Celebrating 10 Years of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa

November 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

A special 10 Year Anniversary message from Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

Today, 19 November 2024, marks a truly special milestone—Lionesses of Africa’s 10th anniversary! We began this incredible journey exactly a decade ago, launching on Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, 19 November 2014. It feels like just yesterday, yet the progress we’ve made together has been extraordinary. Throughout the years, one thing has remained steadfast: our commitment to our mission and Public Benefit Statement—to positively impact the lives of Africa’s women entrepreneurs, helping them grow and achieve their fullest potential, always free of charge.

The Abundance Decision: The Intersection of a Thriving Business and Fulfilling Life by Malorie Nicole

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Entrepreneur and author of The Abundance Decision: The Intersection of a Thriving Business and Fulfilling Life, Malorie Nicole, believes that abundance is an active choice, one we must consciously make every day if we aim to build a thriving business and lead a deeply fulfilled life. This choice hinges on gaining a clear understanding of your own identity, your values, and what drives you. However, in the world of entrepreneurship, maintaining such clarity can prove challenging, and visionary individuals often find themselves misaligned.

Nonceba Ndukula, a South African social entrepreneur with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and gender based violence

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nonceba Ndukula, founder, Nabai Foundation (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nonceba Ndukula is the founder of Nabai Foundation in South Africa, a social impact organization with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and empower underserved communities through education. The foundation's Afternoon Enrichment Program, mentorship initiatives, and community projects reflect Nonceba’ s dedication to making a positive impact. She is a GBV-F Survivor, Coach, Business Administrator, Philanthropist and Mentor and an inspiring individual whose life journey has transformed adversity into a beacon of hope. As the founder of Nabai Foundation, Nonceba is a passionate advocate for education, community empowerment, and survivor support. Her personal experiences have fuelled her commitment to addressing the root causes of GBV-F and providing support to survivors. She is a Nominee of Sociopreneur of the Year 2023, Finalist in Women of Stature Awards, and a Nominee of Leading Women of Africa Awards.

Isabel Messias Tonela, a young Mozambican entrepreneur building a food processing business turning tubers into flour and chips

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Isabel Messias Tonela, founder, SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Isabel Messias Tonela is a young Mozambican entrepreneur and the founder of SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA, a company focused on processing tubers for the production of flour and Chips. The company was founded in 2024 and is in its embryonic phase after Isabel won the Business Plan Competition implemented by (SEJE), through INJ and with the support of the World Bank. She is also a final year student on the Aquatic and Coastal Marine Biology course at Eduardo Mondlane University.

Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru, unique women’s wellness brand builders in Africa

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Uncover Skincare, an African wellness brand developing skincare products that are specifically approved and tested by melanated women.

Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru are the co-founders of Uncover Skincare, an African wellness brand developing skincare products that are specifically approved and tested by melanated women. Jade, born and raised in Nigeria, brings 15 years of work experience across FMCG (Unilever & Nestle) and e-commerce/fem-tech (Jumia, Kasha). She has vast experience in building consumer brands on the African continent and has led marketing at some of Africa’s leading e-commerce businesses. Sneha has over a decade of experience in finance and consulting having worked at McKinsey, Helios, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Grassroots Business Fund, and The World Bank. She has worked across 10 African markets scaling businesses and brings strategic, financial, and operational expertise.

“Job creation and employment are not the byproduct of our projects but an explicit aim of them…”

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We have long thought it was true, but last month it was finally confirmed. Ajay Banga, the World Bank President, not only reads our articles but also uses them as a blueprint for the World Bank (‘WB’), and most importantly, we have proof just in time for bonus season at Lionesses of Africa [Dream on - on all counts! — Ed.]. In our report on the WB’s Spring Meeting earlier this year (here) we wrote: “Could there be a realisation that to assist Africa, to properly assist Africa, this has to come from the bottom up, to build SME businesses, to build employment, to build communities, to ensure a future at home, all of which we have been pushing and saying since the day Melanie founded the Lionesses of Africa ten years ago.”

Time Management for Busy Entrepreneurs

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Being an entrepreneur is an exciting and challenging journey. However, running a business comes with an additional responsibility: managing your time effectively. Between tasks, meetings, clients, and personal life, it can be difficult to balance everything without feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, with some practical strategies, it’s possible to optimise your time and increase productivity. Here are some time management tips for busy entrepreneurs.

Embrace Calm: 5 Anxiety-Fueling Habits to Let Go Of

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Have you ever made a judgement about someone and then only later found out they were actually a great person, and you had more in common than you think? What if it's the same with change? What if instead of making judgements and accusations about change, you got to know it better? What if you realised it actually brought you a gift, but you were so busy avoiding it that you didn't stop to notice or even say thank you? Now, you know that you can't literally bump into change at a party. But you know change is coming, and sometimes it's voluntary.

Holiday Rental Safety

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

Holiday rental time is rife with scammers, fraudsters and the possibility of theft or damage. For holiday-makers, late bookings run the risk of their deposits being stolen, booking a rental that has already been booked or simply doesn’t exist. There may also be unforeseen fees that get included at the last minute.

The Power of Resilience: Bouncing Back from Disappointment in Business

November 16, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Seanice Lojede

Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, especially in business. Whether it's losing a major client, missing out on a tender, or watching a deal fall through, these setbacks can hit hard. But what truly separates those who thrive in the face of adversity from those who falter is their ability to bounce back - and bounce back quickly.

Masego Madzwamuse, building a design label blending sustainable fashion with the art of storytelling in Botswana

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Masego Madzwamuse, founder and head designer, Bola Nangabe (Botswana)

Startup Story

Masego Madzwamuse is a writer, a designer with a deep passion for African prints, and the founder and head designer of Bola Nangabe in Botswana. She created her design label to blend sustainable fashion principles with the art of storytelling through African textiles. Inspired by the hues and textures of the Kgalagadi desert, her luxury brand embodies the richness of desert landscapes. Using carefully chosen fabrics from across the continent, Masego creates clothing for individuals on the move, eager to embrace their authenticity. Each piece weaves a story of beauty and resilience, much like the vibrant burst of color that emerges with the first rains in the desert.

Sinna Duarte, a Mozambican creative entrepreneur building a Capulana inspired jewellery and handbag brand

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sinna Duarta, founder, Handmade Moz (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Handmade Moz is a Mozambican accessory brand founded by creative entrepreneur Sinna Duarta, that focuses on the design, manufacture and marketing of a unique range of handmade jewellery and handbags. She uses Capulana as the fabric source of inspiration for many of her unique pieces, something that resonates with her local customers.

Dr Kheira Benaissa, an innovation-driven biogas entrepreneur in Algeria

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Green-Al Energy Biogas, a business providing fully off-grid biogas systems enabling customers to live more sustainable lives in Algeria.

Dr Kheira Benaissa is the founder of Green-AI Energy Biogas in Algeria. She is also author of the book "Production du méthane et du biofertiliseur: l'Energie verte des déchets" published on Amazon, PhD holder in waste management and pollution of ecosystems, scientific researcher, professor, businesswoman and a mother. She is working to provide practical solutions to socio-economic problems in Algeria's isolated desert regions. She has designed the first 15m3 biodigester in the town of Tamanrasset (southern Algeria) and created her environmental consultancy company " SYNERGY" to be more active in the field of environmental protection.

Thriving Solo in Business: Resilient Leadership Blueprint for Solo Entrepreneurs by Dr Sandra L Abbey

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Dr Sandra L Abbey, the multi best-selling author of business and leadership books, including her latest: Thriving Solo in Business: Resilient Leadership Blueprint for Solo Entrepreneurs, believes it’s not easy going out there as a solo-entrepreneur. But she also knows it’s possible to make waves in the business world when you know what it takes to thrive. It starts by asking why you set out as a solo entrepreneur? The chances are, you were ready to ditch the 9-5 and get more control over your life. You wanted more money to show for the work you do, and you wanted that work to be something you care passionately about. It’s a liberating journey, full of excitement and possibility… but it has a tough side too.

What should be the biggest take-away that we gain from the recent USA election?

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

The Lionesses of Africa is and always will be a-political, and rightly so. This means this article is not about the pros and cons of one candidate over another in the recent US Election (we are also not US voters, so it would be arrogant of us to suggest we know one way or the other what is the right, or the best or correct route - the country has not only spoken, it has spoken loudly and clearly not only with the majority of the popular vote going to now President Elect Trump, but with majorities in the Senate and most likely in Congress, with increased number of Latino, African American, Hispanic, “[e]ven in demographics she won…women, Black men and young voters—Harris conceded [large numbers of] votes to Trump and won by a narrower margin than Hillary Clinton did in 2016 or President Joe Biden did in 2020.” Forbes here. Latino men and women also had a huge drop off of support for Harris, having come out in large numbers for President Biden and Hillary Clinton previously. Her only increase in support from that previously given to Biden was with Black Women and a slight improvement on college educated white voters. Women still voted for VP Harris “but she won less of the vote than both Clinton and Biden…while Trump won white women by 8 points.”

The voters sent her and her party a clear message.

Embracing the Unknown: 4 Wisdom-Packed Quotes for Navigating Change

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Finding your MOJO Again

November 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

Are you feeling drained and lost your spark? When exhaustion, anxiety, and stress consume you, losing your MOJO can feel inevitable. However, reclaiming your vitality and enthusiasm is within reach. Begin by acknowledging your emotional state and granting yourself permission to rest. Allow your mind and body to recharge with rejuvenating activities. Reconnect with nature, whether a serene walk or simply gazing at the sky. Nourish your body with wholesome foods, hydrate with intention, and prioritise sleep. Revisit your goals and the progress you have made to achieve your important milestones.

Overcoming The Fear of Failure as an Entrepreneur

November 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

The fear of failure is one of the greatest obstacles many entrepreneurs face. Whether at the beginning of their journey or during critical moments of growth, this fear can paralyse, undermine confidence, and even prevent great ideas from moving forward. However, learning to overcome this fear is essential for achieving business success. Let’s explore how you can tackle this feeling and turn it into a driving force for your entrepreneurial journey.

From CEO to Psychologist: Managing Team Dynamics in High-Stakes Environments

November 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Sarah Dusek

As a founder or leader, you quickly realize that the role extends far beyond setting strategy or managing operations. It’s fundamentally about leading people—understanding their motivations, managing team dynamics, navigating conflicts, and fostering a supportive, productive environment. Founders and CEOs often take on the role of “chief psychologist” in their organizations, responsible for optimizing team performance and maintaining the mental and emotional well-being of their employees. This becomes even more crucial in fast-paced environments, where high stakes and constant challenges amplify stress and emotional responses.

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, a Mozambican agribusiness entrepreneur focused on sustainable fish farming to create jobs

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, founder, Indico Fish Farm. EI (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie is the founder of Indico Fish Farm. EI in Mozambique, where she is currently setting up her Nile Tilapia Production and Processing Unit. She has a degree in Marine Biology from Eduardo Mondlane University and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Population and Development. Prior to starting her business, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Natural History Museum in the area of marine and aquatic animal collections and also as a Zootechnician at Machado Knowhow in the area of animal production. Her business plan, which focused on Nile Tilapia Production and Processing, was the winner of the Agora Emprega 2023 Program at the national level in Maputo Province.

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