On 18th March, MTN Uganda announced the winners of the 2016 edition of the annual MTN Women In Business Awards which were established to honour outstanding women who are leveraging the power of technology to better manage their businesses. This year, MTN gave women in business an opportunity to not only profile their businesses on a grand platform but also to showcase innovative ICT solutions working in businesses in Uganda.
Read moreIn 2015, Lionesses of Africa featured a wonderful young startup company, Nyla Naturals, the brainchild of creative entrepreneur Thokozile Mangwiro. Today, one year on, so much has happened in the life of this great young company and entrepreneur, and a new natural hair care product line, Nilotiqua, has been launched which is just as exciting.
Read morePotential tech-preneurs who come up with technology solutions to everyday Jozi problems stand the chance of turning their digital ideas into viable business opportunities.
Read moreBusiness can be tough – maybe you’re having a rough day, things aren’t going your way, a client is giving you a hard time, a staff member didn’t pitch for work again, deadlines are looming and projects aren’t being signed off.
Read more"We don't need aid, we need partnerships. We cannot continue to be a beggar nation. I have always believed you shouldn't give the man the fish, but teach the man how to fish and he will be able to take care of himself and others."
- Deola Sagoe, leading lady of African fashion, is a haute couture fashion designer from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004. Her "globally appealing" style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa's first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.
Read moreIt’s critical to build a team as you grow....
"You need to be clear about what you are good at and find people who are awesome to do the rest and let them run with it. I don’t want to be the bottleneck that keeps our company from growing and flourishing. So I have really focused on sharing decision-making and building a team that will take ownership and challenge me. While I have a pretty specific vision for the way I want things to go, it’s crucial to create a culture where questions can be asked—the really hard questions—that might push and change and kind of mold your vision."
- Liz Forkin-Bohannon is an American social entrepreneur and founder of Sseko Designs, an ethical fashion brand based in Uganda. In addition to handbags and accessories, Sseko makes beautiful leather sandals with interchangeable fabric straps that can be styled in hundreds of ways. The line began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young women to continue on to university. By creating an environment of dignity, honor and dedication, Sseko Designs provides the opportunity for marginalized women in East Africa to end the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable society.
Read moreThe world is becoming increasingly more enamoured by the wonderful traditional designs and fabrics of Africa, particularly when they are incorporated into contemporary fashion and decor pieces. Entrepreneur Sarah Nakisanze and her business Easy Afric Design, is harnessing the inspiration of the wonderful Ugandan traditional fabric of Barkcloth for her collections of fashion and art.
Read moreTop advice for any aspiring entrepreneur....
"Go into business with an open mind. Know you can have a very good business idea, but be prepared that sometimes the environment will not allow you to achieve it. Be flexible. Think out of the box. Think about ways to diversify. Think of ways to be profitable at all times. Once you are in business it does come down to profitability. It doesn't help to be so passionate about something that is not bringing in money for you. You should be able to realize profits. If you can’t make money from the initial idea, then alter it to help keep you afloat."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreIn today’s increasingly competitive world, companies and organisations are becoming more focused on empowering their people in order to help them fulfil their full potential in their careers and in the workplace generally. Irisha Luhanga is one entrepreneur with a passion for human capital and with her company, Redefine Human Capital, she is redefining the way people view their work and helping them to align it to their true purpose.
Read moreYou'll learn as you go along....
"If you feel you have it in you to start your own business, then follow that dream. It is not the easiest path to take. Being your own boss and a boss to other people takes a lot of passion and commitment. When you make the decision go all in, don't expect to know it all right from the start. You learn as you go along, no one can prepare you - its subject to change, your industry and your personality. But it is a journey that will provide you with the most satisfying results."
- Evashnee Naidu is the founder of EnablED in South Africa. After gaining more than a decades worth of marketing and advertising experience in the corporate world she was inspired to start her own company in the enterprise development space. Today, her company is playing a key role in managing enterprise and supplier development solutions for SMMEs.
Read moreThere is a growing interest right now in AfroLuxe, bespoke finely crafted luxury items all proudly designed and created here in Africa. Oba Couture, the brand created by Nigerian entrepreneur Olubukola Asafa, is a new name in the world of luxury leather accessory brands emerging from the African continent, to add to the list of those brands currently winning legions of fans around the world with their high-end, luxury products.
Read moreOn 8th March, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, putting the topic of the empowerment of women at the top of the global agenda. Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, was invited to help celebrate this important occasion in the inspirational surroundings of Kigali in Rwanda, to speak at the Global Women’s Summit being held there. Her topic was the rise and rise of women’s entrepreneurship in Africa, something highly relevant to the country given that it has recently been ranked the Best Place to be a Woman in Africa, according to the Global Gender Gap Report, and ranked 6th overall in the world in terms of closing gender gaps.
Read moreWomen are occupying more senior positions in the new world of work than ever before, but they still have a way to go. In many respects, the workplace is still a man’s world, run according to men’s rules. Donna Rachelson gets to grips with these rules and shows women how to work with them to advance their careers, while still retaining their femininity and bringing all of the strengths women possess to the workplace. Drawing on Rachelson’s own experience, as well as the experience of some of South Africa’s top businesswomen, this quick, practical read is a must for any woman who wants to make her mark in the business world.
Read moreIn the world of beauty and wellness, there is a huge interest right now in products and services that celebrate the essence of Africa’s unique natural resources and ingredients, whilst at the same time harnessing traditional skills and up-to-the-minute knowledge of leading women innovators in the industry. These game-changers are changing the face of the beauty and wellness industry in Africa, and creating fabulous new, proudly African products and brands in the process that the world wants to buy and use. Some of the names and brands are well-known - others are new to the scene - but all of them are capturing the imaginations of consumers across the continent, and indeed the world.
Read moreMarch 8, 2016 – Oslo, Norway: On International Women’s Day, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark highlighted the role of female business leaders in driving positive societal change as she announced this year’s Business for Peace Honourees.Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, announced the three winners of the 2016 Oslo Business for Peace Award; Sarah Beydoun from Lebanon, Dr Jennifer Nkuene Riria from Kenya and Tore Lærdal from Norway.
Read moreLionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, together with Global Women’s Summit Rwanda Director and Founder of Kora Associates, Mireille Karera, were invited into the Rwanda TV studios on 7th March to take part in the Debate 411 television programme, hosted by renowned anchor and tv personality, Eugene Anangwe. The topic under discussion was Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Read moreThe art of fine shoe-making is a specific design discipline and one that excites the team of entrepreneurs behind the Rwandan shoe brand, UZURI K&Y. Ysolde Shimwe (CFO & Co-Creative designer) and Kevine Kagirimpundu (CEO & Co-Creative designer), are combining their substantial design talents to create some of the hottest shoes on the continent.
Read moreListen to Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, in conversation with Lydie Hakizimana, serial entrepreneur and founder of the Happy Hearts Day Care and Nursery School in Kigali, Rwanda. The interview was recorded at the school during LoA’s visit to Rwanda for the Global Women’s Summit to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2016.
Read moreListen to Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, in conversation with Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Chairperson of New Faces, New Voices, Rwanda Chapter, recorded at the Global Women’s Summit which took place on 8th March 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Read moreWith the world looking to source more sustainable, ethically produced and renewable sources of foodstuffs, one South African business venture, Oryx Desert Salt, founded by entrepreneur Samantha Skyring, is looking to bring an exceptional source of salt to enrich both the flavour of food and also promote good health.
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