Mercia Bie, a Mozambican entrepreneur on a mission to bring natural flavours to her customers’ cuisines

December 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mercia Bie, founder, Sabor Caseiro 2A (Mozambique)

Mercia Bie, founder of Sabor Caseiro 2A in Mozambique is building an agri-processing business where each seasoning tells a story and each dish is an experience. Her mission is to bring natural flavor and authenticity to customers' tables, whether at home or at special events. Mercia’s vision is to create a line of seasonings that not only enhance the flavor of dishes, but also make a nutritional contribution to our lives. The company’s brand values focus on ethics and transparency, appreciation and involvement in human capital, respect and trust in customers.

Irina Samade, a floral design entrepreneur creating beautiful flower arrangements and gifts for every occasion

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Irina Samade, founder and floral designer, Frangipani Flores (Mozambique)

Irina Samade is the founder and floral designer at Frangipani Flores in Mozambique. She has been working with Floral Art for 15 years having taken a number of specialist floral arrangement courses in Portugal, Brazil, USA and Mozambique. Her passion for flowers started very early with her mother growing violets in their garden. Then, unconsciously, she started toying with making floral arrangements for family and friends' birthdays, but at that time was very far from thinking about being a florist or opening a floristry business. However, all that changed with the launch of her floral design business, Frangipani Flores in 2014. Today, she remains curious in this specialist area of floral design and is constantly inspired by the work of renowned florists around the world.

Isabel Messias Tonela, a young Mozambican entrepreneur building a food processing business turning tubers into flour and chips

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Isabel Messias Tonela, founder, SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA (Mozambique)

Isabel Messias Tonela is a young Mozambican entrepreneur and the founder of SBEL & Farinhas, SU, LDA, a company focused on processing tubers for the production of flour and Chips. The company was founded in 2024 and is in its embryonic phase after Isabel won the Business Plan Competition implemented by (SEJE), through INJ and with the support of the World Bank. She is also a final year student on the Aquatic and Coastal Marine Biology course at Eduardo Mondlane University.

Sinna Duarte, a Mozambican creative entrepreneur building a Capulana inspired jewellery and handbag brand

November 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sinna Duarta, founder, Handmade Moz (Mozambique)

Handmade Moz is a Mozambican accessory brand founded by creative entrepreneur Sinna Duarta, that focuses on the design, manufacture and marketing of a unique range of handmade jewellery and handbags. She uses Capulana as the fabric source of inspiration for many of her unique pieces, something that resonates with her local customers.

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, a Mozambican agribusiness entrepreneur focused on sustainable fish farming to create jobs

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, founder, Indico Fish Farm. EI (Mozambique)

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie is the founder of Indico Fish Farm. EI in Mozambique, where she is currently setting up her Nile Tilapia Production and Processing Unit. She has a degree in Marine Biology from Eduardo Mondlane University and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Population and Development. Prior to starting her business, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Natural History Museum in the area of marine and aquatic animal collections and also as a Zootechnician at Machado Knowhow in the area of animal production. Her business plan, which focused on Nile Tilapia Production and Processing, was the winner of the Agora Emprega 2023 Program at the national level in Maputo Province.

Yolanda Isabel Langa, a Mozambican eco-preneur innovating with plantable seed paper

September 29, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Yolanda Isabel Langa, founder, Yo-Ecológico (Mozambique)

Born and raised in Maputo, Mozambique, Yolanda Isabel Langa is the founder of Yo-Ecológico, an eco-business that innovates with “seed paper,” a recycled product that includes seeds from flowers, spices, and vegetables. Her company offers eco-friendly products such as gifts and invitations, and is expanding with personalized planners, sustainable keychains made from seed paper with rings, and chains made from recycled plastic bottles. Yolanda combines her entrepreneurial experience with a passion for sustainability to make a meaningful difference in the world. Yolanda is about to graduate from Eduardo Mondlane University with a degree in Public Administration. In addition to her academic career, Yolanda is also an active volunteer at an NGO focused on education, health, and the environment.

Ana Alecia Lyman, a sustainable natural beauty brand-builder in Mozambique

September 22, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia, a natural skin and hair care business celebrating Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species.

Ana Alecia Lyman, born in California and residing in Mozambique since 2005, has more than 15 years of experience as a businesswoman and consultant in the natural products sector. She is the founder and director of Bio Óleos de Miombo, a natural skin and hair care products company, providing high-quality products that highlight Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species to the national market. As a member of PhytoTrade Africa, the Natural Products Business Association of Southern Africa, she served as Vice President from 2015 to 2018, supporting the implementation of advocacy programs and initiatives in Mozambique and the region. Graduated in Public Policy from Brown University (USA), she currently works with the National Directorate of the Environment as a consultant, supporting the review of Decree 19/2007, the Regulation on Access and Sharing of Benefits derived from the use of Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge, in collaboration with a multi-sectoral technical team.

Jusaina Violanda, a Mozambican entrepreneur helping people green their homes and gardens

September 15, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Jusaina Violanda, founder, Nandzika Garden Center (Mozambique)

Jusaina Violanda is the founder of Nandzika Garden Center in Mozambique, a business dedicated to bringing nature closer to people’s lives through beautiful plants, green decor, and professional landscaping. She uses the power of plants at her garden center to help her customers create beautiful personal spaces and environments that enhance lives and fulfill the emotional need to be closer to nature.

Meet 23 Mozambican Women Green Business Builders Making A Positive Impact on the Environment

September 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Regular attendees at Lionesses of Africa’s Green Lioness Lean In events in Mozambique will know that as an impact-driven organisation we are committed to showcasing women eco-preneurs who are creating sustainable businesses, and importantly, much needed green jobs too. Each one is making their mark in their sector and community. But what they share in common is a passion for the eco-focused businesses they are creating, the desire to innovate in order to find solutions to real environmental challenges, and the motivation to create opportunities and jobs for local people. These Lionesses of Africa are not just showcasing their own unique green products and services to the world, but they are also making a real difference to their communities and their country as a whole.

Marta Uetela, a Mozambican eco-innovator constructing bicycles from marine plastic waste

September 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Marta Uetela, founder, Baaike (Mozambique)

Marta Uetela is the founder of Baaike in Mozambique, a studio dedicated to designing and constructing bicycles from plastic waste collected from the ocean, Marta is on a mission to offer alternatives to conventional transportation while raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic pollution in our oceans. She is a product design engineer and a solutions-oriented entrepreneur with a deep passion for product design and alternative manufacturing systems. She believes in the potential of Generation Z and the transformative power of design and engineering to rethink and reshape a more sustainable world.

Afifah Zualo, a Mozambican artisan entrepreneur creating ethnic contemporary jewellery celebrating beadwork

August 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Afifah Zualo, founder, M'Kono (Mozambique)

Afifah Zualo is an artisan (multi-artist) entrepreneur and the founder of M'Kono in Mozambique. She trained in Railway Engineering, but today sees the design of ethnic-contemporary jewellery as a way of codifying feelings and expressing Mozambican identity. Her Mozambican start-up seeks to honour cultural traditions while innovating in design and technique. A Leader and Social Innovator, Afifah employs a single employee, but her startup generates income for six other participants in her community who participate in the business passively. She believes in a world in which all women are respected and have justice for their efforts returned and aspires to conquer the world with her work.

Benedita Macuácua, a Mozambican circular economy business builder creating sustainable products using crochet

August 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Benedita Macuácua, founder, Exclusive Crochet (Mozambique)

Exclusive Crochet is a crafts-based start-up founded by Benedita Macuácua in Mozambique. An entrepreneur and graphic designer, her company specializes in creating sustainable products using recycled materials such as knitted yarn, fabric scraps, and recycled soles. The company was inspired by the need to combat the accumulation of rubbish in Maputo, transforming solid waste into durable, quality crochet pieces. Benedita’s focus with her business is on the circular economy and promoting conscious consumption, offering a variety of products such as flip-flops, bags, beach cover-ups, and other items, each carrying a unique story and an artistic design that impresses with its beauty and positive environmental impact.

Gisela Monteiro, a Mozambican natural cosmetics and artisanal perfume brand builder

August 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Gisela Leonor Monteiro, founder, Sublime Produtos Cosmeticos Naturais (Mozambique)

Gisela Leonor Monteiro is the founder of Sublime Produtos Cosmeticos Naturais in Mozambique, a business dedicated to the production of 100% natural cosmetics and artisanal perfumes. Having completed a hotel and tourism course as a student, she embarked on her entrepreneurship journey when she was 26 years old after taking cooking courses, cooking for events, and providing meals to companies close to her area of residence. She worked in several businesses, including catering, event promotion, culinary training, and clothing sales, always with the dream of becoming a businesswoman. Her entrepreneurial journey kickstarted after participating in business management and financial education courses, undertaking transformational training at IDEIALAB, the FEMTECH training program, FÓRMULA MILIONÁRIA and OFFICINA DE NEGÓCIOS with coach Arcelio Tivane.

Márcia Nangy O’Connell, a Mozambican entrepreneur reimagining traditional design

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

DATHONGA, a sustainable design business merging traditional techniques with contemporary artistic sensibilities in Mozambique

Márcia Nangy O’Connell, or Marcita as she is affectionately known, is the founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has established herself in the world of Mozambican design. Dathonga has participated in national and international fairs, showcasing the beauty of Mozambican crafts to audiences in South Africa, USA, Denmark, Spain, Germany and, recently, at South African Fashion Week. Márcia’s commitment goes beyond her own brand. In 2010, she created Galeria Dathonga in Inhambane, providing a platform for other Mozambican and African artists to showcase their work.

Sandra Kourouma, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning a passion for sporting events into a business

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Kourouma, founder, Millkappas Multiservices & "SK Escolinha de Futebol e Futsal Project" (Mozambique)

Sandra Kourouma is the founder of Millkappas Multiservices and the "SK Escolinha de Futebol e Futsal Project" in Mozambique. She is an experienced entrepreneur and has certificates for trainer courses and trainer instructors. Sandra's business is focused on for society football and futsal for women and young girls and briefly for child girls. She founded the business 4 years ago and employs according to the needs of the event, but few women join the work for this type of event. She has 15 years of certification and experience in football training and more than 10 years in organizing sporting events that she started as a volunteer.

Irina Samade, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur manufacturing accessories using natural resources

July 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Irina Samade, Founder and Designer, Rawá (Mozambique)

Irina Samade is the Founder and Designer of the Rawá brand in Mozambique. She has worked to build this brand for the past 4 years, and in addition to Rawá, she is also the Founder and Floral Designer of Frangipani Flores. She has worked in this area of business for 15 years and is now a 41 year old entrepreneur. Irina is passionate about flowers and the idea of being able to use natural resources in art, consciously using what nature offers and discards.

Arline Ferrão, a Mozambican entrepreneur building a green alternative to disposable bags

June 30, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Arline Ferrão, founder and managing partner, Kasunga (Mozambique)

Arline Ferrão is the founder and managing partner of Kasunga, a 100% Mozambican company and brand, committed to sustainability, offering personalized reusable bags and bags, produced with exceptional care, combining environmentally friendly materials and traditional African fabrics. Well-being and sustainability, in its environmental, social and human components, are at the center of its actions on different fronts. In addition to Kasunga, Arline is a psychologist focused on the area of mental health and well-being at work.

Sabine Lydia Müller, an entrepreneur passionate about regenerative organic agriculture in Mozambique

June 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sabine Lydia Müller, founder, Tchambalakate Comércio e Serviços Soc.Unip., Lda (Mozambique)

Sabine Lydia Müller is the founder of Tchambalakate Comércio e Serviços Soc.Unip., Lda in Mozambique. She is passionate about regenerative organic agriculture, agroforestry, Mozambique, and the decolonization of Africa. Through her self-employed work as consultant in Germany and Mozambique, her involvement in various publications, and in organic certifications, Sabine aims to share knowledge and best practices on how to improve the resilience and sustainability of food systems and ecosystems. She believes in the peaceful coexistence of nature and human beings, and strives to make a positive impact with her work. As a Communications Manager with over 17 years of experience in PR, social media, and brand marketing, Sabine leverages her skills and network to raise awareness and support for her clients’ projects and initiatives.

Nilza Mazive, a Mozambican entrepreneur building a green energy business helping consumers reduce costs

June 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nilza Mazive is the co-founder of Xiphefu Digital Ligth, Lda (Mozambique)

Nilza Mazive is the co-founder of Xiphefu Digital Ligth, Lda, a green energy business developing solutions to help consumers reduce energy costs in Mozambique. The business develops solutions to help consumers reduce energy costs, acting on electrical equipment to avoid wasting electrical current. The business also adds the solar component, offers a range of internal and external lamps, and installs solar systems.

Elisa Marcos Ouana, a Mozambican creative entrepreneur turning upcycling into a design brand

June 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Elisa Marcos Ouana, founder, Ariel EcoArte e Serviços, EI (Mozambique)

Elisa Marcos Ouana is the founder of Mozambican upcycled accessory brand, Ariel EcoArte e Serviços, EI. She is also studying for a degree in Environmental Engineering at Eduardo Mondlane University. The daughter of a tailor and passionate about sewing since childhood, at the age of 13 she started her career as an entrepreneur in the sewing sector. She reused the scraps of fabric and capulana that her father discarded and made items for girls (hair ribbons, bows, cat ties, pencil cases, etc.). At the age of 18, she discovered the world of upcycling and made her first backpack out of recycled jeans. Since then, Elisa has had the opportunity to expand her business and register her company. It’s a journey with a lot of learning and improvement. With her business, she aims to reach many more people of all age groups and be able to generate sources of employment for more women.

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