This August, Lionesses of Africa is featuring the talented women entrepreneurs who are changing the PR, media and communications landscape in Africa through their innovation, products, services and their passion for what they do.

Some of the names and companies are well-known - others are new to the scene - but all of them are making waves through their work in creating memorable PR campaigns for their clients, producing great brand communications strategies and campaigns, and producing world-class media platforms and channels in television, radio and film, not to mention the published media of magazines and newspapers.

Let's introduce you to some of these amazing women....

Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife TV, Nigeria

Mo Abudu is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV, Africa's first and fastest growing black entertainment and lifestyle network. Mo Abudu, Nigerian media entrepreneur and talk show host, is the first African woman to launch a Pan-African TV channel. The channel currently on DSTV Channel 165, as well as in the UK on the TalkTalk platform, providing premium, original and home-grown programming to its ever increasing viewership. She has received many awards In recognition of her outstanding work in media and her services to humanity, and was most recently honoured with an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Babcock University. Read more from Mo here.

Khanyi Dhlomo, founder of Ndalo Media, South Africa

Khanyi Dhlomo is the Managing Director of Ndalo Media, which she founded in 2007. She is also the founder of DestinyConnect and the founding editor of Destiny Magazine. Before starting her own media company, Khanyi was editor of True Love magazine for eight years. In 2013, Khanyi ventured in retail and launched Luminance, a high-end fashion and lifestyle department store. Khanyi was named most influential woman in South African Media by The Media Magazine in 2003 and made the 2011 Forbes list of 20 Young Power Women in Africa. Read Khanyi's '100 Lionesses' profile here.

Uche Pedro, founder of BellaNaija.com, Nigeria

Uche Pedro is founder of BellaNaija.com, a company that develops and delivers exciting online content aimed at Nigerian and Pan-African audiences. Uche’s savvy grasp of media trends has led to BellaNaija.com becoming the go-to lifestyle, entertainment and fashion portal in Africa. Her website has established a loyal following amongst the young, cosmopolitan, upwardly mobile set in Nigeria, with over 1 million unique visitors and 9 million page views each month. Read Uche's '100 Lionesses' profile here.

Basetsana Kumalo, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist

Basetsana 'Bassie' Kumalo is a South African television personality, beauty pageant titleholder, serial entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Her career began in 1990 when she was crowned Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa at the age of 16. Since then, Bassie has become a formidable force in the business world and is widely respected as both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. A Director at Travel with Flair, she also owns her own optical, sunglasses and cosmetic range. In the media space, Basetsana is best known as co-founder and Executive Chairman of Tswelopele Productions, a television production company which produces the popular shows Top Billing, Pasella, Ses’Khona amongst others. In 2011 she was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Read more about Basetsana here.

Patience Stevens, co-founder of Tswelopele Productions, South Africa

Patience Stevens is co-founder of Tswelopele Productions in South Africa, a leading TV production company, accredited by Impumelelo as one of South Africa’s Top 300 empowerment companies. Tswelopele is a Sotho word meaning to lift up, empower and to liberate people. It’s a story of progress driven by the energy and enthusiasm of Tswelopele Production’s Managing Director Patience Stevens and Chairperson Basetsana Kumalo. The company’s flagship brand is the Top Billing TV show that is produced for SABC3, the longest-running entertainment and lifestyle television programme in South Africa. In recent years Top Billing’s success has brought more projects to the reputable Tswelopele brand, such as the Afrikaans weekly magazine programme Pasella on prime time SABC 2, a youth TV show in SiSwati, Ses’khona on SABC 1; a travel series Top Travel which has achieved success locally and on the Travel Channel in Europe and Wealth TV in the USA; Top Dogs, a show celebrating top South African achievers; a talk show No Reservations and in print, Top Billing Magazine. More about Patience.

Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR, Kenya

Diana Opoti the founder of Diana Opoti PR is a fashion media professional, avid blogger, entrepreneur and executive producer of the television series Designing Africa, with a hit campaign, 100 Days of African Fashion. Diana is a leading champion of the continent’s fashion design market and has become one of the Africa’s most formidable fashion connectors. In 2014, Diana was nominated as “outstanding Trend Communicator of the year by the continent’s most prestigious awards, The Africa Fashion Awards. More about Diana.

Our Startup stories of Africa's women in Media, PR & Communications

Featured

Oct 13, 2024

Pearl Tsheko, a leader in graphic design and creative print ideas for businesses in Botswana

Oct 13, 2024

Pearl Tsheko is the founder and ceo of Black Fabrick in Botswana. Through her company, she provides high-quality business imaging, marketing, and branding services, catering to a diverse clientele ranging from startups to multinational corporations.

Oct 13, 2024

Sep 22, 2024

Sheillah Siima, a Tanzanian entrepreneur publishing resources and tools to help make daily life more organized

Sep 22, 2024

Sheillah Siima is the creative head and founder of Sheillah Publications located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is also a self-publisher, author, and is professionally an editor for print media. Her company publishes a range of resources, tools, and journals to help businesses and individuals manage their lives more effectively.

Sep 22, 2024

Jul 14, 2024

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

Jul 14, 2024

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.

Jul 14, 2024

Apr 21, 2024

Kutloano Skosana, a South African creative entrepreneur harnessing the power of storytelling

Apr 21, 2024

Kutloano Skosana is a creative entrepreneur from South Africa, now based in the US. She is the Creator and Host of Shades and Layers, a podcast dedicated to the stories of Black and Other Women of Color entrepreneurs across the globe. Kutloano’s media career began in radio journalism after she graduated from Rhodes University shortly after the country’s first democratic elections in 1994. She worked at 702, Kaya FM, Metro FM and SAFM between 1996 and 2008. Alongside her radio career, she was sharpening her entrepreneurial skills with her business partners, Maria McCloy and Dzino at their groundbreaking multimedia company, Black Rage Productions.

Apr 21, 2024

Feb 11, 2024

Palesa Mkhulisi, a South African PR and marketing entrepreneur focused on creating value for clients

Feb 11, 2024

Palesa Mkhulisi is the founder of The Link PR and Marketing Solutions in South Africa, a business focused on helping start-ups to create value, build long-term sustainability, and bring positive changes to their communities through tailored marketing and PR solutions. She is a 24-year-old entrepreneur with a passion for social development and a commitment to solving real-world problems. Raised in Soweto a township in Johannesburg she developed an early appreciation for the power of community and the impact that businesses can have on society. Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, Palesa actively participates in various community outreach programs and advising young business leaders. She is dedicated to fostering the next generation of socially aware entrepreneurs.

Feb 11, 2024

Oct 22, 2023

Masanda Peter, a South African magazine publisher shining a spotlight on the stories of mineworkers

Oct 22, 2023

Masanda Peter is a qualified, seasoned Marketing, Media and Communications Professional and a serial entrepreneur in South Africa who has launched a magazine publishing venture, Mineworker Magazine, focusing on sharing the untold stories of mineworkers. For a long time, mineworkers have not had their side of the story covered and through this magazine their stories will be shared. Masanda has a journalism background having embarked on her Journalism studies and completed her International Diploma in Journalism.

Oct 22, 2023

Oct 8, 2023

Betty David, a Kenyan media entrepreneur telling remarkable stories through video production

Oct 8, 2023

Spot Africa Media, a production house founded by media entrepreneur, Betty David, based in Nairobi-Kenya and a business which has been in operation since 2016. This highly reputable video production company has a track record and a great desire to tell remarkable stories. Betty and her team pride themselves in every shot, edit, and decision that is executed with a lot of care. Founder Betty David’s own journey is exemplified by her unyielding passion to serve humanity and to impact lives positively.

Oct 8, 2023

Sep 24, 2023

Gemiene Mueni, a Kenyan PR specialist helping brands tell their stories

Sep 24, 2023

Gemiene Mueni, a Kenyan PR communication consultant and the founder of Click'd Age Consultancy (CAC_PR), is passionate about helping remarkable brands tell their stories. As a consultant, she helps brands create great content that people choose to talk about. Her dedication to her work is evident in the outstanding results she has consistently achieved for her clients. CAC_PR is very dear to her heart for it's not only helping remarkable brands tell their stories, but it's the connection she has with her clients. They Click!

Sep 24, 2023

Jul 2, 2023

Nomsa Mdhluli, a South African communications specialist with a talent for storytelling

Jul 2, 2023

Nomsa Mdhluli is the founder of Tishala Communications in South Africa, a boutique Digital Marketing and Public Relations agency. She is an award-winning broadcaster who has a knack for storytelling, and translated this skill into Public Relations through her business. In 2018, Nomsa established Tishala Communications to serve corporate clients who deserved to have their ground-breaking business ideas, innovations and successes brought to public and business attention.

Jul 2, 2023

Mar 26, 2023

Camille Storm, a dynamic Kenyan music entrepreneur elevating African musical talent to new heights

Mar 26, 2023

Angela "Camille Storm" Kariuki is a dynamic music executive with a passion for East African talent and the founder of CNC Distro and Camille and Company Limited. Her career started with the founding of "The Camille Way" music blog and grew to include Camille & Co., a boutique talent and PR agency that represents ground-breaking artists such as Blaqbonez and Lojay. Camille's latest venture, C&C Distro, is a digital music distribution and market platform for emerging artists. She has gained recognition from publications such as The Fader and Apple Music, and became an official juror at the AFRIMA Awards in 2022, solidifying her status as a leading force in the music industry, and elevating African music to new heights.

Mar 26, 2023

Nelly Paulser, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur building a client centric graphic design business

Mar 26, 2023

Nelly Paulser is an Events Branding Designer and the co-founder of a graphic design, printing, branding and events business in Zimbabwe called Graphic House Zim. She is an Alumni of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, a Geneza School of Design Scholar, a recipient of a Tony Elumelu Foundation grant, one of the 503 African Women Entrepreneur Finalists selected by Women In Africa for training and mentorship, and now a UPG Biashara Candidate - Class of 2023. She is also a winner of the 100 Voices For Our Planet Award and was nominated for Women Changing the World Awards presented by Dr Tererai Trent. She is also an ImpactHer Ambassador for Zimbabwe. Above all this she is a wife and a mother to three beautiful children.

Mar 26, 2023

Jan 29, 2023

Dirce Vicente, a Mozambican agripreneur uses the power of publishing to inspire others in agriculture

Jan 29, 2023

Fly Eagles LDA is a digital magazine publishing venture, founded by experienced agripreneur, Dirce Vicente in Mozambique. Passionate about Agriculture, she has already developed many solutions to improve the agricultural ecosystem in Mozambique. Dirce is the founder of Dfruit, Agri impact, and is currently letting her passion emerge with the launch of an agribusiness magazine called Fly Eagles Agribusiness. The magazine aims to provide the reader with unique experiences, inspiring them to reach their purpose and unlock their maximum potential. It shares stories of overcoming and persistence in Agriculture from people who are making it happen, and excelling in this field.

Jan 29, 2023

Dec 18, 2022

Monica Kabui, a Kenyan marketing expert helping businesses to build their brands

Dec 18, 2022

Monica Kabui is the founder and managing director of TreeAgama in Kenya. She is a marketing specialist and an expert in brand building and training. Her business focuses on using marketing as a tool to empower businesses to be the best version of themselves and as a tool to solve business challenges innovatively. TreeAgama is homegrown in Kenya and has been in operation since it launched in 2013 and now has 5 employees. Monica's experience spans 12 years working in three different advertising and marketing agencies and her last stint was design department head leading experiential marketing agencies in the country. TreeAgama is passionate about building brands.

Dec 18, 2022

Dec 4, 2022

Nokuphila Dlamini, a graphic design specialist in Eswatini helping SMEs to market their brands

Dec 4, 2022

Nokuphila Dlamini is the founder of Visibility Graphics in Eswatini, an e-commerce business that offers graphic design services to Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. She currently lives in Mankayane, Eswatini and holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts of Journalism and Mass Communication, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. She also has a Certificate in Digital Marketing.

Dec 4, 2022

May 29, 2022

Elohor Oderowho, a Nigerian digital magazine creator promoting women-empowered lifestyles

May 29, 2022

Elohor Oderowho is the Founder and Chief Editor of Elowell Max which was established in 2020. Her initial pursuit was to promote healthy living and wellness among African Women. This passion started when she noticed that African women needed a platform solely dedicated to their growth in all aspects. Thus, she vowed to create a women's site like no other, giving every African woman something to feed on. Being a passionate writer, she begun creating awareness for African women on how to go about vital aspects of life including relationships, femininity, fashion and beauty on her website www.elowellmaxpost.com.

May 29, 2022

May 8, 2022

Gugu Mpungose, a South Africa entrepreneur with a passion for media and storytelling that inspires

May 8, 2022

There is nothing quite as powerful as women who share their experiences and insights through storytelling in order to inspire others. Gugu Mpungose, founder of Black Tie Media and Communications, is creating platforms through publishing, content creation and event experiences to tell stories and share information that can help and inspire others.

May 8, 2022

Apr 10, 2022

Erica Paiva, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a strong personal media brand

Apr 10, 2022

Erica Paiva is a creative woman entrepreneur from Mozambique who decided to use her own unique skills as a tv host, writer, actress, master of ceremony, and event planner to create a niche, personal brand in the marketplace. Erica’s brand has been in the market for 7 years, but she has been working for a total of 15 years.

Apr 10, 2022

Feb 13, 2022

Sofia Maquile, an entrepreneur and digital influencer in Mozambique building an AV production company

Feb 13, 2022

Sofia Maquile is the founder and CEO of Smaqs in Mozambique. She is a young entrepreneur and Digital Influencer. Sofia's business is focused on making high quality digital pictures and videos for the international and pan-African market. She founded the business in 2017 and now employs and trains over 10 interns, 70% of them being from local communities. She has over 10 years of social media experience as a manager and influencer. Sofia strives for growth and motivates the young people to follow her path.

Feb 13, 2022

Feb 6, 2022

Claudia Folgore-McLellan, a South African creative entrepreneur helping brands connect with audiences

Feb 6, 2022

Visual 8 Creative, founded by Claudia Folgore-McLellan, is a graphic design and digital media studio based in Johannesburg South Africa. The business helps companies, entrepreneurs, as well as established brands, to communicate effectively with their respective target audience. We offer a thorough understanding of branding, print media creative following through into digital media.

Feb 6, 2022

Dec 5, 2021

Susan Nel, an entrepreneur in Namibia who turned her passion for photography into a successful business

Dec 5, 2021

There is nothing quite as powerful as a great photographic image that captures life and work’s key moments, and in Namibia, Susan Nel and the photography business that carries her name, is doing just that. Whether it’s recording on camera a beautiful wedding, or creating a powerful image of a product that can spearhead a marketing campaign, Susan knows just how to get the right shot for the occasion.

Dec 5, 2021

Nov 28, 2021

Andrea Massamba, a Mozambican social media expert helping clients with their digital communication

Nov 28, 2021

Andrea Massamba is a founder of AM Support - Marketing and Publicity Agency in Mozambique, a business she started in June 2020, when she found an opportunity during Covid. She understood that some organizations had to close because of Covid, so she decided to start her business to help the organizations continue to be active on social media, supporting them with their communication, scheduling posts, producing content etc. And now she's growing step by step.

Nov 28, 2021

Oct 24, 2021

Kathy Mann, a South African stress specialist creating positive change in people’s lives

Oct 24, 2021

If the past 18 months has taught us anything, it’s the need to better cope with stress, and in South Africa, a real specialist in this field is Kathy Mann. Her consulting business offers help and advice to all those who are finding it difficult to cope with stress and looking for a better way of managing it.

Oct 24, 2021

Oct 10, 2021

Jolene Roelofse, a South African influencer marketing expert managing campaigns for businesses and brands

Oct 10, 2021

As a marketer for over 18 years, and after running her marketing and communications company since 2010, Jolene Roelofse, realized that there is a need for a focus on influencer marketing, that can be measured, outside of only the number of followers. Influencers who can be used for their reach and engagement with their audiences, to relay information about brand products and services. This led to the start of Fluence Africa.

Oct 10, 2021

Sep 26, 2021

Leila Kigha, a Cameroonian entrepreneur on a mission to help women build legacy brands

Sep 26, 2021

Leila Kigha is the founder and ceo of the KARA Group of Companies in Cameroon. She is a seasoned journalist turned entrepreneur on a mission to help women embrace their authentic selves so that they can show up and impact the world confidently. The Kara Group of Companies is an expression of her love and passion for helping women build legacy brands, the African print and shoes. The brand was born five years ago and is steadily growing and looks forward to employing and empowering more women from the local communities. She has over 15 years’ experience as a broadcast journalist, PR person and event organizer.

Sep 26, 2021

May 2, 2021

Sarah Motshwane Sebetola, a South African corporate branding solutions specialist

May 2, 2021

Every business and organisation needs to get its brand message across to its customers and audiences, and to ensure it has that all important visibility in the marketplace. In South Africa, Tshepiso Branding Solutions, cofounded by Sarah Motshwane Sebetola, is a company bringing both brand expertise and solutions to suit all needs.

May 2, 2021

Feb 7, 2021

Susan Nel, an entrepreneur building a creative business that harnesses her passion for photography

Feb 7, 2021

There is a well known saying that a picture says a thousand words, and in Namibia, entrepreneur Susan Nel, founder of Susan Nel Photography is helping her clients to tell their own unique stories through powerful images.

Feb 7, 2021

Jan 24, 2021

Liz Creates, a South African creative entrepreneur on a mission to help clients find their brand voice

Jan 24, 2021

Every business wants to stand out in the crowd, to reach potential customers with their product and service offerings, and to make their brands resonate in the marketplace. In South Africa, that’s where Ostara Studio, founded by Liz Creates, comes to the rescue, bringing a wealth of specialist expertise in strategic brand communications and design.

Jan 24, 2021

Aug 30, 2020

Ntokozo Mbuli, a South African entrepreneur developing television and film content with a purpose

Aug 30, 2020

The media can be a powerful force for good and positive change, and television programmes and films are particularly impactful in educating, informing and entertaining people. In South Africa, Ntokozo Mbuli, the creative force behind television and film production company, Sugar Bean Pictures, is on a mission to develop powerful content with a purpose beyond just entertainment.

Aug 30, 2020

Aug 13, 2020

Lethumusa Kulube, a South African entrepreneur driving change through digital communication

Aug 13, 2020

These days, digital communication has become the most powerful tool for any business to reach those all important customers and markets. But for many non-profit organisations, the process of building a digital communication strategy and tools can be overwhelming. In South Africa, entrepreneur Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact, has the specialist solution and approach that is needed.

Aug 13, 2020

Mar 24, 2019

Zoe Dlamini-Sas, an entrepreneur from eSwatini now sharing knowledge of African culture in the Netherlands

Mar 24, 2019

In such a global economic environment with countries that are increasingly multi-cultural, it is important to learn more about the different cultures that create such dynamic cities and communities. For entrepreneur Zoe Dlamini-Sas, her inspiration for starting her business, Zoe Zulu Productions, came from her passion for African culture and teaching others in Europe about the traditions that make Africa so unique.

Mar 24, 2019

Why LoA loves Africa's Women in the World of Media, PR and Communications ….