Mawuse Christina Gyisun, a Ghanaian catalyst for transformative change in Agritech

August 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Sommalife, a social enterprise using cutting-edge technology to create transparency and traceability in West Africa’s shea value chain

Mawuse Christina Gyisun is an award-winning social entrepreneur and esteemed co-founder of Sommalife, revolutionizing the Agritech landscape with her unwavering commitment to rural development. She has become a leading force in driving positive change and empowering smallholder women farmers across West Africa. Within three years at the helm of Sommalife, Mawuse has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have reached over 60,000 women farmers in northern Ghana. Through her visionary leadership, these women farmers have gained easy access to financing, conservation tools, and international markets. As a result, more than 7,000 of these farmers experienced a 22.75% increase in their income in 2022, a testament to Mawuse's dedication and commitment to rural development.

The Most Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes and How to Avoid Them by Lisa J. MacDonald

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Author and business coach, Lisa J. MacDonald, in her new book The Most Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, believes that we all want to be in charge of our own lives. But her question is what happens when the game of business keeps changing? How can you successfully find new clients, beat the competition, and do it on a shoestring budget? Lisa’s new book shows you how, and at the same time, avoid making the usual mistakes along the way.

Data Rooms - Find your inner Hermione Granger!

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

In our article last week on the power that is Momentum, we wrote that you must be prepared at all times to move fast when you see or even just feel any opportunity, especially when it comes to investors. Something quite obvious we felt you answer, but then we actually asked the question as to who among you even had a half decent Data Room ready just in case, to pull out of the hat when needed? That was a bit mean of us to put you on the spot like that, but hey, that’s why you pay the big bucks for membership [Still all for free and always will be - Ed!], - we ask the difficult questions.

Unleashing the Potential of Generative AI: Exploring the Path to AI-Driven Success

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

In the age of digital transformation, the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have revolutionised industries across the globe. For me there is one remarkable branch of AI that stands out — Generative AI — it holds tremendous potential for organisations seeking to optimise processes, unlock new opportunities, and create personalised experiences.

From Success to Sisterhood: Why African Women Leaders Thrive in Community

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

“When women come together with a collective intention, magic happens. We shape our world, we make things happen. That’s what I believe in.” — Graca Machel

We hear often enough about how lonely it can be at the top, but what we don't hear as often is what one should do when one gets there, and finds so many other things to think about. In the realm of leadership, African women are rising to the forefront, breaking barriers, and reshaping the narrative. While they possess inherent strength, resilience, and an unwavering determination to make a difference, African women leaders face unique challenges and obstacles. This is why it’s useful to be part of a community of women in similar positions.

Using Hiring AI to Bridge the Pay Gap

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sasha Knott

The gender pay gap is a persistent problem in South Africa, with women earning on average 23% less than men. This gap is even wider for women in certain industries, such as technology and engineering. There are several factors that contribute to the gender pay gap, including unconscious bias, occupational segregation, and lack of access to opportunities. AI recruitment can help to address some of these factors and improve the gender pay gap in South Africa.

Ladies, We Are Enough

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

As we celebrate Women’s Day this week, I thought I would devote this to all of you wonderful women out there. My favourite story of all time - the first part happy - the second part sad. Our job as women is to change this narrative!

Silvia Ferreira, a Mozambican entrepreneur changing the world one brick at a time

August 6, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Silvia Ferreira, founder, Cosini Lda (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Silvia Ferreira is the founder of Cosini Lda, a construction, real estate and industrial solutions company started in Mozambique in 2020 and with a workforce of 12. She is the winner of the Access bank 2022 award for the biggest Female Entrepreneurship project in Mozambique. She has an MBA in supply chain from Vlerick Business School in Belgium.

Daphne Kasambala, an entrepreneur in Malawi building a wholesale marketplace for African creatives

August 6, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Daphne Kasambala, founder and CEO, Meekono (Malawi)

Startup Story

Daphne Kasambala is the founder and CEO of Meekono, a wholesale marketplace for African creatives seeking global trading opportunities. A multifaceted entrepreneur and former corporate banker with experience gained with major institutions in Europe and Africa, Daphne is a relentless problem-solver and collaborator who is determined to play a key role in putting African creativity on the map. Daphne considers herself a global citizen, and has recently returned after many years abroad to focus on growing her business. One of Daphne’s proudest moments was scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for a revolving micro-loan facility for African women micro-entrepreneurs. Her business was launched in 2021 and today employs 5 people.

Matlhogonolo Mongwa-Mouwane, a healthcare service game-changer in Botswana

August 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Kalafhi Medical Center, a growing enterprise addressing the healthcare inequalities in Botswana and Africa

Matlhogonolo Mongwa-Mouwane is the founding director and practicing doctor at Kalafhi Medical Center in Botswana. She is also a wife and mother, and a thinking, growing and dynamic individual with nine years of experience in the health sector. Her lifelong mission is to transform Botswana's healthcare system to bring it to par with some of the world’s best healthcare systems, with a vision for Africa to become a medical tourism destination/health hub. She started the business in 2018 and today it has 51 employees.

7 Keys to 7 Figures: The Women Entrepreneurs' Guide to Money and Freedom by Leslie Kuster

August 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Entrepreneur Leslie Kuster, author of the new book, 7 Keys to 7 Figures : The Women Entrepreneurs' Guide to Money and Freedom, recognizes that many women seek the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship but struggle to turn that dream into a reality. The data show that 90 percent of women who own and operate a business generate less than $100,000 per year. And 78.5 percent of women-owned businesses do not survive the first year. Leslie Kuster wants you to beat those odds!

Lioness Launch / Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and social entrepreneur, visits South Africa to launch her new book

August 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

On the latest stop of her global book tour, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and also the co-founder of impact-driven social enterprise Gorilla Conservation Coffee, launches her new book Walking with Gorillas to South African audiences. Dr Gladys will be visiting the Exclusive Books bookstore in Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg on Monday 7 August, and it promises to be an inspirational evening of story and experience sharing.

Startup Night Africa, The Netherlands 2024 - Prize Draw

July 31, 2023 Melanie Hawken

STARTUP NIGHT AFRICA, THE NETHERLANDS (2024) PRIZE DRAW

Complete and submit the Lionesses of Africa - South Africa Community Survey 2023 - to enter our prize draw for the chance to win a sponsored trip for one to Startup Night Africa, The Netherlands 2024! Terms and conditions apply; see below for further details.

The power that is Momentum - Use it, or lose it

July 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

The cool, clear calm that follows such successful events as our ‘Start-Up Night Africa’ (see here) in Den Haag brilliantly supported by the Dutch Government and the FMO, is a mythical state of being, only felt in the dreams of one looking from the outside or of course within Hollywood films. There can never be any time off or calm before, during, but most especially after. Why? Surely following such a success one can pull off the heels and sink into a deep sofa for a well earned snooze?

Building Your Personal Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide for African Leaders

July 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Are we still debating the importance of building your brand in a fast-paced and interconnected world? Didn’t think so! It’s an essential tool for African leaders looking to stand out, make an impact, and unlock new opportunities. One more time, for those who are new here — your personal brand is how you show up in the world; how you present yourself, your values, and your unique attributes to those you wish to influence. Now for the how-to: here are some step-by-step strategies you can leverage to build a strong personal brand.

Growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership

July 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

When starting a new job or career very few people think of themselves as leaders and I was one of these. For a while I was happy to be a follower, but as I progressed in companies I always took the initiative, went the extra mile, and was very soon frustrated by the red tape and protocol of corporate companies.

Why Are We Seeing So Many Fraudulent Qualifications Among Senior Employees?

July 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sonya Skipp

Fraudulent qualifications are constantly being uncovered and we see the stories every day in the news. It seems no industry is safe from this epidemic. We’ve seen doctors, teachers, government officials, and more with fraudulent qualifications. All this begs the question, why this is happening?

Tips for Moving to GA4 from Google UA (Universal Analytics)

July 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Inge-Marié Borthwick

The date to migrate over to GA4 has come up fast, 1st July 2023, its imperative that advertisers start the process to ensure not only that the migration is done correctly, but also to ensure there is time for data checks, and to make sure that if you are doing any Google advertising, there is enough data to continue using conversion-based bidding strategies. Below outlines tips and things to consider either before you migrate, or to ensure is place after migrating over. Looking for advice and tips on moving to GA4? Discover the smoothest transition strategies and unlock the power of Google GA4 for comprehensive analytics.

Igniting entrepreneurial spirit, investment and the power of partnership

July 25, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo, Lionesses of Africa

Talk to the 1.7 million women entrepreneurs in our Lionesses of Africa community and they will tell you that reaching a new milestone on your business building journey ignites your entrepreneurial spirit and energizes you for the challenges ahead. So it was for Team Lioness on 11 July 2023 in The Hague when we launched Start-Up Night Africa, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Netherlands and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO). Importantly, it also provided the platform for us to officially launch our new Lionesses of Africa Europe Office in The Hague! It marks another important milestone on our decade-long journey as social impact innovators, to realize our vision of empowering Africa’s women entrepreneurs to fulfill their potential.

Nicolene Schoeman-Louw, a South African entrepreneur making reliable legal information available to more people

July 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Nicolene Schoeman-Louw, co-Founder & Managing Director, PocketAdvisor (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nicolene Schoeman-Louw is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of PocketAdvisor in South Africa. She is also one of the skilled facilitators at PocketAdvisor. Nicolene’s involvement is a passion and means through which reliable legal information can be made available to more people. Nicolene is also the Founder and Managing Director of SchoemanLaw Inc in Cape Town, South Africa. She is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Conveyancer, Notary Public and Mediator with a passion for entrepreneurs and helping them reach their most ambitious goals. Nicolene has enjoyed the confidence of many successful entrepreneurs (both locally and abroad) over the years and continues to do so. As a trusted advisor she has actively contributed to the successes of many businesses, helped and continues to help many entrepreneurs build lasting legacies.

STARTUP NIGHT AFRICA, THE NETHERLANDS (2024) PRIZE DRAW

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