Source: Bloomberg Philanthropies | Published on August 6, 2014
Two African entrepreneurs and a U.S. investor in African companies join the U.S.-Africa Business Forum Google Hangout to talk about the investing climate in Africa for startup companies and what is necessary to get up and running : do your homework and be persistent. With Susan Mashibe, CEO of VIA Aviation in Tanzania, Bobby Pittman, CEO of Kupanda Capital in Washington D.C., and Anthony Nwachukwu, CEO of SW Global, a software company in Ghana.
Read moreTrust that the funds will always come....
"Once you have a good plan and a good concept and you work through it, the funds will always come."
- Kofo Akinkugbe is founder & CEO of SecureID Nigeria Ltd. She is a highly respected African business leader who has become a market leader in smart card technology and digital security. SecureID is world-class manufacturing company with the only smart card production plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent. Her company serves 16 countries across Africa and is fully certified by VISA, Verve and MasterCard. In 2012, Kofo won the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Mature Business Award.
Read morePublished by the Internet Hall of Fame on Apr 12, 2014
Irine Misoi, representative for Dorcas Muthoni, gives an acceptance speech at the Internet Society's Internet Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 8, 2014.
Read moreSpeaking about her heroine, the late Professor Wangari Maathai - first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
“She literally risked her life for what she believed in,”....“She motivated me to devote myself with an equal passion, to helping African girls and women, as well as anything I touch.”
- Dorcas Muthoni is a leading Kenyan entrepreneur, computer scientist and CEO and founder of OPENWORLD. The company she founded at the age of 24 is now a leading e-Government and Business Software Services firm in the Eastern Africa region. Dorcas was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2014.
Read moreSometimes you need to take a risk to get started....
“When I thought of creating OpenWorld, I had a contract with my employer for another 1 ½ years, but I opted out not to renew. It was a 110% risk....I’m not sorry I did it.”
- Dorcas Muthoni is a leading Kenyan entrepreneur, computer scientist and CEO and founder of OPENWORLD. The company she founded at the age of 24 is now a leading e-Government and Business Software Services firm in the Eastern Africa region. Dorcas was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2014.
Read moreIt takes courage to become a serial entrepreneur – Njeri Rionge
This article first appeared in Afrimind.org, written by Sakina Badamasuiy and posted on 19 March, 2013
Read more“If you choose your life's work well, something bewitching can happen through your labors. Each hour you log can be a source of joy.”
- Laura Vanderkam is a internationally recognized writer who questions the status quo and helps her readers rediscover their true passions and beliefs in pursuit of more meaningful lives. She is the author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think.
Read moreNjeri Rionge featured on BBC Network Africa programme on 14 May 2012
For internet entrepreneur Njeri Rionge, Africa represents the next economic frontier. She say strong indigenous, African-owned companies are needed to take advantage of the boom times ahead.
Read moreThe Star newspaper in Kenya featured this fascinating interview with Njeri Rionge on Monday July 28, 2014.
'High school milk vendor realises entrepreneurial dream'
From a young lady selling flavoured milk to high school students, Njeri Rionge rose to build a multi-billion business empire.
Read moreVideo published on April 9, 2012
Njeri Rionge talks about how she we went from humble beginnings as a hairdresser to co-founding a leading Internet Service Provider, Wananchi Online. This celebrated Kenyan serial entrepreneur talks about how she grew this startup to become East Africa's leading cable, broadband and internet-based phone company. She also talks about how she's moved on to found new ventures such as Ingnite Consulting. All said and done, Njeri says she has just got started and is looking to scale even more heights as a successful woman entrepreneur. A true inspiration for all African women wanting to make their way in business.
Read moreWhat are the top reasons why you have been successful in business?....
“For me it is discipline, consistency, passion and excitement about growth.”
- Njeri Rionge is one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs and one of the very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent.She co-founded internet service provider Wananchi Online that has since been transformed into Wananchi Group Holdings – one of east Africa’s leading providers of pay-tv, broadband internet and VoIP services. Last year the company raised US$57.5 million in growth capital from a group of international investors.
Read moreThis is the startup story of Njeri Rionge one of Kenya's most celebrated serial entrepreneurs. Njeri is truly passionate about growing businesses and igniting potential and believes in Africa being the next economic frontier.
Read moreIn '168 Hours', Laura Vanderkam gives us a unique and refreshing perspective on how to live life to the full and do the things we really want and need to do. She offers a different approach to managing our lives and activities one week (168 hours) at a time, rather than trying to cram too much into a 24-hour day, often with stressful and disappointing consequences.
Read more“Emerging feminine strength, combined with the fact that women have operated without the traditional means of power at their disposal, gives them the insight into how to win in Entrepreneur Country.”
— Julie Meyer is an American-born entrepreneur, investor, business adviser, networking expert, broadcaster, and business commentator. She is the founder and Chief Executive of Ariadne Capital and the Managing Partner of Ariadne Capital Entrepreneurs Fund (ACE). She is the founder of Entrepreneur Country and was the co-founder of First Tuesday sold in July 2000 to Yazam, a subsidiary of Jerusalem Global, for $50 million. Julie is also one of the two dragons on the BBC’s Dragons' Den online.
Read moreOn leadership....
“As a leader it is more important to be respected than liked."
- Dorcas Muthoni, an entrepreneur and computer scientist, is the CEO and founder of OPENWORLD LTD (www.openworld.co.ke), a software company she started at the age of 24. OPENWORLD is now a leading e-Government and Business Software Services firm in the Eastern Africa region.
Read moreIn Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg the chief operating officer of Facebook examines why women’s progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled, explains the root causes, and offers compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.
Read moreLoA recently had the opportunity to sit down with Stafford and hear his views on the need for inventive entrepreneurs.
- Stafford Masie is a technology entrepreneur who is most famous for establishing Google’s South African presence. Stafford is a self-confessed serial entrepreneur and is currently involved in several leading edge technology start-ups.
Read moreLoA had the opportunity to speak with Rowan on a recent trip to South Africa. He shared his thoughts on the importance of business innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Rowan Gibson is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought leaders on business innovation. The media have labeled him “Mr. Innovation”
Read more“We may not be able to witness our own eulogy, but we’re actually writing it all the time, every day.”
- Arianna Huffington, from her book Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
Read moreRadio Netherlands Worldwide Africa recently conducted an interview with Twenty-nine-year old Teta Isibo, a self-taught designer and the founder of Inzuki Designs. This young Rwandan brand specializes in handmade jewellery, accessories and interior decor made from local materials.
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