Wangechi Mwangi founder of Kenyan fintech startup Valuraha, has been awarded the 2015 Global Social Impact Award by GSEA

April 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

(Centre) Wangechi Mwangi, co-founder and chief executive officer of Valuraha (Kenya) — (Centre) **Wangechi Mwangi**, co-founder and chief executive officer of Valuraha (Kenya)

On April 17th the US-based Entrepreneurs' Organization's (EO) Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), the premier global competition honoring the top student entrepreneurs who have founded and are running revenue-generating businesses, named Wangechi Mwangi, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Kenyan fintech startup Valuraha, as winner of the Global Social Impact Award. The award gala took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Johannesburg entrepreneurs harness the local urban market trend providing artisanal food and lifestyle shopping

April 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

When it comes to finding great places in which to hang-out and relax at the weekend, Johannesburg urbanites can now add to their lists a wealth of on-trend destinations downtown in the old converted industrial warehouses of the City, now transformed into artisanal food and entertainment spaces. The latest of these developments is The Sheds@1 Fox Street.

A window of opportunity opens for Africa’s fashion industry - the trick is to keep it open

April 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi, co-founder and director of award-winning Ugandan fashion retail outlet, BOLD Kampala, gives her thoughts on the opportunities presented to the African fashion industry through the recent global interest in African print fabrics.

Dr Jennifer Riria named 'Africa Economy Builders – Entrepreneur of the Year for 2015'

April 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria, founder and Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding has been named as the Africa Economy Builders – Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2015. She will be the first woman from East Africa to win this prestigious pan-Africa award that seeks to reward and recognize persons who have contributed significantly to Africa’s growth.

Quote of the Day

April 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

"The sad truth is there isn't a formula for success for women - or a path to the C-Suite. What we can do, though, is hear (women's) stories. We can hear how they built their businesses, what their business is and let them strut their stuff."

- Stephanie Ruhle is an anchor and managing editor for Bloomberg Television and editor-at-large for Bloomberg News, based in New York. She serves as co-host of "Market Makers," and regularly interviews industry titans. Prior to joining Bloomberg, Stephanie served as a Managing Director in Global Markets Senior Relationship Management at Deutsche Bank. There, she oversaw relationships for some of Deutsche Bank's largest hedge fund clients.

Rainat Komolafe - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur taking all the stress out of shopping for your baby

April 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rainat Komolafe, founder of Babies Essence, Nigeria — **Rainat Komolafe**, founder of Babies Essence, Nigeria

For new parents-to-be in Nigeria, planning for the new arrival can be a little daunting, particularly if it is a first baby. So, entrepreneur Rainat Komolafe has created a startup business, Babies Essence, taking all the guess work and effort out of the process, providing a genuinely one-stop shop for everything needed to welcome the new member of the family into the world.

Young entrepreneurs supported with a creative showcase at Kamers Johannesburg

April 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Kamers Autumn 2015 at St John's School in Johannesburg

The rising consumer interest in young, creative startups and the appeal of the artisan 'maker & crafter' phenomenon is being acknowledged by the Kamers creative pop-up exhibitions and showcases. The Kamers Young Entrepreneurs Initiative is a conscious move to provide local, young and talented entrepreneurs with a subsidised exhibition opportunity at the hugely successful Kamers series of events across the country.

Viva La Revolución! Fashion Revolution in South Africa

April 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Guest Blog by Georgie Polkinghorne

Fashion Revolution is an International Day celebrating sustainable and ethical fashion in key cities around the world. Cape Town commemorated its own Fashion Revolution Day on Friday 24th April at the Bello Studio at the Old Biscuit Mill. Cape Town’s fashion community, from editors to designers, gathered to celebrate the country's best sustainable and locally produced fashion. LoA fcovered this exciting event....

3 Inspiring women recognised at Ugandan MTN Awards

April 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Kembambazi Sabiiti, Lindsay Handler and Barbara Ofwono — L-R: Kembambazi Sabiiti, Lindsay Handler and Barbara Ofwono

This month, Uganda is celebrating the achievements of three inspirational women, all recognised by the prestigious 2015 MTN Women in Business Awards. Barbara Ofwono, founder of Victorious Schools took home the much coveted overall award of MTN Women in Business SME CEO of the Year, applauded for her outstanding use of MTN Business’s overall service and value propositions to grow her business substantially.

Essential Read: 'Do Cool Sh*t' by Miki Agrawal

April 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Miki Agrawal, author, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, speaker and tv personality — **Miki Agrawal**, author, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, speaker and tv personality

Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After is less of a how-to book and rather more of a personal roller-coaster ride of a story on how one hip, trendy and highly ambitious entrepreneur did it for herself. It is unconventional in its approach, yet hugely inspirational, encouraging, funny and liberating for anyone reading it.

Tamara Watkins & Akila Hunte - The startup story of two passionate online fashion retailers opening global markets to African women designers

April 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tamara Watkins, co-founder of shopDOKU.com — **Tamara Watkins**, co-founder of shopDOKU.com

One of the key challenges often facing talented and ambitious African women fashion designers is how to access global markets and successfully position their brands to international buyers. Tamara Watkins and her business partner Akila Hunte have a solution - their passion for raising awareness of emerging design talent, particularly from the African continent, led the team to set up an online marketplace, shopDOKU.com, retailing the creations of emerging designers to buyers in North America and the United Kingdom.

Amy Sinovich - The startup story of a South African jewellery designer telling inspirational stories through her wearable art

April 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Amy Sinovich, founder of Resonate by amy — **Amy Sinovich**, founder of Resonate by amy

There is something truly wonderful about translating the power of storytelling into beautiful pieces of bespoke, wearable art that connect on a deeply personal level with the person commissioning it. Amy Sinovich is an incredibly talented South African jewellery designer that is one such storyteller par excellence. Every unique handcrafted piece she creates from precious metals and semi-precious stones tells its own story, inspired by nature, poetry and the life of the person for whom it is made.

Sheila Mokgoadi - The startup story of a woman building a handcrafted Afroluxe jewellery brand with a modern twist

April 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sheila Mokgoadi, founder of Azura Luxury Handcrafts — **Sheila Mokgoadi**, founder of Azura Luxury Handcrafts

Inspired by the unique, joyous nature of traditional African jewellery design, Sheila Mokgoadi’s luxury brand, Azura Luxury Handcrafts, has created a range of bold, chic and highly desirable pieces that appeals to the most sophisticated global buyers. Her dedication to ensuring the highest levels of craftsmanship, combined with a fiercely modern design aesthetic, are what make this African luxury jewellery brand so unique.

Save the date! Bold Kampala's world tour to arrive in Kigali on 16th May

April 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

The Bold Kampala World Tour continues at a pace, hot on the heels of the team's great success in London recently. This time, the Bold Kampala team is heading to Kigali in Rwanda to showcase some of the most fabulous fashion items in its latest pop-up store concept.

Rapelang Rabana - The startup story of an entrepreneur harnessing the power of technology to empower learning

April 21, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rapelang Rabana, founder & CEO of Rekindle Learning — **Rapelang Rabana**, founder & CEO of Rekindle Learning

A long-term interest in learning and education, combined with a belief that mobile and internet technology will be instrumental in solving a number of socio-economic challenges at scale, led successful techpreneur, Rapelang Rabana, to establish Rekindle Learning. This highly innovative learning and development company is using the power of mobile and computer learning applications to enable access to knowledge in the palm of their hands.

Natalie and Kim Ellis - The startup story of The Joinery who are part of a new design wave in Slow Fashion

April 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Natalie & Kim Ellis, founders of The Joinery — **Natalie & Kim Ellis**, founders of The Joinery

Around the world, there is a growing awareness about the need for a more ethically mindful and less environmentally impactful approach to be taken by the fashion industry. Two South African fashionpreneurs are passionately committed to a new Slow Fashion movement which combines a passion for design with a more environmental friendly approach and footprint, and a strong social conscience.

African Women In Technology Take A Huge Step

April 20, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: Modern Ghana | by Raindolf Owusu | 20 April 2015

In the past few years there has been a flourishing number of self-organisation amongst African women in technology. Many focus on encouraging women entering the field as coders, IT managers and to establish enterprises that increase women's socio-economic well-being. Projects have also focused on improving self-reliance and livelihoods in rural areas.

5 Top tips to keep you motivated as a solopreneur

April 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Guest Blog: by Lireko Dorothy Ncube

It is sometimes hard to stay motivated when the business environment is looking gloomy, compounded by the fact that the regional economy is having its share of ups and downs, ultimately driving most solopreneurs crazy.

'Women in Tech Africa' lead the way to build a pan-African network for women in the tech sector

April 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Members of Women in Tech Africa — Members of Women in Tech Africa

Working in technology can, at times, be an isolating experience for women, especially in Africa. The impact of this can limit women’s professional growth in the sector. Women need mentors, role-models and a network in order to share their experiences, challenges and skills. 'Women in Tech Africa' are providing a solution by building a pan-African network for the continent's women in the tech sector.