by Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa
The challenge of accessing much-needed investment, European markets, technical knowledge and strategic partnerships by Africa’s high-growth potential women entrepreneurs was a key focus for discussion at Start-Up Night Africa in The Hague on 11 July 2023. With first hand knowledge of the challenge, Lionesses of Africa, an impact driven social impact organization with over 1.7 million women entrepreneurs across the African continent, set-up the Start-Up Night Africa event in The Hague with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Netherlands and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO).
The Start-Up Night Africa event in The Hague provided a powerful platform to showcase ten investment ready women-owned businesses from across the African continent and representing a range of industry sectors. The aim was to connect them to investment and new market opportunities in The Netherlands. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, delivered the opening remarks at the event, saying: “These are exciting times for private sector development in Africa. And especially for female entrepreneurs. We support their work passionately. We believe good relationships with African partners are key. This is a cornerstone of our Africa-strategy, which affirms our commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs in Africa. Empowering these women is vital in unlocking the continent’s full potential, now and in the future.”
A packed audience of potential investors, corporate buyers, government representatives, and entrepreneur eco-system representatives gathered to listen to the pitches from 10 investment-ready businesses from the Lionesses of Africa community. These included five agribusinesses: Savanna Premium Chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer; GBRI Business Solutions (Eatfresh), a growing agribusiness (Tanzania); Oryx Desert Salt, a sustainable, natural desert salt business (South Africa); Pure & Just Food, a climate-smart agribusiness specializing in dried fruit products (Ghana); and Exotic EPZ, a macadamia nut agribusiness (Kenya). Representing other growth sectors on the continent were five additional women-owned businesses looking for both investment and access to European markets and product distribution networks. These included: Taeillo, an e-commerce furniture and lifestyle business (Nigeria); Wonderbag, a sustainable energy cooking solution (South Africa); Premier Credit, a Pan African Challenger bank for SMEs (Zambia); Habeshaview, an advanced technology/multimedia platform streaming accessible, affordable content with Amharic, English, French and Arabic subtitles (Ethiopia); and Carmen Stevens Wines, an award-winning wine producer (South Africa).
Speaking about the rationale for launching Start-Up Night Africa in The Hague, Lionesses of Africa founder & ceo, Melanie Hawken, said:
“Our mission at Lionesses of Africa here in The Netherlands is to help women entrepreneurs to fulfill their potential by partnering on impact-driven programmes and initiatives that will unlock inclusive prosperity, investment and growth in Africa. Start-Up Night Africa is a powerful example of this approach. At the same time, it provides a unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs in The Netherlands to connect with their counterparts in Africa for potential collaboration and business.”
The Start-Up Night Africa event also introduced five inspirational and growth-potential young women entrepreneurs pitching their businesses virtually from Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan and DRC. They were part of the Orange Corners initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that supports young entrepreneurs across Africa, the Middle East and Asia and focuses on ‘Turning smart ideas into sustainable businesses’. Entrepreneurs featured included: Emi-Beth Quantson, founder of Kawa Moka Coffee Roasters in Ghana; Goretti Kat, founder of Minzoto Club in DRC; Mariam Lawani, founder of Greenhill Recyling in Nigeria; Safia Shatta, founder of Mango Gate in Sudan; and Queen Uwabuofu, founder of CloveKids International in Nigeria. Each of these exciting young women entrepreneurs are now being featured on Lionesses of Africa’s digital platforms across the continent, providing greater exposure and connectivity to their fellow women business builders.
The Start-Up Night Africa event also provided the platform for the official launch of Lionesses of Africa in The Netherlands, which is on a mission to catalyze partnerships between government, academia, and the private sectors to build and deliver impactful, sustainable and scalable solutions that empower Africa’s women entrepreneurs. Lionesses of Africa aims to contribute and add value to social impact innovation in The Netherlands for the benefit of women entrepreneurs on the African continent.
For more information about Lionesses of Africa and its Start-Up Night Africa events, send an email to: events@lionessesofafrica.com