
Kelebogile Makhafola, founder of Maruapula Brand (South Africa)
For any business, large or small, one of the biggest challenges can be developing and communicating a unique brand essence, one that engages and connects with customers and employees alike. Maruapula Brand, founded by entrepreneur Kelebogile Makhafola, is helping those businesses through this brand maze.
Read more
Tania Shedden, founder of Sweet Social Studio (South Africa)
As entrepreneurs we all know how important it is to build an effective social media presence to engage with customers and get people talking in the most powerful way about our businesses and brands. Yet for many people, it’s hard work and very time consuming. That’s where Tania Shedden, founder of Sweet Social Studio, has the solution.
Read more
Bitania Amare, founder of WeDeliver (Ethiopia)
If you have ever experienced that feeling of being in the work environment and feeling hungry, but not being able to leave the office or workspace because things are just too busy, then WeDeliver, a startup business founded by entrepreneur Bitania Amare has the answer. Her new online ordering platform is making it easy for consumers to get their purchases delivered directly to them.
Read more
Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi)
For people in corporate or public life, developing core leadership skills is key to success and career progression, but that often requires specialist coaching and mentoring support. In Malawi, one woman entrepreneur, Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint, is fulfilling that role and bringing specialist coaching programs to those who need them.
Read more
Nureshka Viranna, founder of ShopLi (South Africa)
For many businesses, getting products and services to markets and customers is the hardest part of the journey. But for entrepreneurs in South Africa, there is now a specialist service on offer. ShopLi, the brainchild of Nureshka Viranna, is helping businesses to create their own online stores and catalogues, to attract customers and convert them into sales.
Read more
Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)
Every successful event needs a great Master of Ceremonies to keep things moving according to schedule and importantly to keep audiences engaged. In Malawi, one of the most popular MCs currently is Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee, bringing her unique style and personality to enliven any event.
Read more
Phanice Shamalla, founder of Iris Management (Kenya)
For many people, staying fit and healthy is a real challenge and often requires a combination of specialist help, advice and access to resources, to make those essential healthy living choices. Iris Management, the business venture of health and wellbeing entrepreneur, Phanice Shamalla, is working hard to change mindsets and make it easier for people to think and live healthier lives.
Read more
Tarina Du Plessis, founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions (Namibia)
For many business startups, the list of things that need to be done and put in place to ensure a good foundation can be daunting. But entrepreneur Tarina Du Plessis, founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions, is on a mission to make it simpler. She is there to walk each step of the journey with her clients, making it less stressful and very much solution oriented.
Read more
Chantelle Beukes, founder of La Fede (South Africa)
La Fede, which means ‘faith’ in Italian, is a handcrafted heirloom toy company with a difference, as each individually created piece is inspired by a character or a story. The company, created by South African entrepreneur, Chantelle Beukes, is on a mission to bring a smile to young children’s faces as they harness the power of their imaginations to play with the beautiful, quirky toys she makes.
Read more
Jazeera Suwani, founder Say it with Chocolate (Kenya)
For the many people who long for the wonderful taste of chocolate but their dietary regimes mean it is not an option, Kenyan entrepreneur Jazeera Suwani, founder of Say it with Chocolate, has the answer. She has created a business making fabulous handmade chocolates that specifically cater for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
Read more
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
Building a fashion brand with a unique personality, great style appeal, and a social conscience can be a tall order for many. But for the talented designer and entrepreneur, Lilly Alfonso, a leading light on the Malawian fashion and businessscene, this is the nature of the business and brand she is building.
Read more
Tinky Ogle, founder of SMME News (South Africa)
If there is something that small businesses can never get enough of, it’s access to great, relevant and timeous advice and information, and that’s where South African publishing entrepreneur Tinky Ogle comes in. Her publication, SMME News, is playing a key role in bringing news and information right into the heart of the entrepreneurial community in which she lives and works.
Read more
Sanja Hanekom, founder of Noir Chocolates SA (South Africa)
Chocolate lovers who are on the look out for high quality chocolates that are produced using the finest ingredients and that are also gluten free, have found a champion in Sanja Hanekom, the founder of Noir Chocolates SA. She is creating delicious chocolate gifting ideas for individuals and corporates alike.
Read more
Mary-Jean Treloar, founder of MΛRY JEΛN JEWELLERY (South Africa)
Some people are born creative, and others are born entrepreneurial, and if you are lucky, you get to be a combination of the two! South African entrepreneur and talented jewellery designer, Mary-Jean Treloar, displays both of these traits in huge quantities. Her highly personal brand, MΛRY JEΛN JEWELLERY, is inspired by the continent she loves and the stories that are woven into the very fabric of society. Her unique work is winning fans of great jewellery design both at home and abroad.
Read more
Helen Asimegbe, founder of Stylemark Mall Enterprises (Nigeria)
It’s not always easy, making the transition from corporate to entrepreneur, but for Helen Asimegbe, founder of Stylemark Mall Enterprises in Nigeria, it was a personal dream and a promise to herself. Today, she is doing what she loves, building a highly customer-centric retail business, whilst at the same time playing her part in helping other entrepreneurs to realize their dreams too.
Read more
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)
With her entrepreneurial spirit, the renowned wildlife conservationist and social entrepreneur, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, was determined to find a solution that could help coffee farmers on the slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, while improving their attitudes towards conservation. The result: Gorilla Conservation Coffee—a social enterprise created through a partnership between Conservation Through Public Health and Worldwide Fund for Nature Switzerland.
Read more
Vicki Bain, founder of Chocoloza (South Africa)
For all true chocolate lovers out there who are constantly on the search for the purest of taste sensations and the highest quality ingredients, there is a new, proudly African brand that is getting people talking. Chocoloza, the brainchild of entrepreneur and passionate chocolatier, Vicki Bain, combines the best Belgian chocolate with the finest local, fresh African ingredients. The result is a taste sensation unlike anything else you will taste in the chocolate world.
Read more