Leading women entrepreneurs in East Africa win 2X Invest2Impact Business Competition

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

FinDev Canada, Managing Director, Paul Lamontagne (centre) congratulates winners of the Invest2Impact Awards, from left: Climate Change and the Environment award winner, Lucy Mutinda of Ecocycle Ltd from Kenya; Women’s Empowerment award winner, Blan… — FinDev Canada, Managing Director, Paul Lamontagne (centre) congratulates winners of the Invest2Impact Awards, from left: Climate Change and the Environment award winner, Lucy Mutinda of Ecocycle Ltd from Kenya; Women’s Empowerment award winner, Blandine Umiziranenge of Kosmotive from Rwanda; Social Innovation award winner Yvette Ishimwe of Iriba Water Group Limited from Rwanda; and Youth Employment or Entrepreneurship Award winner, Beryl Anyiti Walubengo of Crystal Africa Cleaning Service Limited from Kenya.

Award Winners

On the evening of 25 November 2019, the city of Kigali in Rwanda played host to a very special event, coordinated to recognize the achievements of one hundred East African women entrepreneurs. These impact driven women were announced as the winners of the inaugural 2019 2X Invest2Impact. The event was part of the Global Gender Summit 2019. 2X Invest2Impact was organized and launched by the development finance institutions (DFIs) of Canada (FinDev Canada), the United Kingdom (CDC Group plc), France (Proparco) and the United States (OPIC), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

The Smart Money Tribe - An African Woman’s Guide to Making Bank by Arese Ugwu

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Essential Read

When it comes to making, keeping and growing money, if anyone knows about the challenges facing Africa’s women entrepreneurs, and women in general on the continent in this regard, it’s Arese Ugwu. In her latest book, The Smart Money Tribe, she continues her novel approach to storytelling and educating on financial literacy by sharing the experiences of five young women in Nigeria. Arese’s latest book follows hard on the heels of her previous best-seller, The Smart Money Woman.

Sam Blake, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur taking a holistic approach to skincare with her business

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

As more and more people are becoming conscious about the type of products they put onto their skin, the desire to find more natural solutions is growing. In Zimbabwe, Sam Blake, founder of Skinadore Holistic Skincare and an experienced Aesthetician herself, has the solution.

Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, a Zimbabwean creative entrepreneur putting handcrafted expertise at the heart of her business

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Zimbabwe has a reputation for producing quality handcrafted goods. But entrepreneur Felistas Pelagia Chigwaza, founder of Honex International Projects t/a SAGI Jewellers, is looking to build a legacy business that harnesses that creativity to produce accessories that local consumers and visitors alike want to buy.

You don’t have to be naked to be noticed

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thozama Ponti

Very often, we see people getting naked very easily, the world is boring because there’s a lot of nakedness - I will explain further about what I mean by this. People don’t think twice about revealing or exposing much about themselves, I mean it’s very easy to get to know about a person nowadays with them verbally communicating in the digital space.

Own the change you want to make

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

Most of us live with this feeling that we are not living our greatest potential. It usually comes down to one habit, trigger or pattern that we repeat again and again that holds us back. So when it comes to making a change - for example, start exercising, eating better, stop smoking, participate in meetings – we need to become aware of the barriers holding us back.

Black Friday, who benefits?

November 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences

Research has revealed that from the year 2020 (which is less than 6 weeks away) Product and Price will no longer be the differentiator but Customer Experience, what does this mean for the future of Black Friday when the very essence of this day is about Product and Price.

Quote of the Day by Nkemdilim Begho

November 25, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“Our educational systems need to be reformed – making technology and innovation the cornerstone of learning and not just another subject. Without a skilled digital workforce we will not only depend on the West, but also remain in poverty.”

Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources (Nigeria)

Mati Malema, a South African entrepreneur creating tailor made suits and formal wear for style conscious women executives

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts (South Africa)

Startup Story

In the world of business, every woman executive wants to look good and feel confident when they present themselves to their clients and to their staff in the workplace. But often, finding that perfectly fitting and great looking suit or item of formalwear, can be difficult, especially when time is a scarce commodity. In South Africa, that’s where Mati Malema, founder of Ukulu Clothing Concepts, comes to the rescue. Her bespoke approach to tailoring means that clients’ individual clothing needs are met in a stress free way.

Princess Nomzamo Madlala, a South Africa entrepreneur turning her passion for travel and sales into a thriving business

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel (South Africa)

Startup Story

Many businesses and organisations find planning their travel and logistics a real headache, not to mention, stressful and time-consuming. For entrepreneur Princess Nomzamo Madlala, founder of Rose Pearl Travel in South Africa, this provided a unique business opportunity. Today, her business is thriving and her customers get to enjoy a stress-free experience, no matter where or how they are travelling.

Lioness Launch / Nigerian bean-to-bar chocolate company, Loshes Chocolate, launches new ranges of chocolate bars and gift boxes

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Femi Oyedipe, founder of Loshes Chocolate (Nigeria)

Lioness Launch

The renowned and fast growing Loshes Chocolate, a bean-to-bar, single-origin, craft chocolate processing company in Lagos, Nigeria, is expanding its range to include some exciting new chocolate bars and gift boxes. Founded by entrepreneur, Femi Oyedipe, the company is building a reputation for its production of fine chocolates and baking products for both individual and commercial consumers.

Eugenia Langa, founder of Nweba, wins Outstanding Woman of the Year Award at the 6th Mozambique Gas Summit

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Award Winner

The 6th Mozambique Gas Summit & Exhibition has just taken place on 13 to 14 November. One of the highlights of this year’s event was a special awards ceremony to honour the 2019 Mozambique Industry Award Winners. The prestigious Outstanding Woman of the Year Award was presented to Eugenia Langa, CEO and Founder of NWEBA. Nweba is the first Mozambican Company dedicated to Procurement and Logistics for the sectors of Construction, Oil & Gas, Mining and Energy, and has a team of certified International Procurement Professionals with more than 10 years of experience. The company prides itself on providing a market solution to the challenges of these sectors in Mozambique.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Nowadays, a diversity of market opportunities can be created thanks to the general economic and financial crises that have made many awaken their dormant dreams and hidden ideas, meaning people had to feel the pressure of a lack of things to pursue fulfilment. Lately, all we hear about is entrepreneurship and people coming up with great, innovative ideas for the creation of a business and it seems like everybody wants to be an entrepreneur.

How To Become The Employer of Choice

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Marang Marekimane, founder of Business Process Mechanics

There is a standing call-to-action for all small business owners to “create employment opportunities for the unemployed”. This call is supported by various policies and incentive programs to assist people to either start a business, therefore removing themselves out of the unemployment line or for people to grow their business, in the hopes they’ll employ those left in the queue.

Sales 101: From Finding Leads and Closing Techniques to Retaining Customers and Growing Your Business, an Essential Primer on How to Sell by Wendy Connick

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

For many women entrepreneurs, one of the most daunting and difficult aspects of the business to get to grips with is sales. Many absolutely dread the cold calling, the never-ending sales research to find potential customers, and then the pitching to those customers. But help is at hand from author and sales expert Wendy Connick, whose new book Sales 101, provides a practical guide to the ins and outs of sales techniques and a crash course in how to sell anything.

DR. VICTORIA KISYOMBE '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet Tanzania's trailblazing champion of women's financial empowerment

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Meet Dr. Victoria Kisyombe who is the founder and CEO of SELFINA, a company in Tanzania that provides micro-leasing to mostly widows and young girls. Victoria is a leader who has used innovation, initiative, and determination to empower women in Tanzania to become economically self-sufficient.

Quote of the Day Olga Mugyenyi

November 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

“People have value for foreign things. It is strange that Uganda exports cotton which comes back with a label and we think it is higher value yet it is made from our cotton. We are trying to emphasise and change people’s perception…”

Olga Mugyenyi, co-founder of Definition Africa, Uganda

Entrepreneur Advice from Bhatupe Mhango: Start with what you have

November 18, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi) — **Bhatupe Mhango**, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)

Start with what you have....

"Start where you can, with what you have, right where you are. All these brands we see out here started off as little seeds, so we should do the same. Don't compete with those who are not in your lane."

Bhatupe Mhango, founder of Bha’s Fragrance Boutique (Malawi)

US Asset Owners Meet to Discuss How to Gender Their Portfolios and Support Women Entrepreneurs Through Investing

November 17, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Event report

On 11 November, in the heart of New York City, an audience of around 70 US asset owners and investment advisors gathered together for an event hosted by Morgan Stanley and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. The topic of discussion was how these asset owners could gender their portfolios and support women entrepreneurs through investing. Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, was one of the guest speakers sharing her insights on the subject at this prestigious event.