Kofo Akinkugbe, a Nigerian innovator and technology market leader

September 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Secure ID, Africa’s market leader in smart card technology and digital security.

Kofo Akinkugbe is a Nigerian innovator and technology market leader. This remarkable woman entrepreneur founded a company that today is recognised globally as a market leader in Africa's smart card technology and digital security industry.

Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, a respected and influential security industry player

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Securico Security Services, the Zimbabwean security services company transforming the industry landscape.

Through hard work, determination and focus, Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula has built her company to become the most respected and sought-after player in the security industry in Zimbabwe and internationally. She is the founder and Managing Director of DDNS Security Operations (Pvt) Ltd, the holding company under which SECURICO SECURITY SERVICES fall. Through her leadership, SECURICO now employs over 4 000 people and has become a multiple award-winning organisation. Divine herself has been listed among 100 Most Reputable Africans in 2020 by Reputation Poll International and was also named by Forbes magazine among the Most Influential Women in Africa.

Gércia Sequeira, a leading techpreneur in Mozambique improving businesses and lives

September 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Gércia Sequeira, co-founder of Instituto de Tecnologias, Inovação e Serviços - ITIS (Mozambique)

ITIS, creating local, innovative technology solutions for business and people.

Gércia Sequeira is a leading techpreneur in Mozambique and the CEO and co-founder of Instituto de Tecnologias, Inovação e Serviços - ITIS. As President of the ICT Association in Mozambique (AMPETIC) and Master trainer in business development service providers, as well as a trainer of various associations and single business owners concerning the use of ICT and Management tools, she is an influential tech voice in the country.

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, a new generation mining entrepreneur in Africa

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG)

Tigui Mining Group, a business that represents sustainable mining which empowers communities

Africa’s mining sector is focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the continent. Local communities depend on these natural resources for their futures and this requires new ways of thinking, not to mention a new approach to ensuring diversity in the sector. One woman entrepreneur is leading the way - Tiguidanke Mounir Camara is the founder of the woman-mine owned Tigui Mining Group (TMG) and is carving a new and exciting pathway for women in Africa’s mining sector.

Dana Mroueh, an artisan chocolatier celebrating Côte d’Ivoire’s renowned cocoa beans

August 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco (Côte d’Ivoire)

Meet MonChoco, a proudly Ivorian chocolate brand, reflecting the country’s exceptional terroir.

Côte d’Ivoire is renowned for the quality of its cocoa beans, but up until now, the world has not had the opportunity to widely celebrate those beans in the finest of chocolate forms. But that is rapidly changing as artisan chocolatier Dana Mroueh and her company, MonChoco, are producing a very special raw chocolate brand and range of products that is exciting taste buds in the country.

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, an artisanal dairy-free ice-cream maker serving love through scoops

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, founder of YoCoco (South Africa)

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to make delicious artisanal dairy free ice cream.

For all those people out there who love the idea of gorgeous ice cream, but cannot eat dairy produce, help is at hand. YoCoco, an exciting artisanal dairy free ice cream brand created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, is tantalizing tastebuds in South Africa with fabulous flavour combinations and taste sensations.

Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, changing the narrative of African textiles through design

August 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, co-founders of Karingana Wa Karingana in Mozambique, introduce Capulana to the world.

Mozambique is famous for its Capulana, but one company is taking this unique textile to whole new design levels. Karingana Wa Karingana, co-founded by Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, are building a powerhouse brand that combines traditional design and cultural values presented in a modern context.

Samantha Skyring, a global brand builder inspired by the Kalahari

July 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt (South Africa)

Oryx Desert Salt, bringing a taste of the Kalahari to the world’s kitchens

With the world looking to source more sustainable, ethically produced and renewable sources of foodstuffs, one South African business venture, Oryx Desert Salt, founded by entrepreneur Samantha Skyring, is looking to bring an exceptional source of salt to enrich both the flavour of food and also promote good health.

Thabisa Mjo, a creative entrepreneur telling stories through design

July 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio (South Africa)

Mash. T Design Studio, creating a contemporary craft-driven aesthetic for Africa

Thabisa Mjo is the founder and owner of Mash. T Design Studio in South Africa, a furniture and design studio with the main focus and philosophy to tell uniquely South African stories using the medium of design.

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, a creative force in contemporary floral design

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of The House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Mozambique’s The House of Agness, a pioneer in floral design luxury and modernism

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is the founder of The House Of Agness in Mozambique, a unique contemporary floral design company inspired by minimalism and sustainability. She is passionate about all things minimal and meaningful, and her business reflects that passion. The House of Agness focuses on contemporary floral design thats seeks to become evermore sustainable in the techniques used in its designs, such as foam free arrangements. Another notable characteristic of The House Of Agness brand is that it seeks to empower women through its supply chain, being that 90% of their suppliers are made up of women-owned businesses. With 5 years in the marketplace, this brand has surely become a reference point for Luxury and Modernism, both in Mozambique and beyond its borders.

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, pioneers of artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate (Ghana)

Meet the founders of ’57 Chocolate, Ghana’s luxury chocolate brand

Africa needs women entrepreneurs who really understand the power of the entrepreneurial value chain in their countries, and in Ghana a great example can be found in Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate. The company’s philosophy is based on a bean-to-bar approach to manufacture and distribution, adding value to everyone along the value chain, from cocoa bean grower to consumer. ‘57 Chocolate is a world-class brand that believes in not merely trading the country’s natural resources in their “natural” state, but instead using creativity to transform these resources by developing made in Ghana products of premium value. Lionesses of Africa spoke to these pioneering sisters this month to find out more.

Margaret Hirsch, an impact-driven retail pioneer in Southern Africa

June 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Hirsch’s is a truly South African family business and was founded 41 years ago by Margaret Hirsch and her husband Allan. Today, it is the largest independently owned Appliance and Electronics retail outlet in South Africa - Margaret now has the role of Executive Director of the company, Allan is the Chairman, son Richard is CEO and daughter Luci is Brand Manager. Lionesses of Africa chatted to Margaret this month to hear her shared insights during this Covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on her personally and on the business. She opens up very honestly about her personal experiences, and also her people centric approach to business.

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, a creative designer with a passion for silk

June 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder and creative director of EKI

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans is the founder and creative director of EKI, a luxury women’s fashion brand based in London designing ready to wear and bespoke pieces. Lionesses of Africa chatted to Hazel this month to learn more about this unique luxury brand that is winning fans from around the world with its celebration of silk and African heritage.

Tara Fela-Durotoye, a professional make-up pioneer in Nigeria

June 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Beauty Entrepreneur who pioneered the professional make up industry in Nigeria in the late 90's. She is the founder and current CEO of House of Tara International. She is considered a major force in the Nigerian female entrepreneurship community having created an impact business that has empowered tens of thousands of beauty entrepreneurs through the "Tara Beauty Entrepreneur" initiative. Tara continues to be a thought leader and major influencer through several in classroom and on line courses that focus on sharing her 20+ year experience with other budding entrepreneurs.

Femi Olayebi, a champion of African luxury and craftsmanship

May 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)

Femi Olayebi is a self-taught handbag and accessories designer, trainer, mentor and the creative force behind the eponymous FemiHandbags brand. A translator turned designer and manufacturer, her entrepreneurial journey started in 1992 when she tried her hands at making a diaper bag for her first daughter. Since then, she has poured all her energies into building her business, consistently pushing the boundaries and emerging as a leader in the Nigerian leather space. Renowned for her statement, colour-drenched pieces, Femi has received several awards, and in 2013, her business became a case study for MBA students at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.

Adele Dejak, a bold designer inspired by African heritage

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

In the highly competitive world of international jewellery design, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But this is certainly not the case for jewellery and accessory design entrepreneur, Adele Dejak, founder of the striking global luxury brand that carries her name.

Lilly Alfonso, a renowned Malawian fashion brand builder

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lilly Alfonso is a renowned and credible fashion brand with over ten years of experience in fashion and design. Its founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso, is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributions to the fashion industry. The unique and high-quality garments she designs have been showcased on numerous runways such as: Kigali, Cairo, Paris, London, Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona. The Lilly Alfonso Brand has two flagship labels; men’s wear collection is under the LAmann Label while, Women’s wear collection is under the LAwomann Label. Lilly Alfonso introduced a sporting collection under LAsport which is still under development.

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