Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana, a South African renewable energy pioneer

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

In Pursuit Renewable Energy, a sustainability-focused South African project development, energy efficiency and alternative power solutions business

Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana is an Electrical Engineer and seasoned Energy Professional with almost 16 years’ experience in delivering small to utility scale infrastructure projects with a focus on Renewable Energy. Her business, In Pursuit Renewable Energy in South Africa was formed in 2017 and today has 8 employees. Hleziphi is a former Senior Project Manager within Arup’s Renewables team overseeing a Lender’s Technical Advisory (LTA) team taking Renewables (Solar/Wind) projects from bid submission, Financial Close and Commercial Operation, Construction Monitoring and Operations Monitoring. She was also a former Technical Manager in the IPP sector developing greenfield projects and leading projects in the C&I space. She has developed and delivered over 3000MW of Renewables projects (Solar, Hydro, Wind Battery Energy Storage) in South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana and UK. Hleziphi also held leadership roles such as COO of Bonang Power & Energy, Principal for Matt&Co Advisory, Arup Education Trust Trustee, the COO for the SunElex Group and Project Development Team Lead for TASEZ Gas to Energy Project. She is also a mother of 3 Daughters, Skills Development Facilitator, Conference Speaker and Moderator.

Bernadette Umunyana, a Rwandan creative manufacturing business builder

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a manufacturing business creating proudly Made in Rwanda accessories.

Bernadette Umunyana is founder and CEO of Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a private, family owned, and women managed manufacturing company in Rwanda, producing since December 2014 leather handcrafted fashion accessories like handbags, backpacks, wallets and belts for women and men. The company currently employs 21 people of whom 70% are women. Bernadette is a very active and creative female entrepreneur, consequently she was looking to diversify her activities through a horizontal expansion with potential synergetic impact, and noticing the growing demand for wooden and upholstery furniture in the local market she decided to acquire in 2019 an existing carpentry workshop, INWOOD, Ltd.

Yetunde Akande, a Nigerian impact-maker empowering the fashion industry

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Yetroselane Fashion Hub, a multi-faceted fashion business creating jobs, and empowering fashion entrepreneurs of the future

Yetunde Akande is an award-winning CEO and founder of Yetroselane Fashion Hub in Nigeria, a mission-driven company founded in 2008, transforming the fashion industry through sustainability and empowerment, and employing 45 people. The hub's contemporary womenswear fosters inclusivity and empowerment, complemented by their Fashion Academy preparing women for successful fashion businesses. Operating with a zero-waste policy in their garment factory, Yetunde collaborates globally for amplified impact. Recognized with prestigious awards, her designs grace global runways, including New York Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana. Committed to mentorship, Yetunde engages with organizations like WIMBIZ, AWE, and GAIN, shaping the future of aspiring entrepreneurs. She envisions a future of employment and thriving fashion ventures.

Eka Obaigbena, a Nigerian fast-casual dining pioneer

January 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Toasties Limited, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain reimagining the way Africans experience meals on the go

Eka Obaigbena is the founder and ceo of Toasties, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain launched in 2016 in Nigeria that aims to reimagine the way Africans experience meals on the go. Toasties' menu consists primarily of fusion sandwiches, salads, and various specials. Eka is also the Founder and CEO of Board, a food gifting and food experience company that presents edible art to its customers. Before launching her businesses in 2016 and 2020 respectively, Eka began her culinary journey in New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now The International Culinary Center) where she trained as a chef in 2011.

Francine Munyaneza, a Rwandan green energy impact-maker

January 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Munyax Eco, a solar power business creating access to clean and affordable energy in East Africa

With a master’s degree in business and administration and 15 years of experience globetrotting, Francine Munyaneza skilfully managed operations in international private organizations and later in the humanitarian sector. Her accumulated expertise led her to return to Rwanda and establish Munyax Eco in 2013, an impact focused solar energy company. Through Munyax Eco’s endeavours, she has positively impacted nearly 1,000,000 beneficiaries, reduced carbon emissions by over 5,000 tons annually, and importantly created 30 permanent jobs and over 100 temporary jobs. Notably, the majority of Munyax Eco’s staff and beneficiaries are women.

Solange Domaye, a Chad-born African fonio production pioneer

January 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Symfonio bv, a pioneering force in organic African food production and distribution, empowering over 2,000 women cooperatives in Burkina Faso

Solange Domaye, a Chad-born entrepreneur based in the Netherlands, is dedicated to fostering sustainable trade between Africa and Europe. With 16+ years of entrepreneurial experience, she runs afric-eu.com, promoting economic development through trade and diplomacy. She also serves as the Honorary Consul of Chad to the Netherlands. In 2021, Solange founded Symfonio bv, focusing on organic African food production and distribution. She collaborates with 2000+ women in Burkina Faso, scaling fonio production from 10 to 500MT in just two years. Solange is a champion of sustainable trade, diplomacy, and women's empowerment, leaving a significant mark in international business and economic development.

Nelly Cheboi, a Kenyan edupreneur changing lives through technology

December 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Techlit Africa, a social impact business enabling children to fulfill their potential through digital skills development in Kenya

Nelly Cheboi is the founder of TechLit Africa, an organization that teaches digital skills in rural primary schools, and the winner of the 2022 CNN Hero award. Nelly grew up in the rural village of Mogotio in Kenya. She received a full scholarship to study computer science at Augustana College in Illinois in 2012 and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and computer science. Nelly built a school in Kenya, called Zawadi Yetu, during her junior year of college in 2018, and started to transport donated computers from the United States to Kenya. In 2019, she founded the nonprofit TechLit Africa with another software engineer, Tyler Cinnamon, after quitting their jobs. The organization, headquartered in Kenya at Zawadi Yetu, teaches 4000 students aged 5–14 basic computer skills and redistributes recycled technology to enable the creation of computer labs in African schools. They have built 10 computer labs in rural Kenya and have plans for 100 more. In 2022, Nelly was named as one of the 30 under 30 on the Forbes list for social impact and in the same year was also the recipient of the CNN Hero award.

Gita Langa, a Mozambican entrepreneur turning floral passion into business

December 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Floural, a growing specialist floral design and gifting business in Mozambique

Gita Langa is the owner and founder of Floural, a specialist business in Mozambique offering beautiful flower arrangements and floral gifts to customers in the country. She has an education in Auditing, Compliance and Business Management and a full-time job as Global Compliance Manager in an International non-profit organization. Gita has two big passions, compliance and flowers, and believes that God is her light and strength in all she is and does. She developed a passion for flowers in her childhood, influenced by her mother's love for Chrysanthemums. When young, she used to buy flowers for the home. She never imagined at that age that she would eventually open a florist business, as her dream was to be a fashion designer. At the time, she loved to design clothes and used to do it for herself and her friends - just one of her hidden talents.

Siny Samba, a Senegalese social entrepreneur combatting malnutrition

December 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Le Lionceau, a social enterprise producing nutritious baby food to build an inclusive, high impact food value chain in Senegal

Siny Samba, a food processing engineering graduate from Montpellier SupAgro, France, seamlessly blends her passions for cooking and supporting children in Senegal. Motivated by a commitment to contribute to her country's development, she returned to Senegal and founded "Le Lionceau" in 2018, a social enterprise producing nutritious, locally sourced baby food. Today the business employs 35 people. Through collaborations with smallholder farmers and women's groups, the company aims to build a sustainable and inclusive food value chain. Siny actively advocates for the importance of the first 1,000 days in a child's life, conducting awareness campaigns on maternal and infant nutrition. Her journey reflects a dedication to making a positive impact on children's well-being and fostering community development.

Abimbola Adebakin, a Nigerian retail pharma innovator

November 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Advantage Health Africa, enabling access to quality and affordable medicines in Nigeria

Abimbola Adebakin is a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT), Pharmacist, management consultant and tech innovator who is keen to drive performance improvement in the African healthcare system. She is the Founder/CEO of Advantage Health Africa, a business launched in 2017 and today employing 86 people, focused on enabling access to quality and affordable medicines in Nigeria through tech, aggregation, digital health services and pharma products. She sits on the board of Safe Medicines Foundation, and mentors for WIMBIZ (Women in Business) and Google StartUp programme. Abimbola’s work at Advantage Health Africa has garnered global recognition, grants and awards from Bayer Foundation, Google, Ashoka, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMGF and the Jack Ma Foundation.

Josephine Sidambe, a South African sustainability change-maker

November 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Ingqwele Consulting & Projects Managements Pty Ltd, a sustainability consulting business driving transformative change in South Africa

Josephine Sidambe is a visionary, achiever, and change maker, and the founder of Ingqwele Consulting & Projects Managements Pty Ltd in South Africa which was launched in 2013. As a dynamic agent of change in the world of sustainability consulting, Josephine has continuously pushed the boundaries of continuous improvements. She has an insatiable passion for sustainable solutions and unwavering commitment to reducing the climate change impact. She has contributed to the reduction of carbon footprint in the sustainability consulting industry through leadership and motivation to adopt green sustainable projects. With 25 years of professional work experience, of which 7 years are in the field of sustainability consulting, Josephine has harnessed her expertise to drive transformative change. As a senior sustainability consultant in the business, she leads with vision and tuning challenges into opportunities.

Ndidi Nwuneli, an impact-maker in agriculture & nutrition

November 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Aace Foods Processing & Distribution, on a mission to improve people’s nutrition and farmer livelihoods in Nigeria

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an expert on food ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. She has over 25 years of international development experience and is the founder of LEAP Africa and African Food Changemakers. She is also the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. and AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd. Ndidi serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA, Nigerian Breweries Plc. (Heineken), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. India, Stanbic IBTC Group, the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, and the Bridgespan Group. She holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, a visiting Scholar at Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow. Ndidi is a TED speaker, was recognized as a Schwab Fellow and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and has received numerous awards and recognitions including a National Honor by the Nigerian Government and the 2021 Harvard Business School Distinguished Alumni Award. She is the author of "Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact," and "Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses," both published by Routledge and “Walking for God in the Marketplace.”

Antsa Ramaroson, a Natural Hair Movement pioneer in Madagascar

October 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Curly Aho, a business dedicated to the care and enhancement of afro and textured hair in Madagascar.

Antsa Ramaroson is the co-founder of Curly Aho, a company and a social movement dedicated to the care and enhancement of afro and textured hair in Madagascar. She started with the online community in December 2017, but the business officially started in 2020 with the opening of the natural hair spa, and today it has 30 employees. Curly Aho means “I have curly hair” in Malagasy (native language) and consists of the Curly Aho Community, an online community of 50 000 members, and a support group to encourage inclusive beauty and curl confidence. Texture, a natural hair spa, is dedicated to give access to personalized treatments and curl education and Loharano is a plant-based haircare brand rich in plants of Madagascar, famous for their benefits in hair. Antsa has been featured as one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes 2021. She is a hairdresser and a certified curl expert.

Omoyemi Akerele, a Nigerian creative economy change agent

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Style House Files/Lagos Fashion Week, two powerful business platforms advancing Nigerian and African Fashion industries

Omoyemi Akerele is an experienced, renowned creative economy change agent and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of notable achievements in the areas of youth development, job creation, circular fashion development, showcasing and discovering talent and creating access to the market globally for Africa's evolving textile and apparel industry. Omoyemi drives change across the ecosystem through her current position as Founder and CEO at Style House Files, Lagos Fashion Week where she applies core economic development principles to connect the missing gaps that exist within the African textile and apparel ecosystem such as capacity-building, skills development, access to capital, infrastructural development, artisanal skills preservation and closing the loop.

Matina Razafimahefa, a digital education change-maker in Africa

October 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

SAYNA, a business revolutionizing access to the job market and democratizing education in new technologies in Africa

Matina Razafimahefa is a pioneering entrepreneur on a mission to bridging the gap in Digital Education in Africa. She co-founded SAYNA in 2017, fulfilling a childhood dream she had shared with her mother, Nirina Rahoeliaribahy. SAYNA is the first Franco-African Edtech & crowdsourcing platform. The platform aims to connect organized IT projects, divided into micro-tasks, with a community of pre-trained developers. The business currently employs 15 people. Facing financial constraints in its early days, Matina launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2018 to accelerate the project and facilitate some acquisitions. Her efforts were recognized when she was awarded the title of "Best Social Entrepreneur" at just 20 years old, in a competition organized by the International Organization of the Francophonie, in partnership with Incubons. Matina's ambition extends beyond the success of her startup. She aims to provide millions of Africans with access to quality digital education and global job opportunities, without letting a CV become a barrier. Her second ambition is to create profitable businesses that can revolutionize the lives of millions and generate employment opportunities.

Omoh Alokwe, an environmental management change-maker in Nigeria

October 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Street Waste Company Limited, a community recycling enterprise empowering women and youth in the urban slums of Lagos

Omoh Alokwe is the co-founder at Street Waste Company Limited in Nigeria. She is an Environmental Sustainability professional certified as an ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor. She has a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has over six years’ experience in environmental sustainability and waste management. As the co-founder and chief technical officer at Street Waste Company, Omoh ensures the company attain its goals and objectives. The business started its operations in 2019 and today employs 15 people. Through her leadership, over 150 women and youth in underserved communities have been empowered, diverted over 2000,000kg of recyclables from getting to the landfill, and educated over 1000 individuals on waste recycling.

Dr. Omolola Salako, a dedicated health leader in cancer care

October 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, a chain of specialist cancer treatment centers in Lagos, Nigeria

Dr. Omolola Salako is an "Oncopreneur" who founded Sebeccly Cancer Care, Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, the Oncopadi App, and PROSECare AI, a digital patient monitoring platform in Nigeria. She is a global health leader and award-winning cancer researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. With over two decades of specializing in oncology, she is among the 90 skilled clinical oncologists in Nigeria focusing on cancer treatment. She's won several awards for her excellent work, including the 2021 Brightest Minds in Cancer Research from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the 2023 Global Bridges Oncology and Pfizer Global Medical Grants. She launched her business in 2018 and today it employs 40 people.

Elmarie Pereira, a social impact innovator combatting gender violence

September 24, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Memeza, a South African social innovation organization using ICT to protect vulnerable women and girls

Elmarie Pereira, co-founder of Memeza, has dedicated her life for the past 9 years to the impact Social Innovation can make in South Africa, specifically using innovative ICT to combat Gender Based Violence and protect the most vulnerable people. Elmarie joined her co-founder, Thuli Mthethwa, in 2015 after the loss of her sister due to gender based violence and her wish to help make a change. Through various pilots done with Memeza's crime fighting technology, Elmarie & Thuli, together with their team, have proven to reduce sexual offences by 67% and murder rate by 9%. Under Elmarie’ s leadership, the Memeza team was also able to develop the Social Partner Mobile Survey tool which to date has created over 2700 youth jobs through auditing over 15 000 liquor outlets Nationally for COVID compliance. Memeza has won over 10 industry awards for the impact made in fighting crime through this woman lead organization and has created 27 jobs.

Victoria Mwafulirwa, a Malawian agripreneur empowering local out-growers

September 17, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Homes Industries Ltd, an impact creating agribusiness in Malawi generating economic opportunities for small-holder farmers

Victoria Mwafulirwa is an award winning agripreneur and the founder and Managing Director of Homes Industries Ltd, an agro-processing company located in Karonga District, in the northern region of Malawi. The company, which was established in March 2015, works with over 2500 smallholder farmers in an out-grower scheme that grows sunflower, rice and groundnuts. Homes Industries Ltd manufactures cold pressed sunflower oil and peanut flour (Nsinjiro). It also processes and packages brown and regular white Kilombero rice. Recently, Homes Industries Ltd added the ‘Homes Peanut Butter’ to its product line. The newly introduced nutritious peanut paste, aims at creating enjoyment for the whole family. The company employs 11 people.

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