the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Catia Mondlane
Discovering your passion and turning it into a sustainable business is a journey that requires courage, self-awareness, and, above all, action. It's not uncommon to feel the pressure to follow a conventional path, but it's when we connect with our true passions that we find personal and professional fulfilment. On this journey, we not only learn how to generate income but also how to impact lives.
Read more
by Daphney Klopper
In the world of business, the narrative that women are more risk-averse than men has persisted for decades. But is this perception rooted in reality, or is it a convenient stereotype that overlooks deeper, systemic issues?
Read more
by Ronel Jooste
It was the question “What is your plan for your personal growth?” that made world-renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell ponder about his career aspirations and that has ignited his journey becoming one of the most respected authors about leadership and personal growth.
Read more
Rochel Marie Lawson
Book Review
Author and entrepreneur, Rochel Marie Lawson, has written a book for all those women who are eager to elevate their entrepreneurial journeys. Dive into the pages of "Unstoppable Women's Manifesto", and harness the power of principles, perfectly curated for black women business leaders, to transform mere ideas into profitable ventures that run seamlessly without daily intervention. Join the journey with a seasoned entrepreneur as she unveils her potent formula, making this one of the essential small business books for women. Discover how to sculpt an unstoppable empire, designed particularly for ambitious women, without nearing the brink of burnout.
Read more
Echika Obijiaku, founder, Mwanga (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Echika Obijiaku is the founder of Mwanga - a digital-first ethical debt recovery and business process outsourcing (BPO) firm dedicated to promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria. Trusted by some of the continent’s leading lenders, Mwanga is on a mission to get at least 10 million Africans out of debt by 2030. Echika’s Obijiaku background is multidisciplinary with experience in leading high-performing teams across industries. Echika is also a chartered accountant with the ACCA, UK . She has 16+ years of combined consulting experience with leading firms like Deloitte & Touché, Alexander Forbes Nigeria & South Africa and others.
Read more
Irina Samade, founder and floral designer, Frangipani Flores (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Irina Samade is the founder and floral designer at Frangipani Flores in Mozambique. She has been working with Floral Art for 15 years having taken a number of specialist floral arrangement courses in Portugal, Brazil, USA and Mozambique. Her passion for flowers started very early with her mother growing violets in their garden. Then, unconsciously, she started toying with making floral arrangements for family and friends' birthdays, but at that time was very far from thinking about being a florist or opening a floristry business. However, all that changed with the launch of her floral design business, Frangipani Flores in 2014. Today, she remains curious in this specialist area of floral design and is constantly inspired by the work of renowned florists around the world.
Read more
Zebeline Ertance
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Videeko Vanilla, a business growing and exporting the highest quality premium Vanilla in Madagascar and creating economic opportunities for local women
Zebeline Ertance is the founder and managing partner of Videeko Vanilla ZP in Madagascar. Videeko Vanilla is a licensed exporter in Madagascar that grows, cures, and exports premium vanilla beans from its farms, it’s family-owned farms, and its cooperative in the Mananara Madagascar. Videeko support the local community in Mananara by employing over 100 local families, specifically woman, with high paying wages. Zebeline founded Videeko in 2019 and now employs over 100 people, many of them women from local communities. She has 20 years of experience in the vanilla industry.
Read more
by Sarah Dusek
Embracing who we truly are unlocks our true potential. As women entrepreneurs, we often face immense pressure to fit into certain molds—to appear a specific way, to act within socially accepted boundaries, and to pursue goals that align with what’s considered appropriate for us. We’re encouraged to be successful, but only in ways that fit society’s expectations. The truth is, when we bring our whole, authentic selves to our businesses—beyond those imposed limits—we can create opportunities not just for growth but for building something deeply aligned with who we are and the impact we want to make in the world.
Read more
by Vuyelwa Gxakushe
As Black Friday approaches, one thing is certain: your customers are already on the hunt for deals. They’re researching products, comparing prices, and planning their purchases. For you business owners, this is a golden opportunity. But here’s the catch—you won’t just magically appear in front of your customers. To stand out, your business needs to be found online, and your competitors are thinking the exact same thing. So, how do you make sure you’re the first choice when customers start searching for Black Friday deals? It all starts with getting prepared early and adjusting your marketing strategy for the busiest shopping season of the year.
Read more
by Margaret Hirsch
As we approach the final weeks of 2024, now is the perfect time to reflect on the year so far, assess how far we've come, and set our sights on finishing strong. But as we look ahead, we must also think about how to position ourselves for success in 2025. After all, you can’t hit a target you can’t see.
Read more
by Catia Mondlane
Starting a business can seem challenging, but with passion and dedication, it's possible to turn an idea into a successful reality. The key lies in identifying a problem you can solve, developing an effective solution, and from there, building something that makes a difference in people’s lives. I'll share a bit about my personal journey, which began with my own struggle and transformed into a skincare business focused on oily and acne-prone skin.
Read more
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.
Read more
Malorie Nicole
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru
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.
Read more
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.”
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more