the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Emily Kandanga, Lwando Mufune and Lwimba Mufune, founders of Sweat Fitness (Namibia)
Startup Story
For many people, getting fit is a real challenge and one that requires not just motivation but also specialist help and advice. In Namibia, that’s where niche business Sweat Fitness comes in. Founded by entrepreneur and passionate fitness advocate Emily Kandanga and her two co-founders, Lwando Mufune and Lwimba Mufune, they are taking fitness to the next level in the country.
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Startup Story
When it comes to creating make-up for special events, television and photography shoots, it needs professional expertise. In Angola, a team of women experts in the specialist make-up industry have been brought together by Juvenália Brito, under the Juvenália Beauty brand, a business offering truly professional and beautiful make-overs.
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Startup Story
Health and wellness conscious women in Angola have a wonderful source of help when it comes to getting great support and resources to aid overall wellbeing. Okupuyuka Brunch and Wellness is a business that is the brainchild of three women entrepreneurs who want to create a one-stop-shop for women to eat healthily, de-stress with great wellness treatments, and exercise with like-minded women.
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Filipa Oliveira, founder of MIRA Market Intelligence Research Angola
Startup Story
Any successful business knows that getting access to accurate and timeous market research and data is essential to success. Entrepreneur Filipa Oliveira, founder of MIRA Market Intelligence Research Angola, is bringing world class market insights to her customers to help them to tap into and grow their customer bases.
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Vânia Ribeiro, founder of Assinebwe, Lda (Angola)
Startup Story
In Angola, individuals and companies spend vast amounts of time completing administrative tasks by hand that can be done in minutes by harnessing the power of digital technology. Entrepreneur Vânia Ribeiro, founder of Assinebwe, Lda, is bringing the necessary software solutions to make things faster and more efficient.
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Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare (Zimbabwe)
Startup Story
As more and more people are becoming conscious about the type of products they put onto their skin, the desire to find more natural solutions is growing. In Zimbabwe, Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare and an experienced Aesthetician herself, has the solution.
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Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth (Zimbabwe)
Startup Story
Africa is a young continent with millions of young people with vast potential ready to make their contributions to its future economic development and prosperity. But those young people need support, encouragement and the right environment to thrive. In Zimbabwe, social entrepreneur Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth, has created an enterprise committed to empowering young people to fulfill that potential.
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Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers (Zimbabwe)
Startup Story
Zimbabwe has a reputation for producing quality handcrafted goods. But entrepreneur Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers, is looking to build a legacy business that harnesses that creativity to produce accessories that local consumers and visitors alike want to buy.
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Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts (South Africa)
Startup Story
In the world of business, every woman executive wants to look good and feel confident when they present themselves to their clients and to their staff in the workplace. But often, finding that perfectly fitting and great looking suit or item of formalwear, can be difficult, especially when time is a scarce commodity. In South Africa, that’s where Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts, comes to the rescue. Her bespoke approach to tailoring means that clients’ individual clothing needs are met in a stress free way.
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Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel (South Africa)
Startup Story
Many businesses and organisations find planning their travel and logistics a real headache, not to mention, stressful and time-consuming. For entrepreneur Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel in South Africa, this provided a unique business opportunity. Today, her business is thriving and her customers get to enjoy a stress-free experience, no matter where or how they are travelling.
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Startup Story
Entrepreneur Mapholo Ratau knows how to spot a gap in the marketplace, and for her, that gap was finding high quality, contemporary clothing designs that were a celebration of South African culture. Her solution was to create an exciting brand and range of clothing that is unmistakably her own.
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Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas (Mozambique)
Startup Story
When you are a new mom, getting access to great quality information and resources, combined with insights and opinions from other moms is so useful. So in Mozambique, one woman entrepreneur is creating the ultimate, go-to resource for parents to be and those who are already on their family raising journey. Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas, is creating a safe space for the sharing of information and feedback so that moms and dads can learn from each other and get access to great resources too.
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Hape Marite Mphale, founder of Blackhair (Lesotho)
Startup Story
The haircare business globally is big business, and in Africa, the market for high quality, home-grown brands that know exactly how to cater to the specific haircare needs of African women is exploding. In Lesotho, entrepreneur Hape Marite Mphale has created the Blackhair brand, a popular and rapidly growing natural hair care brand and range of products.
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Ana Lloyd Vasconcelos (Angola)
Startup Story
Finding stunningly beautiful clothes to wear for any occasion in Angola, whether formal or casual wear, has never been easier, thanks to the creative design talent of Ana Lloyd Vasconcelos. Her fashion company and brand, AnaLoyd Lda, is bringing a touch of glamour to all her customers who want to look and feel beautiful in her clothing.
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Ntsiuoa Makoae, founder of Boiphihlelo (Lesotho)
Startup Story
In Lesotho, one enterprising woman took a challenge of finding new markets for local dairy farmers and turned it into a successful business venture. Ntsiuoa Makoae, founder of Boiphihlelo, is today producing a popular range of dairy products that provide an income for local dairy farmers and a source of great nutrition for local consumers.
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Morenike Okebu, founder of Reni Legal (Nigeria)
Startup Story
As every entrepreneur knows, getting the right legal advice for a growing business is essential, yet it can often be out of reach from an affordability perspective in the early days. But in Nigeria, entrepreneur and lawyer, Morenike Okebu, founder of Reni Legal, is bringing legal advice and expertise within reach of all SMEs.
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Zilia Ximenes, founder of Zximenes – Imobiliária (Angola)
Startup Story
Finding the right property for your business or personal needs can be a stressful and time consuming process, and one that requires specialist expertise. In Angola, entrepreneur Zilia Ximenes, founder of Zximenes – Imobiliária, is helping her clients with all their property needs, bringing her personalized approach and specialist experience to every job.
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Nandi Usher, founder of Nandi’s Beauty Creations (Botswana)
Startup Story
Every woman wants to look and feel good, but not everyone can travel to a spa. However, in Botswana, one enterprising woman has created a mobile beauty spa experience that is convenient and affordable. Nandi Usher, founder of Nandi’s Beauty Creations, is winning fans with her quality service and products.
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Lynelle Blunden, owner of City Granite (South Africa)
Startup Story
Visit any good home, office or hotel interior and the chances are you will see beautiful granite or marble work surfaces and staircases. They are the mark of a high quality interior design space. In South Africa, entrepreneur Lynelle Blunden, owner of City Granite, is a specialist in fabricating and installing these unique materials to transform any ordinary space into something special.
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Selma Uamusse, founder of Nhani (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Many consumers are becoming much more discerning and knowledgeable about the cosmetics they buy and put onto their skin. But finding good quality organic cosmetic products that celebrate local, natural plants and production techniques can be difficult. That’s where Mozambican entrepreneur, Selma Uamusse, founder of Nhani comes in. She is producing great quality, organic cosmetic products that customers want to buy and can trust.
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