Innovative Women features the top female entrepreneurs and their secrets of the trade. It goes behind the scenes into the female-led businesses and shares the guiding principles, tools and strategies that serve them in competing. If you're looking to start a business, or are looking to build one you've already launched, these women will share their top tips for how you can become successful. The book describes specific steps women can take to combine business success with personal fulfillment and illustrates the benefits of men and women in the workplace and at home.
Read moreTalented women entrepreneurs to exhibit at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair Johannesburg
Some of South Africa’s most inspirational and innovative women entrepreneurs will once again be showcased at the wonderful Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair as it returns to the rooftop of Johannesburg’s Hyde Park Corner from 9 – 11 October.
Read moreJoy Ndungutse co-founder of Gahaya Links in Rwanda is recognised with Artisan Hero Award 2015 by the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise and The Aspen Institute
Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, co-founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives (Rwanda)
Joy Ndungutse the co-founder of Gahaya Links in Rwanda has been recognised with the prestigious Artisan Hero Award 2015 by the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise, Aspen Global Health and Development, and The Aspen Institute. She was recognised for her wonderful work in creating an artisan-based, social enterprise that had a vision to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women. Congratulations to Joy, her sister and co-founder, Janet, and all the wonderful artisans who make up this inspirational co-operative, artisan project.
Read moreThe #ChooseArtisan global campaign launches today! Let's support Africa's amazingly talented and entrepreneurial women artisans
The real importance and value of artisan enterprise in contributing to economic development, poverty alleviation and women's empowerment is finally being recognised by the world. The timely launch of the #ChooseArtisan global campaign today (10 September 2015) is certainly getting people talking, and rightly so, about the incredible work being done by forward thinking women artisan entrepreneurs, particularly in places like Africa, where traditional crafts are being elevated to a whole new status.
Read morePODCAST: LoA speaks to Suzana Moreira, founder of moWoza a mobile commerce platform in Mozambique
Suzana Moreira, founder of moWoza (Mozambique)
Pippa Hetherington - The startup story of a creative South African storyteller encouraging women to let their voices be heard
Pippa Hetherington, founder of Behind the Faces (South Africa)
Africa has many challenges and one of those is giving voice to those who need it. Pippa Hetherington is a social and information entrepreneur who is creating a unique platform, Behind the Faces, for encouraging women to let their voices be heard. Using storytelling as a catalyst, she is providing a powerful mechanism for these women to share their own personal stories of strength and inspiration, and to communicate with their compatriots across the African continent.
Read morePODCAST: LoA speaks to Nobesuthu Ndlovu, co-founder of South African fashion retail brand Burgundy Fly
Nobesuthu Ndlovu, co-founder of Burgundy Fly (South Africa)
Lionesses of Africa had the pleasure of meeting Nobesuthu Ndlovu, the highly creative and engaging founder of South African fashion retail brand, Burgundy Fly, earlier this month in Johannesburg. She took time out of her busy schedule to share some of her aspirations for her company and her brand as it moves into an exciting new phase. Listen to our interview.
Read moreOnly two days left to enter the Appsafrica.com Innovation Awards 2015
Mobile, tech ventures and leading women in Africa have just two days left to submit their entries for the Appsafrica.com Innovation Awards 2015 to be held in Cape Town on 16 November. Make sure you've applied!
Read moreAlly Angula: Reliable prices crucial for horticulturists
While the creation of the Agro Marketing Trading Agency (AMTA) has addressed the issue of marketing fresh produce for Namibian farmers, it has not addressed the issue of pricing. This is according to Ally Angula, Managing Director of Leap Holdings, which also owns Leap Agriculture, the group’s farming arm that focuses on supplying fresh produce to retailers and the general public. The farming operation is based approximately 30 km outside Tsintsabis in the Oshikoto Region.
Read moreFINANCIAL SMARTS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Foreign Exchange for Lionesses
LOA Financial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs Series
In the first of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management issues for women entrepreneurs, this week we get a better understanding of how Foreign Exchange works, particularly for those businesses that import and export - and importantly, how to get the best rates!
Read moreHow women entrepreneurs need to leverage the current increasing interest in all things African
Image credit: Centro de Artes Africana, Wooden Vessels - courtesy Deborah Mason for Aid to Artisans. Featured in Contemporary Design Africa, a book by Tapiwa Matsinde
Guest Blog by Clare Kagimu, interior architect and designer and founder of Phoenix Designs
This week, I wish to expand on the urgency of keeping our tabs on all things African, as interest for this market is generating worldwide buzz. I cannot emphasise the need to have shared vision and to stand together in order to see Africa become a viable destination for all things trend-setting.
Read moreQuote of the Day
Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder and Executive Director of Enda Inter-Arabe (Tunisia)
"Women in Tunisia are active; they want to work and own a business; they have Phoenician blood from Dido and the Queen of Carthage .... Money empowers women and lets them contribute in decision-making. After 20 years I can see the changes. Everything changed completely for these entrepreneurial women."
- Essma Ben Hamida is director of Enda Inter-Arabe (Enda), which she co-founded in 1990. She is also the President of the microfinance network of Arab countries Sanabel. In 1995, Enda launched the first microcredit institution in Tunisia, which today reaches around 40,000 active clients, mainly women, in the poor areas of Tunisia. Previously, Essma worked as a secondary school teacher and as a TV journalist/reporter. She opened the first bureau of the national press agency, TAP, in New York at the United Nations.
Read moreLungile Kunene - The startup story of a South African fashion designer embarking on a global retail journey
Lungile Kunene, founder of Izembatho Creations (South Africa)
Typically, fashionpreneurs are some of the most creative individuals and always passionate about the work they produce. They have a vision for the clothes they design and an idea of the people who will be wearing their creations and how they will make those people feel. Lungile Kunene of Izembatho Creations is one designer who has a clear vision for the aesthetic and emotional response she wishes the women who will be wearing her clothes to have.
Read morePODCAST: Clare Kagimu – You can’t be a good leader without investing in yourself
Clare Kagimu, founder and CEO of Phoenix Design
Podcast: Business Mic with Daudi Mugabi
In this interview with Daudi Mugabi from Business Mic in Uganda, Clare shares some of the struggles she went through while building her brand as well as the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Monica Musonda: The right time to start a business? The earlier, the better!
Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)
Aspiring women entrepreneurs should take the plunge sooner rather than later....
“I would have loved to have been younger and have less commitments… At this stage to fail is a lot more painful than if I failed at 20 or 25 or 30, for instance. I think it is a lot harder when you’re older, you have more commitments… I think there is never a perfect scenario for you to start a business – but I think if you are going to take the leap, the earlier the better.”
- Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.
Read moreVideo: Ethel Cofie shares the story of her career path and entrepreneurial journey
Video published on 13 September 2015
Ethel Cofie shares the story of her career path and entrepreneurial journey.
Read moreNobesuthu Ndlovu - The startup story of a South African fashion entrepreneur showcasing the best of the country’s design talent
Nobesuthu Ndlovu, co-founder of Burgundy Fly (South Africa)
Building a successful fashion retail showcase brand is no small feat, and requires endless amounts of energy and passion, not to mention a great eye for detail and the knack of selecting the best designs for different marketplaces. However, Nobesuthu Ndlovu, the co-founder of Burgundy Fly, is a great example of a woman entrepreneur who has all these skills and more, and together with her business partner and husband, is building an exciting fashion retail company.
Read moreMonica Masiga & Justine Kiwanuka - The startup story of two micro-entrepreneurs bringing health and wellbeing to their communities in Kenya and Uganda
Justine Kiwanuka (L) & Monica Masiga (R), Living Goods micro-entrepreneurs
Across the African continent, particularly in rural areas, promoting good community health and wellness to local people remains a challenge. Life-saving products and services don’t do any good unless they get into the hands of the people that need them and know how to use them. Social entrepreneurship venture, Living Goods, is helping to solve the “last mile” problem by recruiting, training, and managing the performance of Community Health Promoters. Monica Masiga in Kenya, and Justine Kiwanuka in Uganda, are two such Living Goods micro-entrepreneurs who are making a difference.
Read moreEast Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs Impress at the E4Impact Innovation Challenge
Lucy Mayer, co-director of Bubayi Products Ltd, winner of the E4Impact Innovation Challenge
The fourth edition of the E4Impact Innovation Challenge, one of the largest university business plan competitions in East Africa, took place on 29 August 2015 at Tangaza University College in Nairobi, Kenya - and, the winner was an inspirational woman entrepreneur, Lucy Mayer.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Nkemdilim Begho: Share your vision with the world
Nkemdilim Begho, a Nigerian serial entrepreneur
Share your vision with the world....
"Believe in your vision, share it with the world and never give up. Put aside all your fears - if your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough!"
- Nkemdilim Begho is a Nigerian serial entrepreneur. She is the founder and Managing Director of Future Software Resources Limited, an IT solutions provider focused on online solutions, e-learning and IT security. She is also a co-founder of 'Always Me by Anne Li', a company producing baby and maternity products in Nigeria. Nkem has been the recipient of many awards including the Jim Ovia Prize for Software Excellence, and the Etisalat Prize for Innovation. She regularly volunteers for mentoring and empowerment programmes often sharing her experiences with young Nigerians and less privileged children.
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