Africa needs more women global brand builders to get the world talking

In recent years, we have seen more and more African women entrepreneurs building world-class retail brands and breaking into exciting and lucrative global markets. Women built brands such as soleRebels in Ethiopia, Rain Africa and Carrol Boyes from South Africa, to name but a few, have successfully pioneered a path and achieved international success for other women to follow. They are tapping into what is currently a growing global fascination with all things African, with consumers interested in supporting and buying from purpose-driven brands that have a socially impactful back-story, rooted in community. Each of these successful woman-owned global brands understands the power of connecting with consumers through storytelling, through their celebration of local craftsmanship, ultimately creating impact at a local level through the unique products they create. There are lessons to be learned here for the next generation of aspirant global brand builders looking to emerge from the African continent.