The ‘missing middle’ funding gap - let’s act to solve it!

October 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

Talk to Africa’s high-growth potential women entrepreneurs about the ‘missing middle’ funding gap and they will tell you that it’s a reality - and a real barrier to growth. It’s a much talked about challenge that is in need of tangible action to find effective, impact-driven solutions. That’s why at Start-Up Night Africa in The Hague on 11 July 2023, I was privileged to host a panel discussion on this important topic with representatives from the finance community, government, and importantly, women entrepreneurs in growth mode from across the African continent.

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.

On Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Lionesses of Africa’s Business Confidence Report celebrates African women entrepreneurs’ optimism about business

November 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Press Release

On Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Lionesses of Africa’s Business Confidence Report celebrates African women entrepreneurs’ optimism about business

Women entrepreneurs in Africa are expressing widespread optimism and continuing resilience despite the prevailing economic climate, according to the 2022 Lionesses Business Confidence Report and Index launched on Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, 19 November 2022.

100 Lionesses Digital Transformation Playbook for Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs offers first-person hacks, tactics and strategies for building businesses back from Covid-19 pandemic

March 25, 2022 Melanie Hawken

PRESS RELEASE

Report produced by Lionesses of Africa and financed by African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative

The COVID-19 pandemic has made businesses, large and small and across all industry sectors, start thinking about Digital Transformation as a priority, pushing it to the top of their agendas. However, for many women entrepreneurs on the African continent, the challenge is knowing where to start. So as a practical response to the challenge, the 100 Lionesses Digital Transformation Playbook has been launched, the first in a series of practical digital tools for Africa’s women entrepreneurs produced by Lionesses of Africa, with the support of The African Development Bank through its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA). The 100 Lionesses Digital Transformation Playbook provides peer to peer insights for women enterprises to kickstart their digital transformation journeys. It features 24 leading African women entrepreneurs who share their personal digital transformation playbooks and experience for improving efficiency, building resilience and speeding up recovery.

Lionesses Business Confidence Report speaks to high levels of resilience by Africa’s leading women entrepreneurs despite Covid-19

March 8, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Press Release

Report financed by African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative

Abidjan, 8 March 2022 - Women-owned businesses are faring better than expected with relatively high levels of resilience despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a new report funded by the African Development Bank shows.

Meet Mozambique's women entrepreneurs who are showcasing the country's unique business offerings

October 31, 2021 Melanie Hawken

In Focus / Mozambique

Like countries across the African continent, Mozambique is emerging from the impact of many challenges over the past two years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. But those challenges have spurred on women entrepreneurs in the country who want to create businesses that can help them to better weather the social and economic storms going forward. What each of these women entrepreneurs share in common is a passion for the businesses they are creating, ambition for the brands they are launching, and a desire to create opportunities and jobs for local people. These true Lionesses of Africa are not just showcasing their own unique products and services to the world, getting consumers interested in buying what they have to offer, but they are also putting Mozambique on the map and stimulating interest from across the continent.

Eswatini’s Black Mamba Foods announces R9.2 million investment in the business by Enygma Ventures

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Claudia Castellanos, co-founder of Black Mamba Foods (Eswatini)

Investment Feature

Enygma Ventures has just announced that Black Mamba Foods, the ethical producer of specialty foods (best known for its chilli sauces) based in Eswatini, and co-founded by entrepreneur Claudia Castellanos, has become the fund's latest pioneering investment.

Meet 30 Mozambican women entrepreneurs making their mark

October 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Country Spotlight / Mozambique

For the past few years, Mozambique has seen a new generation of women entrepreneurs emerging onto the business scene, creating vibrant businesses across a range of sectors. Each one is making their mark in their own way. But what they share in common is a passion for the businesses they are creating, ambition for the brands they are launching, and a desire to create opportunities and jobs for local people. These true Lionesses of Africa are not just showcasing their own unique products and services to the world, getting consumers interested in buying what they have to offer, but they are also putting Mozambique on the map and stimulating interest from across the continent.

Meet Botswana's exciting women entrepreneur brand builders

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Spotlight / Botswana

When people think about Botswana and business, what might immediately come to mind is travel and tourism, diamonds, and agriculture, to name but a few. But there are many exciting businesses and brands being built in the country by women entrepreneurs who have other products and services to offer to both local and global consumers. These include fashion designers and textile manufacturers, legal and business services companies, aviation businesses, food processing companies, floral designers, beauty and wellness product manufacturing businesses, and so much more. Not only are they business success stories in their own right, but they are also inspiring a new generation of young women entrepreneurs who want to follow in their footsteps.

Meet 30 African women food and drink entrepreneurs capturing consumer imagination

August 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sector In Focus | Food & Drink

There is a real buzz in consumer markets about niche food and drinks brands that celebrate the provenance of where products are made, celebrating local ingredients and craftsmanship. At Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on 30 leading women entrepreneurs in Africa who are capturing consumer imagination and making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do.

Meet 5 African women entrepreneur health pioneers pushing the boundaries of innovation

May 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Feature | Healthcare

Around the world, there has never been a more heartfelt appreciation for the work that those in the health sector do for all of us, each and every day. So now is a great time to recognize the women entrepreneurs in the Lionesses of Africa community who are pioneers in their chosen health fields, pushing the boundaries of innovation to make all our lives better through their businesses.

Coronavirus - Resist!

March 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Two ‘Lioness Weekenders’ ago, we dived straight into the most important aspect of our business lives, that of Cash Flow. This week, the London Business School showed us why it is Cash Flow that is the only thing that keeps our Head of Finance awake at night.

Coronavirus - Leadership is the number one superpower during times of crisis

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept.

Last week we looked at the most important aspect of any business when times turn tough - that of Cash Flow. Please note those practical steps have worked for our team in other businesses around the globe, and although not guaranteed to work in every case, will at least encourage thinking in our Lionesses to preparing for the threat coming.

Coronavirus - Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Special Feature — by the Lionesses of Africa Finance Team

Coronavirus is hitting the Northern Hemisphere hard and will come to Africa and a city near you soon. Sadly, this is a fact. Indeed according to www.worldometers.info (careful this page is quite addictive and time consuming), a number of cases have already been reported in Africa and this number is increasing, albeit slowly for now. Still, for the time being, African countries thankfully are a long way down the list of countries hit. As a business owner, you have time to put your own emergency measures in place now, and that starts with ensuring your company survives the economic fall-out from this global pandemic.

International Women’s Day encourages everyone to help build a gender equal world

March 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Feature

International Women's Day on 8 March is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day in 2020 is #EachforEqual.

Meet 4 of South Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs of the Vine

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Special Feature

For years, South Africa’s Cape region has been synonymous with producing and marketing some of the finest wines, and in the process, exciting consumer palettes and markets around the world. Now, there is a growing number of women entrepreneurs in the country who are building exciting businesses and brands in the wine industry, winning legions of local and global fans along the way.

Focus on Women Entrepreneurs in African Agri Business

February 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sector Feature

According to the IFC, by 2030, Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness markets are expected to triple to reach $1 trillion in value. Africa needs more than $10 billion in new investment annually to achieve the aspired expansion of agricultural output. As a result, there is now an increasing focus on extending agribusiness value chains, recognizing that 60 percent of Africans derive their livelihoods from agriculture.

Meet 3 Burundian women entrepreneurs making their mark in the country

January 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Martine Irakoze

My goal in writing this third in a series of articles for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. This week I speak to three women entrepreneurs who are making their mark and an impact with their businesses in the fields of waste management, green jewellery design, and construction.

9 Angolan women entrepreneurs making their mark in the country

January 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Country Feature

Angola is increasingly becoming an exciting place to do business, as regional and international visitors are finding out for themselves. In particular, the country is seeing a growth in entrepreneurship, with some interesting growth businesses emerging and catching the attention of the global and regional marketplace. The country’s business environment is changing and a new spirit of enterprise is being driven by a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are making their mark and building exciting and diverse businesses that are poised to grow.

Bloomingdale’s and The Lion King collaborate with Africa’s women entrepreneurs on new Pop-Up retail shop

July 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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Iconic US retailer Bloomingdale’s has launched the latest rendition of The Carousel Bloomingdale’s: Style Kingdom. From July 11th – September 2nd. The Carousel, a rotating pop-up shop driven by culturally relevant themes with a dynamic merchandise mix hand-selected by guest curators, guides shoppers to discover something new with each visit. This time around Florence Kasumba, the German-Ugandan actress who plays the role of Shenzi the hyena, in the upcoming film Disney’s The Lion King, serves as guest curator. She has tapped into her love of African fashion to identify select items that capture the spirit of the savanna. Leading African women entrepreneur brands such as Ghana’s luxury accessory brand AAKS, founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi; Swaziland’s accessory and homeware brand Khokho, founded by Philippa Thorne, Zinhle Vilakati and Sepna Shah; and South African luxury homeware brand, Carrol Boyes, founded by the designer herself.

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