the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Deola Sagoe, founder and designer, Deola (Nigeria)
Breathtaking was the word used to describe the latest designs created and launched by Africa’s Queen of Haute Couture, Deola Sagoe, who was showcasing her Spring/Summer 2015 Collection tagged “Wings By Deola”, at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this month.
Read more
Annabel Karmel, author of 'Mumpreneur'
In her new book, Mumpreneur, the UK’s leading children’s cookery author, Annabel Karmel, shares her insights and experience in building a successful brand and business empire, from the perspective of a full-time Mum of three children.
Read more
Asma Dukanda, founder of Mokopu (South Africa)
The African marketplace for beautifully designed and crafted baby and children’s wear and toy products is continually growing, and with it are emerging some wonderful new design talents in this space. South African entrepreneur, Asma Dukanda, is just such a talent, creating a great new niche for herself and her clothing and products, all of which celebrate the best of the country’s traditional fabric design culture.
Read more
Laura Nyahuye, founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe)
There is a real sense of drama about the design work of Laura Nyahuye and her brand, AdornU, who is challenging convention and creating sculptural adornments for the body that speak volumes for the individuality and confidence of the wearer.
Read more
Lesley Erica Scott receiving her award for Social Impact and a US$25 000 prize
SKHIRAT, Morocco, May 14, 2015 --- The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) honoured three winners of the 2015 edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) at a glittering ceremony hosted in Skhirat, Morocco. Lesley Erica Scott, the South African inventor of 'Smartspot TBcheck' was awarded the Special Prize for Social Impact, receiving a US$25 000 prize. The 'Smartspot TBcheck' is a device that provides a solution for measuring the accuracy of machines used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Read more
Gayathrie Schatz, founder of The Little Bo Baby Company
With Mandela Day approaching on 18 July 2015, Little Bo Baby Company, founded by the wonderfully creative Gayathrie Schatz, is aiming to make a difference by running a very special competition in remembrance of the great icon. Children from schools and children’s homes around South Africa are being invited to share what Nelson Mandela meant to them and submit their drawing for a 'Remembrance Doll Competition'. Five lucky children will have their drawing of Nelson Mandela turned into a plush toy!
Read more
Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, founder Vanhu Vamwe
2015 is turning out to be quite a year already for the hugely talented Zimbabwean accessory designer, Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, who is now based in London’s fashion capital. She was recently nominated for three top design and fashion awards - the Zimbabwe Achievers Award ''Fashion Designer of the Year’’; the Women4Africa ''Fashion Designer of the Year’’; and the Abury and Harpers Bazaar Design Experience.
Read more
Robyn Victor, founder of August
South Africa currently has a rich fashion scene that is building a significant fan-base, both at home and abroad, and the August resort-inspired, lifestyle clothing brand is one of the labels that is getting noticed, for all the right reasons. August’s design philosophy is pure and sophisticated, inspired by both the resort and casual sides of the South African lifestyle, and appealing to the fashion-minded, modern woman.
Read more
Kofo Akinkugbe, founder and ceo of SecureID, Nigeria
Nigerian specialist smart card company, SecureID, the brainchild of the highly-respected entrepreneur, Kofo Akinkugbe, is once again demonstrating why it is a leader in its field of expertise. This month, the company has unveiled a new pre-paid solution to aid the seamless enrolment of members to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.
Read more
Tara Mohr, author of 'Playing Big'
In her new book, Playing Big, groundbreaking women’s leadership expert and popular conference speaker, Tara Mohr, gives women the practical skills to voice and implement the changes they want to see—in themselves and in the world.
Read more
Sera Holland, founder of Handmade by Me
For women entrepreneurs, their personal journeys to setting up their businesses and realising their dreams are always unique - some are very focused on long-held identified goals, whilst others are almost accidental or organic in nature. South African-based textile designer, Sera Holland, falls into the latter category of an entrepreneur who never set out to be in business, but ended up discovering a love of textile printing and built the most amazing business around it.
Read more
Guest Blog by Georgie Polkinghorne, LoA Cape Town City Reporter
Classic architectural design met innovation and handcrafted creativity at the KAMERS Autumn 2015 Cape Town showcase at the majestic Cape Town City Hall in South Africa this month.
Read moreGuest Blog by Clare Kagimu, a talented Ugandan-born, Interior Architect and Designer, now resident in the UK shares her insights on the new creative force of women in design.
Read more
Guest Post by: Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect
“Grow your business without growing your staff” – now wouldn’t that be the ideal way to build and grow your amazing start-up. And the best part? With the help of a Virtual Assistant, or as we are more fondly known as - VA’s, it is now completely possible and within reach.
Read more
Rania Anderson author of the award-winning book UNDTERRED: The Six Success Habits of Women in Emerging Economies will be visiting and speaking in South Africa during May. Ahead of her visit she has made available a FREE download of 2 chapters of her book. Make sure to get your download of this great read and to book your seat at one of her presentations!
Read more
Teta Isibo, founder of Inzuki Designs
Rwandan jewellery and accessory brandbuilder, Teta Isibo, is passionate about bold design and harnessing the creative craftsmanship talent of local women artisans to create unique pieces that have an instantly recognisable Inzuki Design style and aesthetic.
Read more
Ashley Heather, founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery
When LoA heard about South African jewellery designer, Ashley Heather, and how she is creating beautiful, handcrafted and contemporary jewellery pieces from, of all things, precious metals reclaimed from computer circuit boards, we just had to find out more.
Read more
Tabitha Karanja, founder & CEO of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)
Source: BBC News | By Maina Waruru | 4 May 2015
It was a thirst for success that saw Tabitha Karanja put herself in the role of a David taking on a Goliath. The 50 year old is the founder and boss of the only large-scale brewery in Kenya actually owned by a Kenyan. Mrs Karanja, one of only a handful of female brewery owners across Africa, set up the business - Keroche Breweries - with her husband back in 1997. Initially making a fortified wine, the company has since moved into spirits and, from 2008, making beer
Read more
Claire Nouvel, founder and designer, TiLT Handmade Jewels
Claire Nouvel is a young French-born, but South Africa-based jewellery designer who is deeply inspired by African culture and uses that inspiration for the creation of her unique, contemporary jewellery pieces, each one celebrating the local metals and materials used and preserving their integrity and authenticity.
Read more
Janet Pulford, founder of Gemboree
As part of LoA’s Focus on Africa’s Women Jewellery Designers this month, we spoke to Janet Pulford, the Founder and Creative Director of South African company, Gemboree, about her current collection, its design inspiration, and what customers can look forward to in the coming weeks.
Read more