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Lionesses of Africa

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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Accra’s women entrepreneurs gather to be inspired, get connected and network at the first Lioness Lean In event in the city

August 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Screen Shot 2017-08-26 at 8.38.13 PM.png

If there’s one thing that captures the spirit of enterprise in Africa, it’s when women entrepreneurs get together to network, to share experiences, and to collaborate for greater business success. That spirit was evident this week when Lionesses of Africa hosted the first of its Lioness Lean In events in Ghana’s capital city, Accra, in partnership with Stanbic Bank.

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In Events Tags Lioness Lean In, Ghana
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Celebrating 15 of Ghana’s inspirational women entrepreneurs who are putting the country on the global business map

August 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken

This month Lionesses of Africa is heading to Accra, Ghana, to host the latest in our series of Lioness Lean In events across the African continent, in partnership with Stanbic Bank. To coincide with our visit, we will be launching a series of special feature articles which focus on leading women entrepreneurs building great businesses and brands in this great city. Ghana is a country which is seeing some real women entrepreneur game-changers who are making their mark with their business ventures and innovative products and services, not just at home, but across the African continent and the world. 

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In Features Tags Ghana
1 Comment

Salma Abdulai named Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards 2017 Laureate for Sub-Saharan Africa

April 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Salma Abdulai, founder of Unique Quality Product Enterprise (Ghana)

Salma Abdulai, founder of Unique Quality Product Enterprise (Ghana)

Earlier this month, the 2017 group of Laureates were announced at the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, this year held in Singapore for the very first time. Cyrille Vigneron and Ilian Mihov announced the six laureates selected by an independent international jury amongst nearly 1900 applicants from over 120 countries. The Laureate for Sub-Saharan Africa this year was Salma Abdulai, founder of Unique Quality Product Enterprise in Ghana, a company processing and marketing Fonio, a nutritious and climate resistant indigenous cereal. 

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In Award Winner Tags Ghana, Cartier Awards
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Shining a spotlight on Ghana’s Women Entrepreneurs

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

This year we will be launching our new series of special feature articles which focus on leading women entrepreneurs building great businesses and brands in each country across the African continent. The month of February sees us highlighting Ghana, a country which is seeing some real women entrepreneur game-changers who are making their mark with their business ventures, not just at home, but across the African continent and the world. 

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In Features Tags Ghana
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Anna Cole Ojukwu, a Ghanaian design entrepreneur instilling confidence through her bold accessory and clothing collections

January 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Anna Cole Ojukwu, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana)

Anna Cole Ojukwu, founder of Pernia Couture (Ghana)

As the world is increasingly more interested in African design, particularly in the accessory and clothing space, one entrepreneur in Ghana is captivating attention through her label Pernia Couture. Anna Cole Ojukwu is taking the best of African inspiration and turning it into must-have accessories and clothing.

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In Startup Story Tags Ghana, Jewellery Design, Fashion
1 Comment

Rafiat Kasumu, a social entrepreneur passionate about celebrating the fine weaving craftsmanship of Ghana

October 29, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Rafiat Kasumu, founder of Kente Master (Ghana/USA)

Rafiat Kasumu, founder of Kente Master (Ghana/USA)

For all those Ghanaian students who have proudly graduated from university or college and worn their official graduation stoles, the chances are they may be wearing the entrepreneurial success story that is Kente Master.

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In Startup Story Tags Artisans, Ghana
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Emma Tandoh - The startup story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur providing tailor-made online solutions to help SMEs and women-led businesses to develop powerful brands

June 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Emma Tandoh, founder of Outspoken Edge (Ghana)

Emma Tandoh, founder of Outspoken Edge (Ghana)

A passion to see women-led business in Africa succeed as global brands led entrepreneur Emma Tandoh to create her company, Outspoken Edge LLC, a specialist in the field of digital marketing and content development in Ghana. Her approach is to get people talking about the brands she helps to build, which in turn contributes to their success.

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In Startup Story Tags Media PR & Communications, Ghana
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Nana and Afua Dabanka - The startup story of a luxury footwear label, proudly made in Ghana, and inspired by a powerful Ashanti heritage

April 18, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Nana & Afua Dabanka, founders of MONAA (Ghana)

Nana & Afua Dabanka, founders of MONAA (Ghana)

In the world of design, particularly luxury footwear, there is something truly inspirational about working with the finest leathers, fabrics and decorative elements that are reflective of a country’s design aesthetic. Nana and Afua Dabanka, the creative duo behind the incredibly beautiful MONAA brand, are taking the world by storm with their luxury footwear label that takes its inspiration from their proud Ashanti heritage.

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In Startup Story Tags Fashion, Artisans, Ghana
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Patience Maame Mensah - The start up story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur on a mission to provide the best home care service delivery to busy, stressed people

December 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Patience Maame Mensah, founder of Indulgence

Patience Maame Mensah, founder of Indulgence

Finding a niche that can be filled with a great service or product is key to building a successful business, and in the case of Patience Maame Mensah and her company, Indulgence, she has definitely found that niche. She has recognised that busy people with busy lives need a range of home and personal support services to help them to cope with the inevitable stresses and strains that occur. 

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In Startup Story Tags Services, Ghana
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Korkor Kugblenu - The startup story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur who is creating natural beauty solutions for sub-Saharan African women

November 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Korkor Kugblenu, founder of The Body Butter Company (Ghana)

Korkor Kugblenu, founder of The Body Butter Company (Ghana)

Seeing a gap in the market for products that celebrate naturally beautiful African women’s skin and hair, Ghanaian entrepreneur Korkor Kugblenu created her business venture, The Body Butter Company, that manufactures and retails indigenous 100% natural beauty solutions.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness, Ghana, Natural Wellness
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Ethel Cofie - The startup story of a woman helping to change the face of the tech sector in Africa

May 25, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies (Ghana)

Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies (Ghana)

If there is a stand-out dynamic woman techpreneur in Africa who is challenging the industry status quo and helping other women to spearhead a new and innovative era in the sector on the continent, then it is Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies in Ghana.

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In Startup Story Tags Ethel Cofie, Women in Tech, Ghana
1 Comment

Eunice Cofie - The startup story of a Ghanaian beauty brand-builder for people of colour

March 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken

In the highly specialist and competitive world of the health and beauty industry, there is one woman who is successfully combining traditional African medicine with modern science to create world-class products for people of colour. Eunice Cofie is a woman entrepreneur harnessing her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, build a new global health and beauty powerhouse.

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In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness, Beauty & Wellness Month, Ghana, Natural Wellness
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Akosua Afriyie-Kumi - The startup story of a Ghanaian handbag designer turning traditional hand-weaving techniques into luxury must-have accessories

February 16, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of AAKS, Ghana

A A K S was founded by talented designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, with the goal of introducing the world to the weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana, while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Bolgatanga, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterised by bright exuberant colours.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Design, #ChooseArtisan, Artisans, Ghana
2 Comments

Ethel Cofie - The startup story of a pioneering Ghanaian tech entrepreneur

January 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana

Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana

Ethel Cofie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the highly competitive and traditionally male dominated tech industry on the African continent. Through her own business building efforts, and as a successful network builder for pan-African women in tech, she is helping to change the face of the industry, breaking down barriers to entry along the way.

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In Startup Story Tags Ethel Cofie, Ghana, Technology
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands
Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa

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Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf

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