Connie Matlejoane, a South African entrepreneur building a multi-faceted corporate gifting and branding business

June 4, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Connie Matlejoan, founder, CRM Enterprise

Connie Matlejoane is a female entrepreneur from Klipfontein View in Midrand, Johannesburg, in South Africa, and has built a thriving business, CRM Enterprise, despite facing numerous challenges along the way. After being retrenched from her previous job, Connie decided to start her own business, and 5 years later has grown CRM Enterprise into a successful corporate gifting and branding enterprise with six permanent employees. Connie is an inspiration to other female entrepreneurs, and her story is proof that with hard work and determination, it is possible to overcome the odds and build a successful business.

Maura Cumba, a Mozambican entrepreneur building a multi-faceted microfinance business

May 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Maura Cumba, founder, Nilombi Microcredito and Imperium Finance Consulting (Mozambique)

Maura Cumba is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Nilombi Microcredito and Imperium Finance Consulting in Mozambique. Today, at the age of 30, she is also a mother of two children as well a business builder which currently employs 15 people. At the age of 17 she began her professional journey in the areas of protocol and sales. At the age of 21 she embraced the profession as HR Consultant, accumulating 5 years of experience in this area with a focus in recruitment and selection. At the age of 27, she decided to embark on the world of entrepreneurship, and today she is a serial entrepreneur.

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur building a value-add agro-processing business

May 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo, founder, Ingcebethu Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe)

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo is the founder of Ingcebethu Pvt Ltd, a small business based in Zimbabwe and in the value addition agro-processing sector. Ingcebethu uses a 3-way model which is Freezing, Canning and Drying fruits and vegetables in the bid to reduce food waste, post-harvest losses, as well as to promote food security in Africa. Sizolwenkosi has been awarded a number of accolades for her work which include: 2022 JCI TOYP Honouree, Top 20 Young CEOs by CEO Roundtable Africa 2022, as well as the Record Breaker Young CEOs by Zimbabwe CEOs Network 2022 among others. She is a YALI RLC alumni and her business was in the top 10 finalists in the 2022 Eagles Nest Incubation program by Zimtrade. In line with her mission to address food security, Sizolwenkosi volunteers at The Mobi Soup Kitchen where approximately 600 children are fed every week at a squatter camp in Harare.

Karina Jamal, founder of Koko Boxes in Mozambique, a company dedicated to the field of biodegradable packaging

May 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Karina Jamal, founder, Koko Boxes Lda (Mozambique)

Karina Jamal, fundadora da Koko Boxes Lda, Mozambique, empresa dedicada ao ramo de embalagens biodegradáveis.

Karina Jamal is a writer and founder of Koko Boxes Lda, Mozambique, a company dedicated to the field of biodegradable packaging and production of paper bags. Koko Boxes has been present in the Mozambican market for 4 years, supplying packaging to hotels, shops, catering companies and restaurants. The company started in 2023 operating as a manufacturer of paper bags as a disposable solution in the reduction of the use of plastic.

Blessed Agyemang, a Ghanaian industry leader in Brand Management, Personal and Professional Development Training and Consulting

May 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Blessed Agyemang, founder Herrada (Ghana)

Blessed Agyemang is an award-winning entrepreneur, key note speaker and management consultant, and founder of Herrada in Ghana. Blessed has her areas of expertise in supply chain management, business and operation strategy, operational and business development after she had already made an exemplary professional career climbing up the corporate ladder in what is one of the top multinational oil and gas firms within the Europe, Eurasia and Sub- Saharan (EESSA) and Africa Other (AO) regions.

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)

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.

Fátima Lorgat, an accessory brand builder celebrating Capulana fabric in Mozambique

May 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Fátima Lorgat, founder, Ohana (Mozambique)

Fátima Lorgat is an entrepreneur and the founder of Ohana in Mozambique. She is also a wife, and a mom of 4 children. She always had a passion for sewing and fabrics, and in 2018 she started to make beach tote bags for family members. By the end of that year, she was approached to sell her beautiful tote bags commercially, and so came up with the idea of creating a Brand. In 2019 she founded Ohana as a business and in April of 2020, expanded her range to start producing protective masks to help prevent Covid19. Thanks to the love and effort that she put into her work, the masks were a success and the brand name started to be well-known for its quality. In early 2022, Ohana reinvented itself and today produces a range of useful and versatile products which use 100% cotton fabric and only good quality Capulana fabric. The main product range includes the Ohana Eco-bags, tote bags, personal and home organizers, and accessories for cooking and kitchen. All Ohana products are made with care to make our clients life a little bit better.

Matubatsi Motsoeneng, a South African entrepreneur building a platform for modern mothers

May 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Matubatsi Motsoeneng, CEO & founder, The Feme Platform and Femme Foodie Lover (South Africa)

Matubatsi Motsoeneng is the CEO and founder of The Feme Platform and Femme Foodie Lover in South Africa. She's a passionate entrepreneur, facilitator, and coach, dedicated to making modern mothers’ lives easier. Matubatsi aims to expand The Feme Platform internationally, internally, and work with female brands worldwide to grow employment.

Vivian Savia, a natural skincare brand builder in Nigeria

May 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Vivian Savia, founder and CEO, Nature's Bar (Nigeria)

Vivian Savia is the founder and CEO of a natural skincare brand, Nature's Bar in Nigeria, which has been in operation since 2017. It currently creates job opportunities within her environment while partnering with local suppliers of raw materials and supplies. She is a chartered accountant with an MA in International Business Management from Middlesex University, London, and B.Sc. in Accounting from Imo State University. As a chartered accountant by profession, her basic skills and experience were in accounting, grants management, retail marketing, financial management, donor reporting, procurement, and communication within the banking and non-profit sector.

Leocádia Yurca Chau, a Mozambican environmental impact and sustainability change-maker

April 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Leocádia Yurca Chau, founder of Ecoplus Mozambique, Lda

Leocádia Yurca Chau is the founder of Ecoplus Mozambique, Lda, a business which operates in the environmental, agribusiness and provider of training and consultancy services with the aim of providing innovative solutions to the market in which it operates, through the use of work tools that produce superior gains to the investment made by the customer or partner. Since its creation in 2020, Ecoplus Mozambique has tried to become a leading SME of excellence in the services it provides, and with extensive experience in the design and implementation of Environmental and Business Sustainability projects. The business has created 5 jobs.

Saajidah and Mubinah Esat, entrepreneurs creating a great Indian food cafe experience in Zimbabwe

April 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Saajidah & Mubinah Esat, co-founder, Zen Cafe (Zimbabwe)

Saajidah Esat and her sister Mubinah are the co-founders of Zen Cafe in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Having being brought up in an Indian home, where the focus was always around food, they spent most of their time whipping up new recipes and cooking for the family. They first ventured into the food industry while living and studying in South Africa. They sold food at a popular Johannesburg food market and catered for several corporate events. Zen Cafe was born out of a desire to create and bring something different to the Zimbabwean market. The cafe employs 6 full time staff, including the 2 sisters and has been in operation for the past 6 months.

Sany Weng San, an entrepreneur providing integrated office management services in Mozambique

April 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Sany Weng San, co-founder, MMO Facilities (Mozambique)

Sany Weng San is a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of MMO Facilities in Mozambique, and her exceptional leadership skills and dedication have earned her the Women Leadership Award. She founded MMO Facilities in 2018 to provide high-quality services to her clients and make their lives easier by providing top-notch integrated office management services. Under her leadership, MMO Facilities has become a leading provider of shared office spaces in Mozambique, serving a portfolio of multinational companies. Sany is committed to empowering women and has created job opportunities by hiring a team comprising 80% of women. With over 15 years of experience in the business industry, Sany's expertise in marketing, sales, human resources, procurement, budgeting, and project management has been instrumental in the success of MMO Facilities.

Neidy Carvalho, a Mozambican environmental consultant helping businesses become more sustainable

April 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Neidy Carvalho, founder & general manager, Imbe-Consultoria, Serviços e Soluções, Lda (Mozambique)

Neidy Carvalho is the founder and general manager of Imbe-Consultoria, Serviços e Soluções, Lda, also known as Imbe CSS. Her business, which was founded in 2019, is located in Mozambique. In the beginning, it was focused only on environmental consultancy, but then expanded to water treatment, HSQ and Energy sector (renewable and non-renewable energy). Imbe CSS helps other companies to become more green and environmentally aware in their day-to-day practices. It also provides environment permits, audits, monitoring and evaluations, environmental studies, assistance, and more as they need. The business has grown as it became more serious in its focus. Neidy considers herself persistent and studious, traits developed over the past few years. She now has almost 7 years of experience in the environmental area, and is surrounded with a young and vibrant team of 3 people. In the future, Neidy aspires to grow the business further, and help companies and others to be more sustainable as the planet requires of us.

Kenechukwu Augusta Okafor, a Nigerian entrepreneur passionate about women's empowerment and accessible, affordable healthcare

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Kenechukwu Augusta Okafor is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Gusta-Vines Global Limited and Africa Medical Marketplace Enterprise in Nigeria. She is passionate about women's empowerment, Africa, growth, and quality, accessible and affordable healthcare at the grassroots level. Kenechukwu has strong skills in organizational management, customer service relationships, and building positive human relationships.

Rebecca C. Sani, a Malawian entrepreneur building an organizational development consulting business

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Rebecca C. Sani, founder & Managing Director Resani Consulting (Malawi)

Rebecca C. Sani is the Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Consultant of Resani Consulting in Malawi. The name Resani incorporates her first name and her father's name as a tribute to his contribution to her professional development. She started off as an independent consultant who realized that she could not achieve the mission of Resani alone and therefore expanded her team. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Management (USA), an MBA in Finance (USA) and a Master of Management (DISTINCTION, USA). She is passionate about building teams and helping organizations run more efficiently. She is also the Financial Director and Board Member of Good Shepherd International School.

Regina Augusto Charumar, a Mozambican social entrepreneur building an environmental clean-up movement

March 31, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Regina Augusto Charumar, founder, Geração Consciente (Mozambique)

Regina Augusto Charumar is a social impact entrepreneur, an Environmentalist, PhD student in Sustainability, Teacher, Jurist and founder of the environmental movement Geração Consciente. Geração Consciente is a non-profit environmental volunteering movement, made up of hundreds of young volunteers, who carry out environmental activities throughout the country. With the aim of raising environmental awareness, educating and raising awareness in society, she carries out campaigns to clean and restore the mangroves, clean the beach and public spaces, plant trees in schools and communities, lectures, environmental workshops and raise awareness. The Geração Consciente environmental movement was created on May 2022, and has already carried out hundreds of environmental activities across the country. The goal is to build an environmentally conscious generation.

Ornília Faife, a Mozambican entrepreneur helping clients to clean their environments

March 31, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Ornília Cândida Roseiro Artur Faife, founder of EnviroWorks Solucoes Ambientais, Lda (Mozambique)

Ornília Cândida Roseiro Artur Faife is the founder of EnviroWorks Solucoes Ambientais, Lda, a business located in Maputo City Centre which has 11 employees. It’s main customers are private and state entities. She is currently the manager of two companies: EnviroWorks Lda. and Connected Business Center, and is also opening a laundry in the Maputo province.

Camille Storm, a dynamic Kenyan music entrepreneur elevating African musical talent to new heights

March 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Angela "Camille Storm" Kariuki, founder of CNC Distro and Camille and Company Limited (Kenya)

Angela "Camille Storm" Kariuki is a dynamic music executive with a passion for East African talent and the founder of CNC Distro and Camille and Company Limited. Her career started with the founding of "The Camille Way" music blog and grew to include Camille & Co., a boutique talent and PR agency that represents ground-breaking artists such as Blaqbonez and Lojay. Camille's latest venture, C&C Distro, is a digital music distribution and market platform for emerging artists. She has gained recognition from publications such as The Fader and Apple Music, and became an official juror at the AFRIMA Awards in 2022, solidifying her status as a leading force in the music industry, and elevating African music to new heights.

Nelly Paulser, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur building a client centric graphic design business

March 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Nelly Paulser, co-founder, Graphic House Zim (Zimbabwe)

Nelly Paulser is an Events Branding Designer and the co-founder of a graphic design, printing, branding and events business in Zimbabwe called Graphic House Zim. She is an Alumni of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, a Geneza School of Design Scholar, a recipient of a Tony Elumelu Foundation grant, one of the 503 African Women Entrepreneur Finalists selected by Women In Africa for training and mentorship, and now a UPG Biashara Candidate - Class of 2023. She is also a winner of the 100 Voices For Our Planet Award and was nominated for Women Changing the World Awards presented by Dr Tererai Trent. She is also an ImpactHer Ambassador for Zimbabwe. Above all this she is a wife and a mother to three beautiful children.

Kabira Dewan, a South African entrepreneur creating jobs for women in underprivileged communities

March 19, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Kabira Dewan, founder, Tamura Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Kabira Dewan is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Tamura Enterprises (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. She is also a proud wife and mother of 3 with a successful career pivot from being a 20 year Ex-Banker at one of the 4 Big Banks in South Africa. She is a passionate social entrepreneur with a firm belief in combining profit with philanthropy and is the founder and Craft Director at Bead Expressions, a social enterprise that is creating jobs for women in underprivileged communities in an effort to eradicate unemployment. In addition, she is also a Franchisee for a Famous Brands Combo Store Restaurant Franchise. She enjoys sharing her insights and knowledge of women franchisees, as women are particularly underrepresented in fast food franchise. She is also a guest blogger for Lionesses of Africa.

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