Chika Ruth Nwajoku, a woman entrepreneur changing lives in Nigeria through footwear making

August 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Chika Ruth Nwajoku, founder, NCR Design Limited (NCR Design Shoemaking School) (Nigeria)

Chika Ruth Nwajoku is a women and youth entrepreneurship advocate and the founder of NCR Design Limited (NCR Design Shoemaking School) in Nigeria. The business was created to foster socio-economic growth and reduce youth unemployment in Nigeria through footwear making. Chika is a graduate of soil science from the Federal University of Technology Minna and an experienced salesperson who has built her career in a variety of industries for nine (9) years. She is passionate about empowering women and girls in the communities who are denied access to education because of poverty, early marriages, and the patriarchal nature of the society, and unemployed youths with vocational training, and skill acquisition programs in footwear making. Her business model empowers them to be financially independent, and contribute to economic development.

Fatima Agoujil, a Moroccan entrepreneur creating a unique tourism experience for visitors to her country

August 15, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fatima Agoujil, founder, Le Petit Riad (Morocco)

Fatima Agoujil is the founder of Le Petit Riad, a unique guest house business in the city of Ouarzazate in Morocco. She is an impressive example of a tourism professional and also of a woman entrepreneur who has taken the path of adventure. After a rich career as a tour guide and travel agent, Fatima created "Le Petit Riad" in order to welcome foreign visitors to the city in a warm family setting, sharing different cultures, traditions and typical Moroccan meals. She is a woman entrepreneur driven by the pleasure of moving forward and the curiosity to continually discover new things.

Kunjina Tesfaye, an Ethiopian creative entrepreneur building a proud ready-to-wear fashion brand

August 8, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Kunjina Tesfaye is the founder and creative director of Kunjina, a fashion brand established in 2017 in Ethiopia while she was a university student studying construction technology and management. The brand mainly caters to women and also makes some unisex items. Kunjina’s main sales outlet is the physical store located in Addis Ababa, and the business is also on its way to launching an e-commerce site soon. Kunjina currently has five employees working for the brand.

Fatou Sarr, a Senegalese entrepreneur turning aloe vera into a natural cosmetics and food supplement brand

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fatou Sarr is an entrepreneur and the founder and ceo of Takhar Aloè Véra which is a company producing and processing aloe vera into cosmetic products and natural food supplements. She is also the ceo of its market gardening business which focuses on agricultural production. Fatou was born in the region of Fatick in Senegal and her entrepreneurial journey started after she completed her scientific studies in high school, where she took professional training in computer networking. Today she is also a computer network technician.

Hortense Mbea, a Cameroonian entrepreneur building an African lifestyle brand

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Hortense Mbea, founder, Afropian (Cameroon)

Hortense Mbea is a professional interpreter as well as a creative entrepreneur from Cameroon and the founder of lifestyle brand Afropian which was launched in 2017 in in Addis Ababa. A true nomad and multicultural woman, she was born in the USA and lived in many countries, while always staying very connected to Africa. The Afropian brand is Pan African and it gave Hortense the opportunity to bring together her passion for art and creativity and her mission to promote African excellence and unity. She gained international recognition with coverage from Vogue Italy, was invited to take part in prestigious events such as Addis Ababa Fashion Week and many shows and panels. Her vision is for the world to «Wear Africa Proudly », which is the motto of her brand. She fulfills her mission by providing quality, unique pieces which tell many stories of African tradition and are 100% Made in Africa.

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, an entrepreneur from Cameroon creating renewable energy solutions

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, founder and CEO, Energie d’Afrique (Cameroon)

As the founder and CEO of Energie d’Afrique, Soukaina Bouba Dalil is an engineer in renewable energy. She is 26 years old and comes from the far north region of Cameroon, a rather vulnerable part of the country. It is important to know that the effects of climate change in this part of the region are unavoidable on crops, water and energy resources. As an advocate of sustainable development, Soukaina felt challenged and this is where the idea of her entrepreneurial adventure started in order to meet primary needs and bring sustainable economic and ecological solutions in areas with energy deficits. The company is young, dynamic and is deployed all over the country, and its activities fully contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives.

Lilian Makoi, an entrepreneur in Tanzania passionate about improving lives through technology

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lilian Makoi, Co-Founder & CEO, MipangoApp (Tanzania)

Lilian Makoi is a Serial Entrepreneur who is passionate about technology and the opportunities it has in improving the lives of especially the mass population in Africa. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of MipangoApp, the Founder of Jamii Africa, and the Co-Founder of Stripesnsigns & FroKid Technologies. Lilian has received multiple local and international awards for being highly innovative and creating solutions with regional impact. Lilian was named Most Innovative Woman in Technology by The World Economic Forum 2016 amongst other accolades. She has a Master’s in International Business.

Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur, transforming homes and spaces in Cameroon

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Manuela Kamadjou, founder, Kebe Home (Cameroon)

After finishing business school, Manuela Kamadjou started her career in Finance in a Big Four company. She then shifted to the cosmetics industry in search of more reality! An entrepreneur since 2019, Manuela founded Kebe Home, a passion project that became an interior laboratory and whose mission is to use the power of design and culture to inspire people.

Renee Beck, a South African entrepreneur passionate about personal development

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Renee Beck, founder, Pink Lemon (South Africa)

Whether you are an individual looking to fulfill your potential, or a corporate looking to bring the best out in your people, it’s essential to get the right development support. In South Africa, Renee Beck, founder of personal growth and business development company Pink Lemon, has all the expertise and experienced needed.

Tshegofatso Moatswi, an entrepreneur creating smart digital workplace solutions in Botswana

July 10, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Tshegofatso Moatswi, founder and Chief Executive Director, The Wire Media Agency (Botswana)

Tshegofatso Moatswi is the founder and Chief Executive Director of The Wire Media Agency, which is an Information and Technology Company in Botswana that offers workplace solutions. The Wire Media Agency was incorporated in 2013 and initially wanted to go the media route, hence the name, but as time went on moved towards the Information and Technology sector to offer disruptive and transformational technologies. The Wire Media Agency is a female and youth owned company in a male dominant industry and has 7 employees.

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, a cyber law specialist helping clients to deal with cyber security challenges

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, founder, Orizur Consulting Enterprise (South Africa)

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi is a Cyber Law Specialist, a former public servant, and an award-winning thought leader who founded Orizur Consulting Enterprise in South Africa. She is a highly skilled knowledge worker with nearly two decades of experience working in a multi-disciplinary Cyber Law space. In her current role as a Cybersecurity Governance Specialist, she has pioneered unique solutions that creatively bring together cyber security governance, ICT procurement, and contract management. These regulatory compatible solutions give clients the ability to reduce cybersecurity and financial risks, whilst achieving cybersecurity regulatory compliance.

Adanne Uche, a Nigerian agro-processing entrepreneur on a mission to improve consumer nutrition

June 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Adanne Uche, founder & CEO of Ady's Food Mart (Nigeria)

Adanne Uche is the founder/CEO of Ady's Food Mart, an agro-processing company in Nigeria that ensures families choose a healthier option in cooking ingredients and Spices. A graduate of Foreign Languages and Literature, she started Ady's Food Mart in 2017 in a bid to improve nutrition and well-being of consumers.

Makhosazana Megan Ngubane, a South African edupreneur committed to empowerment through skills development

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Makhosazana Megan Ngubane, founder, Makhophila Training (South Africa)

To change people’s economic prospects, it’s essential to give them the skills they need to access jobs or to start their own businesses. In South Africa, Makhosazana Megan Ngubane has built a highly effective, specialist education business, Makhophila Training, to provide those essential skills, particularly to people in rural areas.

Zanele Hobongwana, a South African edupreneur uplifting young people through maths and science

June 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Zanele Hobongwana, founder, Swazi Tutor Academy (South Africa)

Every country knows that the education of young people is key to the alleviation of poverty and the economic growth of communities as a whole. In South Africa, Zanele Hobongwana, founder of Swazi Tutor Academy, is playing her role in tackling education in maths and science at a community level. Her work is helping to change young people’s lives as they open their minds and develop the key learning skills they need to become active contributing members of society.

Caley van der Kolk, a South African entrepreneur connecting makers to markets

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Caley van der Kolk, founder, AYA Africa (South Africa)

One of the biggest challenges facing small creative goods makers and manufacturers is getting access to markets. Caley van der Kolk, founder of AYA Africa, has created a digital platform that allows small-scale makers and manufacturers to market and sell their goods online.

Kulukaya Sadiki, a sustainable fashion designer making an impact in Malawi

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Kulukaya Sadiki, founder, Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio (Malawi)

The fashion sector is one of the most important sectors from a job creation and economic contribution perspective, and for Kulukaya Sadiki, founder of Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio in Malawi, sustainable fashion is key. Her business approach is to incorporate fabric recycling and reuse into the production process to create timeless fashion pieces with minimal environmental impact.

Emilia Banda Tambatamba, a Mozambican coffee brand builder helping SMEs to grow

May 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Emilia Banda Tambatamba, founder, Dvyn Treat Batamba’s (Mozambique)

Dvyn Treat Batamba’s is a Mozambican coffee brand and business, co-founded by Emilia Banda Tambatamba with the aim to assist SMEs with tailored coffee machinery solutions and premium fresh roasted coffee beans. She manages the daily operation of the business and also works a full-time job as a business assistant for an international company, working with sales and after-sales.

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