Empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive financial practices to drive sustainable economic growth across Africa

July 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Feature Interview

In Conversation with Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer, African Guarantee Fund

The 2nd Start-Up Night Africa event on 11 June 2024, in The Hague, The Netherlands, provided the opportunity to highlight the critical role of investment and the power of partnerships to address the gender finance gap for high-growth women entrepreneurs in Africa. Continuing the conversations on this important subject, Lionesses of Africa spoke to Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, a real champion of empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive financial practices to drive sustainable economic growth across Africa.

The power of partnerships to create greater access to funding for Africa’s women entrepreneurs

July 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Feature

Over the past eight years, Start-Up Night Africa events have aimed to stimulate real change by bringing together women entrepreneurs, with decision-makers and policy-makers, to discuss the challenges and real solutions needed to close the funding gap. At this year’s event on 11 June 2024, in The Hague, The Netherlands, a highlight of the programme was the panel discussion, where invited guest experts shared their insights and knowledge on the challenges women entrepreneurs face in getting access to finance and growth market opportunities. The focus was on discussing what progress has been made over the last twelve months, and also what new initiatives have been launched to practically shift the dial for women entrepreneurs in getting access to the growth funding they need. Chairing the panel discussion was Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, who was joined live on stage by Chiinga Musonda, co-founder of Savanna Premium Chocolate from Zambia. Joining via Zoom link were Patrick Lumumba, Group Director: Capacity Development at the African Guarantee Fund, and Vignesh Subramani, Head: Sales & Distribution, SME Business at Absa Bank, South Africa.

Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business by Andi Simon

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business, author and entrepreneur, Andi Simon, tells the stories of 11 women from different industry sectors who opened up the possibilities for their professional careers and personal lives by being authentic, taking risks, and pushing past the obstacles others placed before them. These are stories that tell of innovation, show how women rise, and ignite change.

Empowered and independent women

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

As many of you know my goal in life is to ensure that every woman, especially every African woman is financially independent. A financially independent woman has choices. She has money in the bank, she can live where she wants, she can drive the car she wants to drive, he can educate her children and, she can please herself. There is a old saying: "If you please yourself, at least you are pleasing someone.”

Anger: How to Know it, Use It and Diffuse It

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Have you ever had an experience where you shot lights out? The presentation was flawless; you were at your most confident, and the answers flowed so naturally. Then…have you ever had an experience in which you are still remorseful about what you did, what you said, and how you reacted? We all have.

Using Hiring AI to Bridge the Gender Pay Gap

July 14, 2024 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.

Current You vs. Future You: A Journey Worth Embracing

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Naike Moshi

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately, and I want to share something personal that might resonate with many of you. It’s about the relationship between our Current You and Future You. This isn't just a motivational spiel - it’s a reminder of the power we hold to shape our own destinies.

Vuyolwethu Reoagile, a South African communications agency with a passion for storytelling and digital innovation

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Vuyolwethu Reoagile, founder, RR Comms (South Africa)

Startup Story

Vuyolwethu Reoagile is the founder of RR Comms, an aspirational communications agency in South Africa. With a passion for storytelling and digital innovation, Vuyolwethu has built RR Comms into a dynamic team dedicated to delivering creative and strategic communications solutions. Her expertise spans business writing, digital campaign management, and paid ads management. The business has created jobs for 4 people.

Sandra Kourouma, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning a passion for sporting events into a business

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Kourouma, founder, Millkappas Multiservices & "SK Escolinha de Futebol e Futsal Project" (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Sandra Kourouma is the founder of Millkappas Multiservices and the "SK Escolinha de Futebol e Futsal Project" in Mozambique. She is an experienced entrepreneur and has certificates for trainer courses and trainer instructors. Sandra's business is focused on for society football and futsal for women and young girls and briefly for child girls. She founded the business 4 years ago and employs according to the needs of the event, but few women join the work for this type of event. She has 15 years of certification and experience in football training and more than 10 years in organizing sporting events that she started as a volunteer.

Ifeyinwa Ogar, a Nigerian food processing and bundling entrepreneur

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekeneder Cover Story

Roki Foods Ltd, a food processing and bundling company offering affordable, nutritious, and convenient food bundles for middle-income earners in Nigeria

Ifeyinwa Ogar is the visionary founder of Roki Foods, a company dedicated to helping middle-income earners in Nigeria save money on grocery shopping. With a robust background in commercial banking, Ifeyinwa brings eight years of experience as a Relationship Manager and Branch Manager. Her academic achievements include a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Economics, which have equipped her with a deep understanding of human behaviour and economic principles.

SHEO: A Guide to Female Entrepreneurship and Financial Freedom by Ashona Fyffe

July 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Embark on a transformative journey towards entrepreneurship and financial empowerment with "SHEO: A Guide to Female Entrepreneurship and Financial Freedom,” written by Ashona Fyffe, a trailblazing entrepreneur and advocate for women's economic empowerment. Her book is a comprehensive roadmap designed to empower women to realize their entrepreneurial dreams and achieve financial independence. Drawing upon her own experiences and insights, Ashona offers practical advice, actionable strategies, and invaluable guidance to help women navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of entrepreneurship.

Thato Schermer, a South African healthcare access champion

July 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible

Thato Schermer is the co-founder of Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible. She is a passionate young South African, enthralled by the possibilities for Africa's future. Thato is dedicated to business for the greater good, technology’s potential to solve problems in Africa, writing, and driving the cause of women’s empowerment. After completing her honours business degree at the University of Cape Town, alongside a Business French qualification from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and numerous international internships, she started her career as a management consultant at a global management consultancy. She worked predominantly in the digital practice, with her work spanning industries such as banking, infrastructure, and technology across regions including East Africa, Spain, Turkey, and Asia-Pacific.

Delegation, for sustainable growth - you have to learn to love it!

July 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Having watched in awe the truly inspirational Lionesses pitching at our Start-Up Night Africa event in The Hague last month (see here the event page with all their brilliant pitches), we recognised that here was a group of businesswomen all seriously engaged, knowing how to take their companies to the next level. They were all in growth or high growth mode and were obviously loving the journey.

Irina Samade, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur manufacturing accessories using natural resources

July 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Irina Samade, Founder and Designer, Rawá (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Irina Samade is the Founder and Designer of the Rawá brand in Mozambique. She has worked to build this brand for the past 4 years, and in addition to Rawá, she is also the Founder and Floral Designer of Frangipani Flores. She has worked in this area of business for 15 years and is now a 41 year old entrepreneur. Irina is passionate about flowers and the idea of being able to use natural resources in art, consciously using what nature offers and discards.

Lerato Zulu, a South African entrepreneur building a growing cleaning product manufacturing business

July 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lerato Zulu, founder, ChemWeb (South Africa)

Startup Story

Lerato Zulu is the founder of ChemWeb, a South African manufacturing business producing household and industrial cleaning detergents in accordance with the strictest Quality Management System as specified by ISO, thus ensuring consistent quality of the highest standard, while maintaining competitive prices. The company offers a wide range of cleaning products necessary for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of households, hospitals, learning institutions and essentially all environments of work.

Chroma-preneurship: The Secret Palette of Business Success

July 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marilize Jacobs

Imagine stepping into an office that instantly calms your nerves, or presenting your brand in a way that speaks volumes without saying a word. This is the subtle, yet powerful impact of color psychology or chroma-preneurship, a concept not widely recognised in traditional vocabulary, representing the ingenious application of colour psychology to entrepreneurial endeavours.

Expectation vs reality: how to navigate disappointment

July 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

How has life treated you so far this year? For most people life is a mix of uneventful days, days of great joy, but then also some days of frustration, disappointment, sadness and other negative experiences. One of the most difficult consequences of life is disappointment. Disappointments generally occur because an expected outcome or expectation did not realise. A huge amount of resilience is required to bounce back from these setbacks.

3 Non Verbal Communication Tips for Making a Confident Impression

July 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho, PhD

Have you ever noticed how the best professional photographers make brilliant first impressions and connect with models and ordinary people like you and me to get that stunning photograph? Today, I’m sharing 3 nonverbal communication tips I learned from a professional photographer and author, Nicholas Boothman. You probably already know that nonverbal factors are often much more impactful than your word choices.

Navigating the Future of Work

July 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

A recent Harvard Business Review article highlights a study indicating that 10% of U.S. jobs will be automated this year, with predictions that nearly half of all U.S. jobs could face automation within the next decade. Jobs most susceptible to automation are those involving repetitive and routine tasks, such as reading X-rays, truck driving, and stocking warehouses.

Celebrating a new generation of young women entrepreneurs building new businesses and creating jobs in South Africa

June 30, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Business Agility Webinar Report

The 3rd Lioness Business Agility Webinar of the year took place on 26 June, as always hosted in partnership with Absa, and this time focused on the theme of “YOUTH - celebrating a new generation of young women entrepreneurs building new businesses and creating jobs and opportunities for young people.” It’s an important topic because we need to recognise and support the work and commitment of young women entrepreneurs who are building successful, growth potential businesses and helping to drive economic growth in their communities. They are creating much-needed jobs with their businesses, whilst also creating proudly African products that the continent and the rest of the world wants to buy.

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