FEATURED VIDEOS
Lilly Alfonso - a leading Malawian fashion designer featured on CNN - African Voices on January 11, 2019
Bupe Chipili Mulapesi is a Zambian agripreneur turning her passion for strawberry growing into a thriving business in the country.
Source: CNN Africa Marketplace | Aug 15, 2018
Women entrepreneurs are leading a new wave of Zambian artisan enterprises that are crafting beautiful products. Meet Janet Fredman the founder of Janet Fredman Designs, who is building an exciting artisan jewellery brand; and Martha Zulu the founder of Zulu Weaver, a company using traditional weaving techniques to craft beautiful textiles.
Source: Radio 702 | Published on Feb 21, 2018
Mary Mphande Lubemba, founder of Gramirage Mining is blazing a trail for women miners in Zambia.
Pioneering Women Entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community were showcased during the visit of the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to South Africa on Tuesday 28 August 2018.
Source: Rawcadia | Published on Jul 25, 2018
Start-up Night! Africa in London took place at Oxo Tower Wharf in London on Thursday 26 April 2018.
Perspectives - Documentary Series
LIONESS EVENT VIDEOS
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017| 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 | 6 September 2017 | Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Highlights from the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 held at the Inanda Club, Sandton, Johannesburg on 12 October 2016.
Lionesses of Africa, a fast expanding network of female entrepreneurs, has held its annual conference in Johannesburg. This vibrant community of women from across the continent have gathered to share their personal stories of success, challenges and future ambitions. Sumitra Nydoo catches up with some of the lionesses.
Melanie Hawken, Founder & CEO, Lionesses of Africa - opening speech at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016.
Funeka Montjane, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking South Africa, Standard Bank - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016. (2min)
Dr Ola Orekunrin, Founder & CEO, Flying Doctors Nigeria - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016 (2min)
Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs - highlights of a panel discussion at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016.
Anne Githuku Shongwe, Representative, UN Women South Africa Multi Country Office - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016. (2min)
The Change Makers - highlights of a panel discussion at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016.
Funding The Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs - highlights of a panel discussion at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016.
Ruka Sanusi, founder & CEO, Alldens Lane (Ghana) - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 October 2016 (2min)
Start-up Night! Africa in London took place at Oxo Tower Wharf in London on Thursday 26 April 2018. Powered by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Standard Bank Wealth International.
Speech by Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO of Lionesses of Africa at Start-up Night! Africa in London, which took place at Oxo Tower Wharf in London on Thursday 26 April. Powered by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Standard Bank Wealth International.
Speech by Will Thorp, CEO of Standard bank Wealth International, at Start-up Night! Africa in London, which took place at Oxo Tower Wharf in London on Thursday 26 April 2018. Powered by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Standard Bank Wealth International.
CGTN Africa | Published on Apr 28, 2018
A special Start-Up Night in London has showcased some of Africa's women business stars of the future. By connecting them with global investors and retailers to build their brands, the organizers hope they will help these entrepreneurs to prosper and help improve their communities. CGTN's Paul Barber went along to meet some of them.
Start-up Night! Africa - Berlin, 20 March 2018 -- Panel Discussion featuring Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa; Christoph Kennengiesser, ceo of the German African Business Association; and Dr Volker Treier, Deputy General Manager of DIHK. The trio discussed the roles of their organizations in supporting the growth and development of digital entrepreneurship in Africa.
The 2nd Lionesses of Africa Start-up Night! Africa took place in Berlin on 20 March 2018, in partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in Germany. Creating market access for Africa's high potential women entrepreneurs in digital.
Start-up Night! Africa - Berlin, 20 March 2018 -- Pitch Session featuring two Digital Women Entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa network - 1. Dorcas Muthoni, founder of Open World in Kenya, who showcased her game-changing new app called Open Business. It is an affordable point of sale app giving micro-entrepreneurs the tools to run and grow their businesses by keeping track of sales and inventory in real time; and 2. Jacqueline Rogers, founder of My Pregnancy Journey from South Africa, and the creator of a new life-changing app for Africa’s expectant moms.
The 2nd Lionesses of Africa Start-up Night! Africa took place in Berlin on 20 March 2018, in partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in Germany. Creating market access for Africa's high potential women entrepreneurs in digital.
Start-up Night! Africa - Berlin, 20 March 2018 -- Opening address by Mr Andreas Goerdeler of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany.
The 2nd Lionesses of Africa Start-up Night! Africa took place in Berlin on 20 March 2018, in partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in Germany. Creating market access for Africa's high potential women entrepreneurs in digital.
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie | Published on Oct 30, 2017
Gemeinsam mit dem afrikanischen Gründerinnenverband Lionesses of Africa hat das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi) am 26. Oktober 2017 die „Start-up Night! Afrika“ veranstaltet, die afrikanische Gründerinnen und Gründer sowie deutsche Start-ups mit Ideen für den afrikanischen Markt mit etablierten Unternehmen zusammenbrachte. Die „Start-up Night! Afrika“ war Teil der Initiative Pro! Afrika, die Bundeswirtschaftsministerin Brigitte Zypries ins Leben gerufen hat. Die Initiative zielt darauf, mehr Investitionen für Afrika zu mobilisieren und eine Wirtschaftspartnerschaft auf Augenhöhe zu etablieren.
CGTN Africa | Mar 22, 2018
African startups are building ties in Germany, where the government has said it wants to encourage private investment on the continent. African entrepreneurs recently had the chance to pitch their business ideas to investors and potential partners at Germany's economy ministry. CGTN's Ira Spitzer has more from Berlin.
Watch Brigitte Zypries, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, deliver the opening address at Start-up Night! Africa in Berlin on 26 October 2017. The event was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in partnership with Lionesses of Africa. The event was attended by over 300 potential investors, collaborators and influencers.
Watch Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa deliver the Keynote Address at Start-up Night! Africa in Berlin on 26 October 2017. The event was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in partnership with Lionesses of Africa. The event included pitches by 5 talented digital women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa network to an audience of over 300 potential investors, collaborators and influencers.
Watch 5 'Digital Women' entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa network pitch their businesses at Start-up Night! Africa in Berlin on 26 October 2017. The event was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in partnership with Lionesses of Africa. The event was attended by over 300 potential investors, collaborators and influencers.
Watch the highlights of Start-up Night! Africa held in Berlin on 26 October 2017. The event was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy in partnership with Lionesses of Africa. The event was attended by over 300 potential investors, collaborators and influencers.
Perspectives - Documentary Series
The Lioness Lean In breakfast event held in Johannesburg on 14 June 2018 in partnership with Open Workspaces, and held at their great co-working space in Sandton, had an added dimension. A film crew from the Perspectives documentary series were recording the event, capturing the spirit of the Lioness Lean In events, and interviewing Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken.
The Lionesses of Africa Accelerator Programme hopes women will be given the chance to take their business to the next level. Watch DEMO Day.
OPINION
Source: CNBCAfrica | Published on Aug 10, 2018
South Africa is celebrating Women's month for August and as we commemorate those building our nation this month, we ask just how much is being done for empowering women's entrepreneurship. Basani Maluleke, CEO of African Bank discusses the secrets of her success, the bank’s digital plans and her role model with CNBC Africa’s Nozipho Mbanjwa.
Source: International Finance Corporation | Published on Feb 12, 2018
Women Entrepreneurs Debt Fund. The WEDF provides senior loans to commercial banks for on-lending to women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to spur lending to women entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Source: TV2Africa | Published on May 3, 2017
The challenges that African women entrepreneurs face trying to raise funding for their ventures and the opportunities that are afforded to those who are successful in raising capital. Esther speaks with Small Business Advocate, Ngozi Bell.
TEDx TALKS
Source: TEDx Talks | Published on Jul 12, 2018
We spend time obsessing about the future, worrying, sometimes regretting what’s in the past rather than be in the NOW, focus on what is possible today. If we go by the future others have predicted for us or that which we have predicted for ourselves, we would never start. We create our future, our impossible NOW by moving forward, without thinking about the barriers.Â
A Global Leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry and proud Founder of Naturally Tribal Skincare Ltd, Shalom Lloyd holds a BSc and MSc Pharm from the Ukrainian Academy of Pharmacy and an MBA from the University of Liverpool. With a keen interest and passion for people, business and trade in emerging markets with a special interest in Africa, Shalom is an active mentor, supporting women to connect and find their voice through networking, developing relationships and championing trade. Leadership to her means combining the ‘what’ with the ‘how’ and the ‘who’ - looking at opportunities that present themselves, putting and connecting with the right people and doing this courageously, continuously challenging the status quo, with integrity, passion and fairness. A proud CommonwealthFirst Export Champion, Precious Award 2017 Outstanding Woman in STEM, Finalist 'Female Entrepreneur' Women Leaders MK Awards 2017 and Women4Africa Awards 2018 finalist. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Published on Feb 11, 2016 --- The water hyacinth may look like a harmless, even beautiful flowering plant — but it's actually an invasive aquatic weed that clogs waterways, stopping trade, interrupting schooling and disrupting everyday life. In this scourge, green entrepreneur Achenyo Idachaba, founder of Mitimeth in Nigeria, saw opportunity. Follow her journey as she turns weeds into woven wonders.
Published on Oct 20, 2014
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Eleni describes building a big, bold, beautiful market for a billion people in Africa. This market would improve the livelihoods of millions of small farmers and traders. She has done this successfully in Ethiopia and is started to branch out across Africa. She believes this idea will help end poverty in Africa.
Published on Jun 18, 2013 --- Tech communities are booming all over Africa, says Nairobi-based Juliana Rotich, cofounder of the open-source software Ushahidi. But it remains challenging to get and stay connected in a region with frequent blackouts and spotty internet hookups. So Rotich and friends developed BRCK, offering resilient connectivity for the developing world.
Published on Mar 20, 2014 --- Magatte Wade, an African serial social entrepreneur, presented "The Four Stages of Bringing an Idea to Life." She asserted how today everyone wants to work with tech companies and never for other consumer brands, to which she replied, "More room for me." After $32 million raised, she abandoned her Sengalese beverage company to create a high-end natural skin-care company. She knew that for the world to change its perception of Africa, and for Africa to change its perception of the world, that she should use the power of consumer brands: "At the end of the day, we are nothing more or less than human beings. I want to enhance the human experience."
Published on Sep 8, 2015 --- When she was 12 her father died leaving her mother to fend for herself and two small children. Margaret’s strong sense of survival and her positive attitude helped pull her little family through the tough times. Having had to battle from an early age, she found that it is possible, through share determination and a positive attitude, to get ahead and now all Hirsch’s staff members are encouraged to better themselves and are shown that by uplifting themselves they will ultimately uplift those around them.
Published on Jul 18, 2013 --- En 1992, Aïssa Dione, peintre et designer textile, a créé la société Aïssa Dione Tissus (ADT). Son ambition première est de se positionner dans le développement de la filière textile au Sénégal, tout en encourageant la pérennisation et le développement d'un savoir-faire traditionnel en voie de disparition. Très tôt, l'entreprise se concentre sur les procédés de transformation du coton, créant une très longue chaîne de valeurs ajoutées - non seulement tissus, mais aussi mobilier et accessoires - sur la matière première de base. Aujourd'hui, ADT compte une centaine d'employés en grande partie spécialisés dans le tissage, mais aussi dans la menuiserie, la sculpture sur bois, la confection et la broderie.
Published on Mar 26, 2015 --- Victoria Kisyombe has founded micro-financing for women in Tanzania, and is now working to empower women worldwide. Dr. Victoria Kisyombe is a leader who has used innovation, initiative, and determination to empower women in Tanzania to become economically self-sufficient. Given women’s lack of collateral and resulting lack of access to capital, Victoria began pioneering micro-leasing as a solution. Pioneering micro-leasing model as an alternative way to financing women has generated praise beyond Tanzania, and efforts are under way to expand the model to other countries in the region.
Source: TEDx Talks | Published on Jan 27, 2016
Do u want to be a spectator or participant in your country? Monica narrates her journey into entrepreneurship as a Zambian woman. Working for the richest man in Africa, her former employer Dangote asked “Where are the Zambian Banks & Factories?” Monica reflected on how Nigerians run their economy and this inspired her to actively participate in her own country’s economy. Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a Zambian based food processing company. It is committed to providing high quality and nutritious food from local products at affordable prices. Java Foods’ first product was “eeZee Instant Noodles”, which is Zambia’s leading instant noodle brand today. Monica is a dual qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate. She has held senior positions in private practice with Clifford Chance & Edward Nathan. She has also worked as in house corporate counsel at International Finance Corporation and for Dangote Group. Her experience working with Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs, gave her the impetus to start Java Foods.
Source: TEDx Talks | Published on Jun 28, 2017
If you were raised by Africans, you know that a job in any 'creative' industry was not one of their dreams for you. Art, music, fashion, acting, writing, dance... all hobbies that could be pursued as long as they did not interfere with 'real' life. Dorothy Ghettuba wants to change that with the creation of an actual creative industry. Dorothy Ghettuba is the CEO of Spielworks Media regional leader in content creation boasting 15 Television Shows, over 20 web shows, and more than 40 movies for Television.
Source: TEDx Talks | Published on Nov 15, 2016
At TEDxAmsterdamWomen 2016 Mariéme Jamme unveiled her new venture of launching IAMTHECODE – an African-led global movement aimed at supporting girls through creative learning and code training in STEAMD: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design. Mariéme Jamme is a Senegalese-born British businesswoman in technology. Her consultancy company Spotone Global Solutions helps technology companies to set a foothold in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She has supported many organisations such as Google, Ernest and Young, The Africa Progress Panel chaired by Kofi Annan, The Obama Administration, and multiple African governments through their STEM policies. Mariéme was named one of the 100 most influential Africans by the African Business Magazine and 20 youngest powerful women in Africa by Forbes. Mariéme newly became Advisory Board Member of Data Pop Alliance, a global coalition promoting a people-centered Big Data revolution and a judge and Academy member of the Prestigious Global Teachers Prize Academy. Mariéme was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum for her activism work in empowering and investing in young girls and women in Africa.
100 LIONESSES
Source: TEDx | published on Mar 26, 2015
Dr. Victoria Kisyombe has founded micro-financing for women in Tanzania, and is now working to empower women worldwide. Victoria is a leader who has used innovation, initiative, and determination to empower women in Tanzania to become economically self-sufficient. Watch her address at TEDx Berkeley.
As part of LoA 'Women in Tech' month, we spoke to the inspirational techpreneur Nkemdilim Begho, founder of Futuresoft in Nigeria, and a passionate supporter of women's entrepreneurship and empowerment through technology in Africa.
Source: SABC News | Published on March 4, 2015
Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO Of Kenya's Keroche Breweries talks about her latest move and major investment to increase her company's production capacity. Keroche Breweries plans to raise its share of the beer market by 20 percent over the coming twelve months. It started in 1997 as a wine maker, then diversified into beer and spirits in 2008.
Source: Cadillac Dare Greatly Series | Published on February 22, 2015
Njeri Rionge was a hairdresser with an entrepreneurial streak. She dared to trust her instincts and in doing so helped bring low cost internet to East Africa, and built its biggest internet service provider. In the video below Njeri is featured in Cadillac's 'We Dare Greatly' series - celebrating daring changemakers, whose passion and vision have reshaped their industries, our lives and our future. She discusses what it means to #DareGreatly and how to empower daring entrepreneurialism in Africa.
Video source: The Washington Post PostTV | August 15, 2014
Victoria Kisyombe, founder of SELFINA, a pioneering micro-credit organization for women in Tanzania, talks to the Post's Lillian Cunningham about what motivated her work and how she turned personal loss into strength.
Source: CNBC Africa | 12 February 2015
Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding, has won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Master Category for the Kenyan region. Joining CNBC Africa for more is the winner herself Jennifer Riria, CEO, Kenya Women Holding.
Source: Diamond Woman's Nigerian Women of Vision | Published on November 30, 2014
This video features Bella Naija's founder Uche Pedro who has recently been named as one of the ’30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa in 2014′ by Forbes. She is the Managing Director of BellaNaija and Creative Director of BellaNaija.com, an online company that develops and manages exciting online media content aimed at Pan-African and Nigerian audiences.
Video published on 1 December 2014
Ethel Cofie is tech entrepreneur and founder of women in tech Ghana/Africa. In this video she shares her thoughts on Women's Leadership, Technology and Entrepreneurship.
Source: CNBC Africa | Published on 26 November 2014
CNBC Africa's profiles Dr. Jennifer Riria, CEO of Kenya Women Holding, who works tirelessly to empower women in her native Kenya by giving them small loans to start businesses.
Source: Time | September 12, 2014
British-Nigerian doctor Ola Orekunrin may be only 28, but she’s already founded Nigeria’s first emergency air ambulance service. Flying Doctors has become an essential service, airlifting patients from remote areas to hospitals, and providing care en route. It has helped hundreds of patients, particularly employees in the country’s oil and gas sector, who are among Flying Doctors’ top clients.
Source: Bruno demeocq
Watch highly skilled artisan weavers at work in Assia Dione's workshop in Dakar, Senegal as they create beautiful fabrics prized by many of the high-end interior design brands of the world.
Source: Poverty Cure | Published on September 19, 2013
Lydie Hakizimana of Rwanda describes the effects of corruption on the human spirit. The problem of corruption extends beyond dollars and cents. It crushes the entrepreneurial spirit of a people.
Source: US AID | Published on February 8, 2013
Lydia Hakizimana talks about a children's reading programme and competition she launched in Rwanda to inspire children to get more excited about reading.
Source: Diamond Women | Published on October 10, 2014
Diamond Women selected Dr. Ola Orekunrin as the Diamond Woman of the month for October. Dr. Ola Orekunrin is the founder of The Flying Doctors Nigeria, a leading air ambulance service in Nigeria. Here she discusses among other things her views on the latest Ebola crisis impacting West Africa.
Source: ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike, published on Feb 14, 2014
Nigerian fashion pioneer Deola Sagoe celebrated 25 years in the business with a solo exhibition at the 2014 New York Fashion Show. ARISE Entertainment 360, hosted by Lola Ogunnaike sat down with her moments before the festivities began.
Source: eNCA | Published on Aug 29, 2014
eNCA profiles remarkable women in a series called August Women. Sibongile Sambo turned her dream of flight to reality by becoming the first black female to own an aviation company in South Africa.
Source: Walmart | Published on 7 March 2013
Walmart and Full Circle Exchange connect shoppers with quality products made by the network of women basket weavers in Rwanda, allowing customers to help the lives of their families and communities.
Source: SABC Top Billing, published on August 3, 2013
SABC's Top Billing show brings you all the glamour of the launch of entrepreneur, Khanyi Dlomo's new department store, Luminance. Khanyi shares the background to what inspired her to take the leap into the high-end retail business.
Source: Inspired Citizen, Anthony Berklich, published on Feb 17, 2014
Anthony Berklich sat down with Khanyi Dhlomo at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg to discuss her entrepreneur story, her philosophy and her advice to those who have big dreams and ambitions.
Video published by Diamond Women on Mar 19, 2014
Diamond Women features Nike Ogunlesi in this fascinating interview. Nike talks about what motivates and inspires her personally as a woman entrepreneur; offers valuable advice to women who aspire to start their own businesses; and talks about the contribution women can make to society.
Adenike Ogunlesi's has blazed a trail as a female entrepreneur in Nigeria. Her story offers hope and inspiration to all women who have a dream of one day starting and owning their own business.
Source: WisdomExchangeTV | Published on Aug 18, 2014
Wisdom Exchange TV and host Suzanne F Stevens interviews Angela Dick, founder and CEO of Transman, the largest privately owned, temporary employment service provider in South Africa. Angela discusses the early days of starting her company and her inspiring journey to becoming one of South Africa's leading women entrepreneurs.
Published by the Internet Hall of Fame on Apr 12, 2014
Irine Misoi, representative for Dorcas Muthoni, gives an acceptance speech at the Internet Society's Internet Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 8, 2014.
Video published on April 9, 2012
Njeri Rionge talks about how she we went from humble beginnings as a hairdresser to co-founding a leading Internet Service Provider, Wananchi Online. This celebrated Kenyan serial entrepreneur talks about how she grew this startup to become East Africa's leading cable, broadband and internet-based phone company. She also talks about how she's moved on to found new ventures such as Ingnite Consulting. All said and done, Njeri says she has just got started and is looking to scale even more heights as a successful woman entrepreneur. A true inspiration for all African women wanting to make their way in business.
Video: CNN African Start-Up, June 27, 2014
Featuring Teta Isibo the founder of Inzuki Designs, a Kigali-based startup that specializes in jewelry, accessories and interior decor.
Every week, African Start-Up follows entrepreneurs in various countries across the continent to see how they are working to make their business dreams become reality.
Published on May 8, 2013
Teta Isibo introduces the products of Inzuki Design which was one of the businesses represented at Rwanda Day Boston.
Source: CNN African Voices
Watch this against all odds story of this 48-year-old entrepreneur who has painstakingly turned the first Kenyan-owned brewery into a lucrative business. In the process, she had to succeed where others had tried and failed in the face of an entrenched monopoly.
Source: New York Forum Africa 2014 | May 24-26 | Libreville, Gabon
Tara Fela-Durotoye talks about her entrepreneurial journey as founder of House of Tara, the opportunities for her business going forward, and her views on entrepreneurship in Africa.
Source: SPICE TV, published on Mar 31, 2014
SPICE TV Celebrates Mothers in Fashion as veteran designer Deola Sagoe marks 25 years in the industry. In honour of Mother's Day and after a month celebrating 'Mothers in Fashion', SPICE TV brings you a tribute to Deola Sagoe -- the designer, the woman and mother, as you've never seen her before. In an intimate, exclusive interview detailing the designer's move to rebrand her label from Deola Sagoe to Deola, her work, achievements and her inspirations, Deola shares on her Mother, children and motherhood itself, giving insight into the icon's inner circle.
EMERGING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Women entrepreneurs are leading a new wave of Zambian artisan enterprises that are crafting beautiful products. Meet Janet Fredman the founder of Janet Fredman Designs, who is building an exciting artisan jewellery brand; and Martha Zulu the founder of Zulu Weaver, a company using traditional weaving techniques to craft beautiful textiles.
CGTN Africa | Published on May 5, 2017
Lizl Naude, a South African entrepreneur is hoping to change perceptions about waste. She creates unique pieces of furniture from discarded materials or junk. Her creations also help save the planet at the same time. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more from Cape Town.
Little Gabies is an Ethiopian made 100% natural, handwoven and eco-friendly baby blanket that has become quite popular in the US. You can find it in top stores like Macy's. This video shows the process of making one Little Gaby from spinning, weaving, embroidery to packaging in just two minutes. More: http://www.littlegabies.com
Little Gabies is an Ethiopian made 100% natural, handwoven and eco-friendly baby blanket that has become quite popular in the US. You can find it in top stores like Macy's. This video shows the process of making one Little Gaby from spinning, weaving, embroidery to packaging in just two minutes. More: http://www.littlegabies.com
Featured Artisan Enterprise: ZAAF, founded by Abai Schulze, is a collection of handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. ZAAF is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. ZAAF’s creations see their genesis in a process of meticulous excellence that exists in each and every step of their fashioning. Each piece draws its inspiration from a particular region, and is crafted with the finest materials that come from natural resources unique to the latter. Color, texture, and ageless patterns made on a traditional loom, are beautifully merged to create a discrete statement of elegance and practicality that reflect those same characteristics of those who are at home in the world.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: ZAAF, founded by Abai Schulze, is a collection of handcrafted luxury leather handbags and accessories produced by artisans in Ethiopia. ZAAF is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. ZAAF’s creations see their genesis in a process of meticulous excellence that exists in each and every step of their fashioning. Each piece draws its inspiration from a particular region, and is crafted with the finest materials that come from natural resources unique to the latter. Color, texture, and ageless patterns made on a traditional loom, are beautifully merged to create a discrete statement of elegance and practicality that reflect those same characteristics of those who are at home in the world.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Achenyo Idachaba is the founder of MitiMeth, a social enterprise in Nigeria transforming water weeds into artisan crafted accessories. In a bid to deal with the abundance of invasive water hyacinth plants clogging up local waterways, Achenyo is transforming the weeds from nuisance plants to beautifully-handcrafted artisan products. She identified an ecological problem adversely affecting local communities and then set about building a business to fix it using local artisanal skills!
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Achenyo Idachaba is the founder of MitiMeth, a social enterprise in Nigeria transforming water weeds into artisan crafted accessories. In a bid to deal with the abundance of invasive water hyacinth plants clogging up local waterways, Achenyo is transforming the weeds from nuisance plants to beautifully-handcrafted artisan products. She identified an ecological problem adversely affecting local communities and then set about building a business to fix it using local artisanal skills!
Featured Artisan Enterprise: haute | baso in Rwanada was founded by Linda Mukangoga Ndungutse and Candy Basomingera. These two creative women joined forces with a common vision to make Rwanda the go-to place to find quality leather products. They share a common belief in the strength of their country’s unique aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s dynamic and culturally vibrant history while adding a modern touch. Their designs successfully merge different artisan skillsets and creative processes that produce unique and marketable pieces. Their mission is to translate their passion for art and design into a vehicle for positive change, providing a creative outlet for local and regional artisans while promoting job creation.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: haute | baso in Rwanada was founded by Linda Mukangoga Ndungutse and Candy Basomingera. These two creative women joined forces with a common vision to make Rwanda the go-to place to find quality leather products. They share a common belief in the strength of their country’s unique aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s dynamic and culturally vibrant history while adding a modern touch. Their designs successfully merge different artisan skillsets and creative processes that produce unique and marketable pieces. Their mission is to translate their passion for art and design into a vehicle for positive change, providing a creative outlet for local and regional artisans while promoting job creation.
Featured Arisan: Lucy Beard is the co-founder of Hope on Hopkins Distillery, a small artisanal distillery in the heart of Cape Town that prides itself on truly crafting its own spirits. These passionate artisans bring you “grain to glass” spirits packed full of new flavours and an interesting range of botanicals, made by using the age old process of batch distillation with their two faithful stills – Mildred and Maude.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Lucy Beard is the co-founder of Hope on Hopkins Distillery, a small artisanal distillery in the heart of Cape Town that prides itself on truly crafting its own spirits. These passionate artisans bring you “grain to glass” spirits packed full of new flavours and an interesting range of botanicals, made by using the age old process of batch distillation with their two faithful stills – Mildred and Maude.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Coral Stephens founded her weaving studio in 1949 in Piggs Peak, Northern Swaziland. Coral Stephens maintains the tradition of hand-woven quality fabrics for use in home, hospitality and commercial décor projects. They weave décor fabrics and carpets made from hand spun mohair, silk, cotton, and raffia. Fabrics are both classic and modern.
Featured Artisan: Candice Johnson is the founder of Miss Knitwear in South Africa --- In a world which is increasingly turning its attention to all things hand-crafted, and companies using ethically sourced materials that support local craftsmanship, Candice Johnson is one entrepreneur turning her passion for luxury, handcrafted knitwear, into a thriving business, aptly named Miss Knitwear.
Featured Artisan: Candice Johnson is the founder of Miss Knitwear in South Africa --- In a world which is increasingly turning its attention to all things hand-crafted, and companies using ethically sourced materials that support local craftsmanship, Candice Johnson is one entrepreneur turning her passion for luxury, handcrafted knitwear, into a thriving business, aptly named Miss Knitwear.
Featured Artisan: Aïssa Dione created the eponymous Aissa Dione Textiles company with the objective of relaunching the textile production chain in Senegal by combining art and industry while encouraging the sustainability and development of traditional skills threatened with dissipation.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Aïssa Dione created the eponymous Aissa Dione Textiles company with the objective of relaunching the textile production chain in Senegal by combining art and industry while encouraging the sustainability and development of traditional skills threatened with dissipation.
Featured Artisan: Lisa Ackroyd established Colony Design in 2012 - a leather design label which is rooted in her unbridled desire to create an inspired leather and canvas collection that marries traditional leather materials and craftsmanship, with contemporary requirements and detail.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Lisa Ackroyd established Colony Design in 2012 - a leather design label which is rooted in her unbridled desire to create an inspired leather and canvas collection that marries traditional leather materials and craftsmanship, with contemporary requirements and detail.
Featured Artisan: Sasa Designs by the Deaf launched in Fall 2011 with the goal of providing employment and fair wages to Deaf artisans in Kenya. With an estimated unemployment rate of 85% among the Deaf in Kenya, few will have an opportunity to discover their potential, work in dignity and earn a fair wage. Employers are simply not willing to deal with the communication issues that arise working with the Deaf. Sasa Designs gives Deaf artisans the chance they’ve been waiting for – the chance to learn new skills, to discover what they are capable of and to feel productive.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Sasa Designs by the Deaf launched in Fall 2011 with the goal of providing employment and fair wages to Deaf artisans in Kenya. With an estimated unemployment rate of 85% among the Deaf in Kenya, few will have an opportunity to discover their potential, work in dignity and earn a fair wage. Employers are simply not willing to deal with the communication issues that arise working with the Deaf. Sasa Designs gives Deaf artisans the chance they’ve been waiting for – the chance to learn new skills, to discover what they are capable of and to feel productive.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Zizamele Ceramic's, founded by Toni Burton, produce a wonderfully artistic range of handmade and handpainted African-inspired ceramics crafted by a group of local Xhosa artists. Toni recognised that while South Africa has no shortage of extremely talented artists, the challenge lies in finding ways for them to use these raw skills to create a better life and a sustainable income. This is where Zizamele Ceramics has come into its own. Zizamele's talented team of women ceramicists and artists create highly sought after and collectable ceramic pieces that can now be found in homes, offices and galleries around the world.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Zizamele Ceramic's, founded by Toni Burton, produce a wonderfully artistic range of handmade and handpainted African-inspired ceramics crafted by a group of local Xhosa artists. Toni recognised that while South Africa has no shortage of extremely talented artists, the challenge lies in finding ways for them to use these raw skills to create a better life and a sustainable income. This is where Zizamele Ceramics has come into its own. Zizamele's talented team of women ceramicists and artists create highly sought after and collectable ceramic pieces that can now be found in homes, offices and galleries around the world.
Featured Artisan: Akosua Afriyie-Kumi is the founder of Afroluxe handbag brand, A A K S, in Ghana. Her brand is a wonderful showcase of the ancient Ghanaian weaving craft. Using skills and techniques that are unique to Northern region of Ghana, the craftsmanship is the foundation of her brand. A A K S bags are woven incorporating the use of raffia and leather. It takes approximately one week to complete a handbag. Akosua has an unwavering dedication to modern style and interpretations using traditional artisanal methods.
Featured Artisan: Akosua Afriyie-Kumi is the founder of Afroluxe handbag brand, A A K S, in Ghana. Her brand is a wonderful showcase of the ancient Ghanaian weaving craft. Using skills and techniques that are unique to Northern region of Ghana, the craftsmanship is the foundation of her brand. A A K S bags are woven incorporating the use of raffia and leather. It takes approximately one week to complete a handbag. Akosua has an unwavering dedication to modern style and interpretations using traditional artisanal methods.
Featured Artisan: Carol Morris, owner of Barrydale Hand Weavers, has been involved in fabric craft for the last 30 years. In 2007 she took over her friends' business and decided to move to Barrydale where she trained local community members as weavers.
Featured Artisan Enterprise: Carol Morris, owner of Barrydale Hand Weavers, has been involved in fabric craft for the last 30 years. In 2007 she took over her friends' business and decided to move to Barrydale where she trained local community members as weavers.
RECENTLY UPLOADED VIDEOS
Lorna Rutto resigned her comfortable banking job in 2009 to start EcoPost in Nairobi. Every month, her company uses approximately 20 tons of plastic waste. Utilising dirty plastic to make a product that saves wood is not just an environmental plus; it also boosts employment.
Source: CNN African Voices | 11 January 2019
Building a fashion brand with a unique personality, great style appeal, and a social conscience can be a tall order for many. But for the talented designer and entrepreneur, Lilly Alfonso, a leading light on the Malawian fashion and business scene, this is the nature of the business and brand she is building.
VIDEO: Bupe Chipili Mulapesi is a Zambian agripreneur turning her passion for strawberry growing into a thriving business in the country.
Source: CNN Africa Marketplace
Can leather become one of Nigeria's growth industries? With an enthusiastic crop of designers championing Nigeria's leather industry, the country is continuing to diversify its economy by looking beyond oil. Femi Olayebi is a woman at the forefront of this growing industry with her exciting and creative luxury brand, Femi Handbags.
The Lioness Lean In breakfast event held in Johannesburg on 14 June 2018 in partnership with Open Workspaces, and held at their great co-working space in Sandton, had an added dimension. A film crew from the Perspectives documentary series were recording the event, capturing the spirit of the Lioness Lean In events, and interviewing Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken.
Leading woman entrepreneur Amina Hersi has inspired many young women in Uganda to work because she has made it clear that working hard puts you up there and helps you to achieve great things. Amina is one of the most influential women in Uganda who has inspired many to work tooth and nail to achieve success. Having started from a humble beginning, Amina is now enjoying fruits of her hard work.
Source: Radio 702 | Published on Feb 21, 2018
Featuring Swaady Martin. Swaady Martin is the founder of YSWARA, a rapidly growing African luxury brand. YSWARA creates elegant, high-end products using the continent’s natural resources, all produced by African artisans. The product range centres around exquisite teas sourced from across Africa, Swaady aims to capture a true spirit of African luxury by reviving Africa’s endangered cultural heritage and unique ancestral craftsmanship.
Watch this fascinating interview with Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and ceo of soleRebels, as she talks about how she has led her Ethiopian business to become the fastest growing African shoe brand, now taking the world by storm.
Source: CGTN Africa | Published on May 5, 2017
Lizl Naude is a South African entrepreneur working to change perceptions about waste. She creates unique pieces of furniture from discarded materials or junk. Her creations also help save the planet at the same time. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more from Cape Town.
Source: Talks at Google | Published on Apr 3, 2017
Mo Abudu is the founder of EbonyLife TV. She has achieved success in various fields - as an Executive in ExxonMobil for nearly a decade, as the promoter behind the Protea Hotel Oakwood Park, as well as the Founder of Vic Lawrence & Associates, one of Nigeria’s leading Outsourcing firms. Then she entered the world of media as the Creator and Hostess of “MOMENTS WITH MO”, earning the accolade of ‘Africa’s ‘first lady of chat’. The show was the first of its kind to be syndicated across Africa, with an impressive guest list that includes Hillary Rodham-Clinton, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Christine Lagarde, amongst others.
Adèle Dejak is one of an emerging group of entrepreneurs who are adding value to Kenya's arts and fashion industry. Speaking to Nikiwe Bikitsha for the Africa Connected series, the jewellery designer said that she aims to create a platform that shares information with women that will empower them in business. Adele is part of a group called "Lionesses of Africa" which aims to recognise all those women entrepreneurs in Africa who are an inspiration to us all, those who have made it to the top of their fields and who are shaking up their industries and business sectors.
Watch the highlights showreel of The Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016 held in 12 October at the Inanda Club, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Female entrepreneurs from across Africa will meet in Johannesburg this week. The conference, hosted by Lionesses of Africa, will bring together 280 women entrepreneurs to share their stories of success and inspire each other. To tell us more, we are joined by Melanie Hawken, Founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa.
Source: Soweto TV | Tonight with Tim Modise | Published on July 15, 2016
The idea for SweepSouth came in December 2013 when husband and wife team Alen Ribic and Aisha R. Pandor struggled to find a part-time domestic cleaner over the holidays. The aim was to make getting your home cleaned, at short notice, a hassle-free experience. SweepSouth currently operates in most areas of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Centurion and Pretoria and will be expanding into other regions soon.
Bilikiss Adebiyi, co-founder and CEO of Wecyclers in Nigeria talks about how the idea for her business started in an MIT class; how the service works; the incentives people receive to recycle; how it works financially for this social enterprise; and her ambitions for the business.
Published on Jul 19, 2016 --- Gathering leaders from business, civil society, Government, the UN and academia, the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit highlighted how the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a tremendous market opportunity for business and other stakeholders to innovate, invest and collaborate to create a more sustainable future for all. In this video is Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu the Founder and Executive Director of soleRebels.
Ally Angula, Group Managing Director and Chief Strategist of Leap Holdings, talks about her business and the challenges she faced when building a sustainable agribusiness. And what fashion has to do with it? Watch the video and learn more.
Tabitha Karanja, founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries in Kenya, talks about the importance of empowering women and allowing them to play a key role in growing the economy in their country.
Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, together with Global Women’s Summit Rwanda Director and Founder of Kora Associates, Mireille Karera, were invited into the Rwanda TV studios on 7th March to take part in the Debate 411 television programme, hosted by renowned anchor and tv personality, Eugene Anangwe. The topic under discussion was Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Do you want to be a spectator or a participant in your country? Monica Musonda narrates her journey into entrepreneurship as a Zambian woman. Working for the richest man in Africa, her former employer Aliko Dangote asked “Where are the Zambian Banks & Factories?” Monica reflected on how Nigerians run their economy and this inspired her to actively participate in her own country’s economy.
Watch this fascinating interview with Ethel Cofie, one of the leading women in Africa's tech scene, in which she discusses her personal entrepreneurial journey and how she is also helping to propel more women in tech to be successful.
Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. This week, CNN’s African Start-Up featured this pioneering woman entrepreneur whose love for flying has paved the way to a successful private aviation business.
South African entrepreneur Thato Kgatlhanye, founder of Rethaka Repurpose Schoolbags, explains how her innovative company designs and manufactures school bags from recycled plastic bags in South Africa.
Kofo Akinkugbe, founder of Secure ID Limited share her entrepreneurial journey at the 7th Annual Career Conference themed ''Continuous Improvement'' held in Lagos on 17 March 2015. She talks about the birth of her company SecureID Nigeria Ltd.
Dame Stephanie Shirley is the most successful tech entrepreneur you never heard of. In the 1960s, she founded a pioneering all-woman software company in the UK, which was ultimately valued at $3 billion, making millionaires of 70 of her team members. In this frank and often hilarious talk, she explains why she went by “Steve,” how she upended the expectations of the time, and shares some sure-fire ways to identify ambitious women.…
Elizabeth Holmes speaks to emerging women leaders in STEM from 21 countries in Africa, Central Asia & the Middle East. These 100 women pledged to be #ironsisters: women helping 100 other women so as to impact 10,000.
Thato Kgatlhanye is one of three Sub-Saharan Finalists of the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be joining 17 other inspirational women entrepreneurs selected from over 1700 applications from more than 100 countries in Paris this month to hear the announcement of this year’s Laureates. The Laureates will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2015 in France. In this video she speaks about her experience as an entrepreneur.
Chinwe Ohajuruka is one of three Sub-Saharan Finalists of the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be joining 17 other inspirational women entrepreneurs selected from over 1700 applications from more than 100 countries in Paris this month to hear the announcement of this year’s Laureates. The Laureates will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2015 in France. In this video she speaks about her experience as an entrepreneur.
Suzana Moreira is one of three Sub-Saharan Finalists of the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be joining 17 other inspirational women entrepreneurs selected from over 1700 applications from more than 100 countries in Paris this month to hear the announcement of this year’s Laureates. The Laureates will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2015 in France. In this video she speaks about her experience as an entrepreneur.
BRCK Education was launched in Nairobi on 22 September with the aim of addressing many of the country’s education problems, which include a lack of access to the Internet and technology, unreliable electricity supply, high mobile data costs, and lack of technological literacy by both teachers and learners.
Highlights showreel of the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2017 held on 6 September at Inanda Club, Johannesburg, South Africa.