Refilwe Sebothoma, a visionary entrepreneur combating energy poverty by making LPG accessible in marginalised communities

August 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder, Hakem Energies (South Africa)

Startup Story

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of Hakem Energies in South Africa, continues to grow as a visionary entrepreneur with proven business savvy and qualities. Harnessing her business acumen, she founded her businesses in monopolized industries and established them as high-growth start-ups which are highly recognized and are now medium and large businesses. Her purpose is about impacting and empowering the lives of ordinary people through her work because she believes that when individuals are empowered and self-sufficient, they can go back to their communities and replicate that impact. She loves to spend time mentoring, coaching, and sharing her journey with upcoming entrepreneurs as part of her paying it forward. The business has created jobs for 9 local people.

Absa to extend energy grants to SMEs amid crises

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ronnie Mbatsane, Managing Executive, SME Business, Absa Relationship Banking

Struggling businesses will soon be able to apply for their share of the R50 million in grants to keep their businesses running. In a move aimed at supporting and growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Absa will be providing up to R50 million in energy subsidy under its Green Asset Finance programme for qualifying SMEs.

Mona Al Adawy, a pioneer of energy data management in Egypt

February 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

GeoEnergy Petroleum Services, a business providing data management and digitalization for the exploration data assets of Egypt’s petroleum companies

Mona is the founding owner and ceo of GeoEnergy, a company specializing in providing data management services and digitalization solutions for the exploration data assets of the petroleum companies. Bootstrapping it from a $1,000 investment, it is now a firm that generates $1M+ in revenue, with over 65 clients, 25+ employees, and 40+ project-based consultants. Mona is IFC Nominee Director & Advisory Committee Member. In 2020, she acquired her MBA in Strategic Management - School of Business and Society, from South Wales University in the UK. She is a certified corporate director from IFC, World Bank, and was awarded a certificate in women’s entrepreneurship from Cornell University in the USA. She has a Certificate in Applied Management from Global Enterprise Center, Babson College in the USA, and graduated from the Geology/Chemistry Departments, Faculty of Science in Cairo University, 2002.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.