100 LIONESSES: Ethel Cofie's Edel Technology Consulting is nominated for IT Consulting Firm of The Year

May 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Technology Consulting, Ghana

EDEL Technology Consulting, founded by Ethel Cofie has been nominated in this year’s Ghana Telecom Award now re-branded Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA), in the category “IT consulting firm of the year”. This follows hot on the heels of being judged one of the '100 Most Globally Competitive Startups in Ghana', compiled by one of the country’s reputed media rating establishments, Avance Media, together with The African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE) and Joy Business.

Ally Angula: Every year 11 million Africans enter job market, and here’s the dilemma - jobs or technological progress?

May 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ally Angula, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia) — **Ally Angula**, co-founder of Leap Holdings (Namibia)

KIGALI, WEF Africa: MASS jobs or productivity? Every year some 11 million young Africans enter the job market, only to join tens of millions of others struggling with limited work opportunities on the continent, creating the conditions for social unrest.

100 Lionesses - Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola and Wecyclers honored as Deutsche Welle and Channels Television launch Eco@Africa

May 8, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, co-founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria) — **Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola**, co-founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria)

At the global climate conference held in Paris earlier this year, Deutsche Welle and Channels TV agreed to deepen their cooperation by starting the joint production of an environmental program called Eco@Africa. The new program offers an in-depth look at environmental innovations and best-practice guidelines in Africa and Europe and presents ideas on ecological protection from all over the world. DW and Channels TV used the event, which was broadcast in Nigeria at prime time, to pay tribute to “Eco Heroes”, which included Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, co-founder of WeCyclers.

Bilikiss Abiola and WeCyclers team up with Uber to promote environmental activism for a cleaner Lagos and pollution-free earth

April 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Abiola, founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria) — **Bilikiss Abiola**, founder of WeCyclers (Nigeria)

To commemorate Earth Day on 21 April, Nigeria’s inspirational social entrepreneur, Bilikiss Abiola, founder of WeCyclers, teamed up with Uber to create an innovative new campaign called ‘operation recycling unwanted waste’. The campaign was launched to be in effect throughout Lagos, in line with the initiative of Uber and WeCyclers to promote a clean and healthy environment.

AKRAFO, a new socially responsible gourmet brand launched by the SWAADY Group

April 5, 2016 Melanie Hawken

A new and lovingly created, socially responsible gourmet brand, AKRAFO, has just been launched by one of the leading AfroLuxe exponents on the continent, the SWAADY Group, headed by inspirational founder, Swaady Martin. AKRAFO offers a wide range of organic and natural products with wellness properties including teas & herbal teas, honey, jams, mineral water, oils, spices & condiments.

Uche Pedro wins the award for ‘Best Blogger – Africa’ at the 2016 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards

March 20, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Bella Naija founder, Uche Pedro won the award for ‘Best Blogger – Africa’ at the 2016 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday, 12 March at The Forum in Inglewood, California. This talented Nigerian blogger and online media entrepreneur won the award ahead of other African bloggers including, Sylvia Kamau (Kenya), Aisha Baker (South Africa), and Theodora Lee(South Africa).

Jennifer Riria wins the 2016 Oslo Business for Peace Award

March 12, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Dr Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding (KWH) — **Dr Jennifer Riria**, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding (KWH)

March 8, 2016 – Oslo, Norway: On International Women’s Day, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark highlighted the role of female business leaders in driving positive societal change as she announced this year’s Business for Peace Honourees.Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, announced the three winners of the 2016 Oslo Business for Peace Award; Sarah Beydoun from Lebanon, Dr Jennifer Nkuene Riria from Kenya and Tore Lærdal from Norway.

Monica Musonda: Don't happily be a spectator in your own economy

February 28, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Video: Monica Musonda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods (Zambia)

Do you want to be a spectator or a participant in your country? Monica Musonda narrates her journey into entrepreneurship as a Zambian woman. Working for the richest man in Africa, her former employer Aliko Dangote asked “Where are the Zambian Banks & Factories?” Monica reflected on how Nigerians run their economy and this inspired her to actively participate in her own country’s economy.

Flying Doctors Nigeria, founded by Ola Orekunrin, wins Consumersng Award

February 13, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Flying Doctors Nigeria, founded by Dr. Ola Orekunrin, have been recognised by this year's Consumersng Awards for being one of the top 20 brands in Nigeria adopting high tech innovations in delivering services to people. Flying Doctors Nigeria, a medical emergency service that specializes in air ambulances, and other remote site medical solutions services, won the health start-ups category.

Uche Pedro, Africa's online media diva, nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards 2016

February 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Uche Pedro, founder of BellaNaija.com — **Uche Pedro,** founder of BellaNaija.com

Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) has revealed that Uche Pedro is among this year's nominees for the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, the ultimate fan celebration of the best of everything kids love in pop culture. The nominees reflect the entertainment that audiences see, play, listen to and read in droves, from movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and Pitch Perfect 2, to a host of television shows, music, gaming, books and more.

VIDEO: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of South African aviation - shares her entrepreneurial journey with CNN

January 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Sambo, Founder & CEO of SRS Aviation (South Africa) — **Sibongile Sambo**, Founder & CEO of SRS Aviation (South Africa)

Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. This week, CNN’s African Start-Up featured this pioneering woman entrepreneur whose love for flying has paved the way to a successful private aviation business.

100 LIONESSES: Empowering A Billion Women by 2020 (EBW2020) recognises Zimbabwe’s Divine Ndhlukula

December 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO — Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO

Zimbabwe’s Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of DDNS Security Operations, trading as Securico, has been selected as one of the most influential female leaders of 2015 in the world for her concerted efforts in empowering women in Zimbabwe and the region.

Leading South African entrepreneur, Margaret Hirsch, speaks to LoA about her recent participation in the prestigious 9th IWEC event in Turkey

December 4, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch at the speaker podium giving her talk in Turkey — **Margaret Hirsch** at the speaker podium giving her talk in Turkey

The 9th IWEC International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge and Awards event took place last month in Istanbul, Turkey, and one of South Africa’s most respected and successful women entrepreneurs, Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Chief Operations Executive of Hirschs, was invited to speak about her work, her philosophy on women’s economic participation and upliftment, and her own entrepreneurial journey. LoA spoke to Margaret about this amazing experience and what she learned from it.

Pick n Pay co-founder Wendy Ackerman of The Ackerman Foundation receives the All Africa Philanthropist of the Year Award

November 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Wendy Ackerman, co-founder Pick n Pay — **Wendy Ackerman**, co-founder Pick n Pay

JOHANNESBURG November 16, 2015 – The overall winners of the 5th All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in Partnership with CNBC Africa Grand Finale, hosted by Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela were revealed at a sensational gala dinner held in Sandton, South Africa on November 13. Wendy Ackerman of The Ackerman Foundation received the All Africa Philanthropist of the Year - one of two new awards added to the line-up.

Ally Angula: We have to become active doers and entrepreneurs

November 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ally Angula has in less than two years after starting her business branched out into agriculture and established Namibia’s first commercial clothing brand sold in her own retail outlets. This year, the 35-year-old mother of two was chosen as the first Namibian to join approximately 200 peers as a Young Global Leader under the auspices of the World Economic Forum.

South Africa’s inspirational women entrepreneurs take on the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge in Turkey

November 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

A great group shot of Margaret Hirsch with some of the winners from around the globe.

The prestigious 9th IWEC - International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge and Awards event is currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, and one of South Africa’s most respected and successful women entrepreneurs is one of the invited guest speakers at the event. Margaret Hirsch, the co-founder and Chief Operations Executive of Hirschs, has been invited to speak about her work, her philosophy on women’s economic participation and upliftment, and her own entrepreneurial journey. She was joined by fellow South African entrepreneurs Shona McDonald from Shonaquip and Wendy Kemp from Accountability in Cape Town.

AWARD WINNER: Top South African entrepreneur Margaret Hirsch recognised with prestigious business award this month

November 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Margaret Hirsch, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group (centre), Annelize Wepener (left) and Cmdr. Tsietsi Mokhele (right) — **Margaret Hirsch**, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group (centre), Annelize Wepener (left) and Cmdr. Tsietsi Mokhele (right)

One of our truly inspirational Lionesses of Africa, Margaret Hirsch, the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Hirsch Group and a champion for womens empowerment, has received the award for the most Influential Woman In Wholesale and Retail for the African Continent. She was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award in her category in the Titans Most Influential Women in Business and Government awards ceremony that took place at the Gallagher Estates Convention Centre in Gauteng on 10 November. This is the 14th top business award won by Margaret over the last four years.

Tabitha Karanja recognised by the 2015 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurs for her transformational socio-economic impact in Africa

November 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries (Kenya) — **Tabitha Karanja**, founder of Keroche Breweries (Kenya)

Marrakech, Morocco: The 9th annual Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, a celebration of successful African entrepreneurs from across the continent, has awarded Tabitha Karanja founder of Keroche Breweries, their 2015 Transformational Business Award. This award is given to a notable business leader who has created significant socio-economic impact in Africa by building a business with revenues greater than USD $50 million.

Ally Angula: My Republik - where the Citizen defines the look

November 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

My Republik, a brand under the Leap Holdings umbrella is Namibia’s first commercial clothing brand that is not only retailed in a branded outlet but also designed, developed, cut, trimmed and stitched in Namibia. My Republik was founded with the goal of offering the modern man and woman the best fitting clothes for any occasion, be it in the office or a day out in town. It aims to produce the best quality clothing that is in a class ready to compete on platforms in Namibia, in Africa and beyond.

Monica Musonda shares five key business lessons she has learned

November 1, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia) — **Monica Musonda**, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Zambian entrepreneur Monica Musonda is the founder of Java Foods who produce the eeZee instant noodles brand. In a recent webcast, ''Secrets for a Successful Start-Up' webinar organised by The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Monica shared some of the lessons she has learnt in business and answered questions posed to her by participants. Below are 5 key lessons she has learnt in business.

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