the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Victoria L. Crittenden
Book Review
The role of women in business and society is beset with traditions and expectations that leave women's ambitious desires unfulfilled. And yet, with the rise of the female entrepreneur, this is changing. In her new book, Go-To-Market Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship expert Victoria L. Crittenden, along with a cast of first-rate global contributors, provides a lens into the power of women entrepreneurship.
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by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa
I was watching the after-show of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Tokyo on TV recently, and I experienced goosebumps as I watched South Africans from all walks of life sing “Shozoloza” in unity outside the stadium. It was electrifying and heart-warming. Sometimes we focus so much on what makes us different from each other, that we tend to forget how similar we actually are, and what makes our country so unique.
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by Lori Milner
Think about the last time you took leave. Was it filled with a slight sense of dread and the self-talk went ‘this is the worst possible time to take leave’. And then you take the leave and spend the time with a heavy cloud of guilt hanging over your head worrying about the ‘stuff’ that can’t possibly get done without you. Eventually you get to the end of the period and you return to work possibly more highly strung than before you left. If this resonates or sounds familiar…I encourage you to continue reading….. The truth is there is never going to be a time where it feels like it’s finally the perfect opportunity to take leave. So knowing this universal truth, I encourage you to plan your time off in advance before you reach near burnout or breaking point.
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by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
It’s that time of the year again when we are bombarded with messages enticing us to spend money, and the heat is on in terms of spoiling those nearest and dearest to us. So much expectation is created around this season - entertaining, socializing, gifting and more. While it’s a wonderful time to connect with family and friends, it’s also a very easy time to fall into the trap of over-spending, leaving a financial hangover to deal with as you enter the new year.
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Event Report
The topic of how to unpack constraints to gender equality was the primary focus of the Global Gender Summit held on 25 to 27 November in the beautiful city of Kigali in Rwanda. The event got underway with a glittering Opening Ceremony at the Kigali Convention Centre, featuring welcoming remarks from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, and His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda. The morning’s programme set the tone for the event as a whole, with a high level panel discussion featuring both opening speakers, and including His Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia; His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Ms Lerato Motsamai, Founder and CEO, Petrolink.
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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.
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Arese Ugwu
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.
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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.
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Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth (Zimbabwe)
Startup Story
Africa is a young continent with millions of young people with vast potential ready to make their contributions to its future economic development and prosperity. But those young people need support, encouragement and the right environment to thrive. In Zimbabwe, social entrepreneur Tadziripa Madzima, founder of IGNITE Youth, has created an enterprise committed to empowering young people to fulfill that potential.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources (Nigeria)
Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Future Software Resources (Nigeria)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Eugenia Langa, CEO and Founder of NWEBA
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.
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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.
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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.
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