Spotlight on Tanzania: Meet 16 women entrepreneurs who are building unique businesses and brands

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

In the latest in our series of Spotlight features on individual African countries where women entrepreneurs are making their mark with their businesses and brands, we shine a spotlight on Tanzania. From high-impact agribusinesses that are creating much-needed jobs, to tech businesses that are innovating and educating, to serial entrepreneurs building multi-faceted business empires across diverse sectors, Tanzania is a country with a wide variety of growth-focused women-owned businesses that are well worth a visit. Meet 16 women entrepreneurs in our Lionesses of Africa community who are building growth businesses and brands that are putting Tanzania on the entrepreneur map.

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

September 22, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sheillah Siima, creative head and founder, Sheillah Publications (Tanzania)

Startup Story

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.

Hellen Dausen, a Tanzanian natural skincare brand-builder

September 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Hellen Dausen is the founder and owner of Nuya's Essence based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and business leader. Hellen's skincare business, which was founded in 2013 and today employs 12 people, aims to help women find readily available skincare products for daily use to enhance healthy living, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Hellen was listed by Forbes Africa 30 under 30 in 2016 as the most promising entrepreneur to watch in Africa. Her resilience, hard work, and determination have brought Nuya's Essence local and international recognition. Hellen holds a bachelor's Degree from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. She lives with her husband and daughter in Dar es Salaam.

Jennifer Shigoli, a Tanzanian educator and impact-maker

March 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Arizona Vocational Training Centre & Elea Products, a business transforming lives through training and skills development in Tanzania

Jennifer Shigoli is a Lawyer by profession and also the ceo and founder of Arizona Vocational Training College and Elea Reusable Pads in Tanzania, a business she launched in 2012 and which today employs 23 people. Jennifer is a visionary educator and entrepreneur who is passionate about transformation and economic empowerment. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey 12 years ago and through her work she has touched thousands of lives. She believes to bring about change she has to be the change she wants to see; she has to be the solution.

Hadija Jabiri, an agripreneur empowering smallholder farmers in Tanzania

September 3, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Hadija Jabiri, founder & MD of GBRI Business Solutions (Tanzania)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

GBRI Business Solutions, on a mission to be a leading horticultural company in Tanzania.

Hadija Jabiri is the founder and MD of GBRI Business Solutions in Tanzania. She is an entrepreneur committed to making agricultural production a sustainable and profitable business through empowering smallholder farmers. Hadija is an IVLP alumnae and holder of multiple awards and nominations for her work and business which is making a real difference in people’s lives.

Neema Gerald, a Tanzanian entrepreneur building a full-service event and project management company

May 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Neema Gerald, founder and ceo, Penuel's Investment Ltd (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Neema Gerald is the founder and ceo of Penuel's Investment Ltd in Tanzania, a seven-year-old investment firm that provides a variety of services such as event and project management, as well as office equipment supplies. She is the co-founder of LN Extreme Beauty Ltd which has deep experience in the beauty and personal care industry, partnering with companies across the entire value chain to help their clients achieve their strategic goals. Her passion is to empower young ladies to know their identity and to unlock their potential, so as to be proud of themselves and have an impact in their society.

Diana Mbogo, an award-winning Tanzanian renewable energy entrepreneur

February 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited, a Tanzanian renewable energy company specializing in solar and wind energy technologies

Diana Mbogo, 30, is a mother of two beautiful children and the founder/ managing director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd, a fast-growing renewable energy company in Tanzania that specializes in discovering untapped markets in different industries and sectors. The company then develops customized innovative business solutions by understanding the challenges, exploring solutions alongside customers/beneficiaries, and taking action in the best way to craft sustainable energy solutions. Founded in 2016 while still in her final academic year pursuing a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering, she managed to grow the company from ideation stage to a fast-growing and award-winning renewable energy company in Africa.

Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, a Tanzanian serial entrepreneur with a big vision

September 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

KOM Group, on a mission to be Tanzania’s leading local manufacturing and supplier company for industrial and agro-processing products

Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and an education and business consultant in Tanzania. She serves as the ceo of KOM Group of companies and is also the Director of KOM Food Products. The business started in 2002 and today employs 300 people. Currently, KOM Group has investments in oil processing, cotton ginning, agriculture, steel, plastic and pipe manufacturing, food, and beverages. She has expertise in business development, business management, consulting, business strategy, supply chain management, food processing, small and medium enterprises, project management, human resource management, negotiation, analytical skills, Microsoft office, Accounting, Finance and Public Speaking.

Theddy Ladislaus, an impact driven business builder in Tanzania

June 19, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Untold Global Limited, a pan-African group with interests in Healthcare, Agriculture, ICT and Strategic Communication.

Ms. Theddy Ladislaus is the Founder and Managing partner of Untold Global Ltd, a pan-African group of companies with interests in Healthcare, Agriculture, ICT and Strategic Communication. She is synonymous for having devised high impact business & governance strategies aimed at solving socio-economic issues in a number of markets and communities. She is a leader with a long track record which goes back to her teenage years where she served as the youngest member of the parliament in 2014 under the 4th President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Her passion for policy and governance have earned her a place on the global stage where she have participated in the formation and development of governance strategies in the youth sector.

Chikondi Agatha Michongwe, a passionate lifestyle entrepreneur raising awareness of the benefits of veganism

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Chikondi Michongwe, co-founder, Serene Vegan Co. (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Chikondi Michongwe is the co-founder of Serene Vegan Co. in Tanzania. She is a passionate plant-based lifestyle entrepreneur who believes in the wellness of both the mind and body. Chikondi's start-up aims to raise awareness of the goodness and benefits of a plant-based diet and to do away with the stereotype that a vegan diet is bland and unexciting. She has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience and has gotten her hand in many business ventures over the years.

Zena Akuwa, a Tanzanian entrepreneur empowering people with disabilities through culinary skills

December 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Parachefs Tanzania is the brainchild of entrepreneur Zena Akuwa, an impact-driven business that creates training and career opportunities for people who want to learn how to cook.

Lorna Mashiba, an entrepreneur with a vision to become Tanzania’s leading art gallery

November 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lorna Mashiba, founder, Rangi Gallery (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Lorna Mashiba is the founder of Rangi Gallery in Tanzania, a virtual platform that connects African artists to Intercontinental art enthusiasts. As the founder of Rangi Gallery, she aspires to grow, empower and transform local talent beyond its borders.

Fauzia Malik, a fitness enthusiast building a high quality activewear brand in Tanzania

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fauzia Malik, founder, Pure Fitness Activewear (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Fauzia Malik is the Managing Director of Cool Blue Pure Drinking Water, Tembo Tiles Limited, and the recently launched Pure Fitness Activewear. Despite having two companies to run, Fauzia has gone ahead and launched a new company selling active wear. She has successfully implemented policies, strategic plans and financial controls which allow her to work as a visionary leader for the businesses. Fauzia believes in learning and is constantly on the lookout for learning opportunities. In 2014, she joined Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) which has been a stepping stone to accessing a wealth of knowledge from the global community of entrepreneurs. Away from office, Fauzia is a mother of three children and a fitness enthusiast who strives to promote a workout culture among women for improved physical, and mental wellbeing.

Hadija Jabiri, a Tanzanian agripreneur empowering smallholder farmers

August 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Hadija Jabiri is the founder and MD of GBRI Business Solutions in Tanzania. She is a farmer committed to making agricultural production a sustainable and profitable business through empowering smallholder farmers. Hadija is an IVLP alumnae and holder of multiple awards and nominations for her work and business which is making a real difference in people’s lives.

Sujata Jaffer, a strategic, client-focused leader in professional services

August 8, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Nexia SJ Tanzania, a leading Audit, Accountancy, Tax and Assurance consulting business

The award-winning Sujata Jaffer is highly respected by industry peers and colleagues for her intelligence, strength, passion, philanthropy, work ethics and leadership qualities. Founder and Managing Partner of Nexia SJ Tanzania, Sujata brings more than 20 years’ experience in Accounting, Audit and Tax consulting.

Lioness Launch / New e-verification platform poised to revolutionize farm input certification in Tanzania

August 8, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Quincewood Group Limited is a technology company founded by entrepreneur Fatma Fernandes in Tanzania. The business is focused on the agricultural sector, developing innovations that aim to improve the livelihoods of farmers and even the playing field across the journey from farmer to table. The products developed are done with sustainability in mind. It’s latest innovation, eHakiki, is positively impacting thousands of lives in Tanzania's largest economic sector, agriculture. Its main aim is to ensure that smallholder farmer's incomes are protected.

Lilian Makoi, an entrepreneur in Tanzania passionate about improving lives through technology

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lilian Makoi, Co-Founder & CEO, MipangoApp (Tanzania)

Startup Story

Lilian Makoi is a Serial Entrepreneur who is passionate about technology and the opportunities it has in improving the lives of especially the mass population in Africa. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of MipangoApp, the Founder of Jamii Africa, and the Co-Founder of Stripesnsigns & FroKid Technologies. Lilian has received multiple local and international awards for being highly innovative and creating solutions with regional impact. Lilian was named Most Innovative Woman in Technology by The World Economic Forum 2016 amongst other accolades. She has a Master’s in International Business.

Faraja Nyalandu, a Tanzanian social entrepreneur passionate about education

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Shule Direct, developing cutting edge educational programs to empower youth and children

Born and raised in Tanzania, Faraja Nyalandu, founder of Shule Direct, is a resourceful social entrepreneur passionate about developing cutting edge social and educational programs that empower youth and children. What inspires her the most is working collaboratively in social development and educational industry to develop and deliver innovative resources and solutions that prepare children and youth for a sustainable future. With over 15 years’ experience in engaging young people, she has dedicated her professional career and personal life to empowering them to achieve their full potential.

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