Larissa Pienaar, an entrepreneur and co-founder of an innovative all-woman app design and development company in South Africa

January 6, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Larissa Pienaar, co-founder of Elemant Applications (South Africa) — **Larissa Pienaar**, co-founder of Elemant Applications (South Africa)

Find a problem and develop a unique solution that will fix it - that’s often the starting point for any business, especially in the tech sector. For the all women team behind South African startup business, Element Applications, their goal in life and in business is to develop smart apps that will solve a range of challenges for other businesses and organisations. Their first foray into the commercial app space sees them creating a much-needed solution for salon owners who need to manage their businesses more efficiently.

Elizabeth Crotty, an entrepreneur in South Africa helping global clients relocate to Australia to start new lives

December 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Elizabeth Crotty, founder of Aurora Migration Consulting (South Africa)

Relocating to a new country is a daunting prospect for many people, and for those interested in making Australia their new homes, it can seem particularly challenging to make the move. That’s where entrepreneur Elizabeth Crotty, founder of Aurora Migration Consulting, comes in. She has created a one-stop-shop to help any would-be relocator to Australia with all the fine details.

Temilade Adegbite, a Nigerian shoemaker creating bespoke footwear with a social impact

December 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Temilade Adegbite, founder of Right Legs (Nigeria)

Everyone loves great shoes that both look good and feel great, but for many school-children in Nigeria, having such shoes is simply not an option. For entrepreneur shoemaker, Temilade Adegbite, founder of Right Legs, her passion for making great shoes combined with her desire to make a difference to these young lives, was the inspiration for her business.

Catherine Shipushu, a Namibian entrepreneur helping clients to build strong, sustainable brands

December 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Catherine Shipushu, founder of Azania Communications (Namibia) — **Catherine Shipushu**, founder of Azania Communications (Namibia)

For many companies and organizations, building a brand that will stand the test of time and still be relevant for years to come, takes specialist expertise and experience. In Namibia, Azania Communications, founded by Catherine Shipushu, brings both of those essential elements to any client serious about investing in their brands for the long term.

Deyzes Pereira, a Mozambican entrepreneur helping small companies to grow and thrive

December 23, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Deyzes Pereira, founder of Startups Consulting (Mozambique) — **Deyzes Pereira**, founder of Startups Consulting (Mozambique)

Any young startup knows how hard it is in the early days to build a strong business foundation. In Mozambique, that’s where Startups Consulting comes to the rescue. Founder Deyzes Pereira and her team bring years of experience and specialist knowledge to help any new business to put the right strategy and organisational structure in place to increase the odds of success.

Sharika Punwasi, an entrepreneur building a proudly South African kidswear brand with a strong Mauritius connection

December 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sharika Punwasi, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius) — **Sharika Punwasi**, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius)

Harnessing the power of partnerships is at the heart of many successful businesses. For Sharika Punwasi, founder of high-end kids fashion brand, My Cotton Tree, her partnerships were found in both South Africa and Mauritius, harnessing the best of skills and expertise in both markets.

Claudette Nahum and Nangula Shejavali, two entrepreneurs helping Namibia’s businesses to build sustainable companies

December 15, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali, founders of Leading Edge Management Consultants (Namibia) — **Claudette Nahum & Nangula Shejavali**, founders of Leading Edge Management Consultants (Namibia)

A healthy business eco-system needs strong, sustainable companies and organisations, and often they need the right developmental support, advice and expertise to grow. In Namibia, that’s where Leading Edge Management Consultants, founded by entrepreneurs Claudette Nahum and Nangula Shejavali, is there to help.

Sima Mlangeni, an entrepreneur based in Namibia using her passion for the hygiene industry as the inspiration for her business

December 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia) — **Sima Mlangeni**, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia)

Often, business success comes by finding the right market opportunities and then creating the products and services to meet the needs of those markets. For entrepreneur Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene, she identified a niche market opportunity in Namibia that would harness her expertise and experience in the specialist hygiene industry.

Amanda Simango, a creative graphic designer in Zimbabwe building a business that is driven by a love for her work

December 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Amanda Simango, founder of Amy Designs (Zimbabwe) — **Amanda Simango**, founder of Amy Designs (Zimbabwe)

For any company or organisation, building and maintaining a strong brand in the marketplace is key to success, and to achieve that goal relies on the support of great design and brand appeal. In Zimbabwe, Amanda Simango, founder of Amy Designs, is bringing a wealth of creativity and a portfolio of design expertise to help any client get noticed.

Paulina Alfeus, an entrepreneur finding an innovative use for old recycled oil drums in Namibia

December 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia) — **Paulina Alfeus**, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia)

Most people look at old discarded oil drums and other scrap metals and just see junk. But for entrepreneur Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment, she sees endless possibilities. Her business finds its inspiration in turning trash into treasure, creating innovative and desirable furniture from recycled scrap oil drums.

Liina Mutilifa, a passion driven eco-preneur on a mission to turn Namibia’s waste into practical new products

November 29, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Liina Mutilifa, founder of Green Earth Creations (Namibia) — **Liina Mutilifa**, founder of Green Earth Creations (Namibia)

The world is waking up to the need to be more environmentally conscious, but more needs to be done to tackle the problem of plastic and other waste. In Namibia, one entrepreneur, Liina Mutilifa, founder of Green Earth Creations, is playing her part by recycling plastic into desirable objects that consumers want and need.

Keshni Morar, a South African entrepreneur looking to bring a little style into busy women’s lives

November 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Keshni Morar, founder of Styld (South Africa) — **Keshni Morar**, founder of Styld (South Africa)

How often do you hear busy women, at home and at work, complaining about the fact they have so little time to look after their wardrobe and their image? Well in South Africa, help is at hand from a new personalised, online styling services called Styld, created by entrepreneur Keshni Morar.

Cynthia Botshelo Mothelesi, an entrepreneur sharing Botswana’s unique travel adventure story with her customers

November 25, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Cynthia Botshelo Mothelesi, founder of Happy Soul Adventures (Botswana) — **Cynthia Botshelo Mothelesi**, founder of Happy Soul Adventures (Botswana)

For many travellers, their experience of a country is limited to what the guidebook and their travel operator sets out for them. But for entrepreneur Cynthia Botshelo Mothelesi, founder of specialist travel adventure company Happy Soul Adventures, her wish is to create uniquely memorable and special experiences for visitors to her country.

Iriya Jona, an innovative entrepreneur in Namibia using seaweed to produce commercial chicken feed products

November 21, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Iriya Jona, founder of Nam-Oceanic Kelp Production Enterprise (Namibia) — **Iriya Jona**, founder of Nam-Oceanic Kelp Production Enterprise (Namibia)

Many people walking on the beautiful beaches along the Namibian coastline see large amounts of seaweed washed up every day and don’t pay any attention to it. However, entrepreneur Iriya Jona, founder of Nam-Oceanic Kelp Production Enterprise, sees business potential in this natural product and has developed an innovative new business that turns this seaweed into affordable, highly nutritious chicken feed products.

Sandra Mwiihangele, a multi award-winning manufacturer in Namibia harnessing the power of innovation in cosmetic chemistry

November 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Mwiihangele, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products (Namibia) — **Sandra Mwiihangele**, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products (Namibia)

Successful businesses start with a great product concept and a great vision, and for entrepreneur Sandra Mwiihangele, founder of Kiyomisandz Beauty Products, both these factors were in place from day one. Today, this innovative entrepreneur is building a successful business built on solid values, great technical expertise, and an understanding of what customers want and need.

Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, an entrepreneur from Cote d’Ivoire with a passion for bringing traditional African textiles into home decor

November 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design (Cote d’Ivoire) — **Tatiana Massangu Ilunga**, founder of Kiyana Design (Cote d’Ivoire)

Africa has a long tradition of producing the most beautiful textiles, and for entrepreneur Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design in Cote d’Ivoire, that design tradition was the inspiration for her business. Today, she is producing a range of home decor items that celebrate the best of African textile design.

Cindy Maleombho-Codo, an entrepreneur from Cote d’Ivoire helping women-owned businesses stand out from the crowd

November 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Cindy Maleombho-Codo, founder of Indoka Creative (Cote d’Ivoire) — **Cindy Maleombho-Codo**, founder of Indoka Creative (Cote d’Ivoire)

In today’s highly competitive and crowded marketplaces, it can be difficult to get your business and brand noticed in Africa. But help is at hand. Cindy Maleombho-Codo, founder of Indoka Creative, knows just what it takes to get your brand and products seen, and importantly, to connect them to those all important customers.

Laurettah Sibanda, an entrepreneur in Botswana building a successful construction and real estate development company

November 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Laurettah Sibanda, founder of Atlantis Construction Group and Developments (Botswana)

The world of building and construction is a tough one to break into, but one entrepreneur in Botswana is doing just that. Laurettah Sibanda, founder of Atlantis Construction Group and Developments (Pty) Ltd, is building a reputation for quality project delivery and a great approach to service.

Mavis Nduchwa, a serial, impact driven agripreneur in Botswana empowering local farmers to be the solution to hunger and poverty

November 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mavis Nduchwa, founder of Chabana Farms (Botswana) — **Mavis Nduchwa**, founder of Chabana Farms (Botswana)

A growing interest from consumers in knowing where their food comes from, how it is produced, and who is producing it, inspired serial agripreneur Mavis Nduchwa, founder of Chabana Farms, to create a solution. Today, her endeavours in agribusiness are making a real difference to people and lives all along the value chain.

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