Ethel Cofie - The startup story of a pioneering Ghanaian tech entrepreneur

January 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana — Ethel Cofie, founder Edel Consultancy, Ghana

Ethel Cofie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the highly competitive and traditionally male dominated tech industry on the African continent. Through her own business building efforts, and as a successful network builder for pan-African women in tech, she is helping to change the face of the industry, breaking down barriers to entry along the way.

Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja – The start up story of a unique Rwandan eco-brand that is creating trendy accessories from upcycled waste

January 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Monica Umwari, co-founder of Angaza, Rwanda — **Monica Umwari**, co-founder of Angaza, Rwanda

Two young Rwandan eco-preneurs are showing the world that great design combined with a passion for finding environmentally friendly ways of dealing with the country’s non-biodegradable waste, can create something beautiful. Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja have founded a young and funky eco-brand, Angaza, producing fashionable and highly desirable accessories made from upcycled waste products.

Kofo Akinkugbe's SecureID Nigeria launches first of a kind bank and identity card manufacturing plant in Sub-Saharan Africa

January 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Kofo Akinkugbe, founder and CEO of SecureID, Nigeria — **Kofo Akinkugbe**, founder and CEO of SecureID, Nigeria

Kofo Akinkugbe the founder of SecureID in Nigeria has launched the first EMV Plant in Sub-Saharan Africa that enables the local production of SIM cards, and SIM packages for the telecoms industry, bank payment cards and other high security polycarbonate identity cards.

South African Natural Skincare Entrepreneur launches new Naturals Beauty range specially for kids

January 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Following on from the hugely successful launch of her Naturals Beauty R&R Baby Range, South African natural skincare entrepreneur, Tanya du Bois, has just launched another great range, this time for kids.

Entrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Being a good communicator improves your chances of success

January 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Being a good communicator improves your chances of success as an entrepreneur ....

“Being able to communicate with people at different levels has probably benefited me most in my career.”

- 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. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.

Dr Jennifer Riria – The start up story of an inspiring entrepreneur who has transformed the lives of millions of Kenyan women

January 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding — **Dr. Jennifer Riria**, Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding

If there is one woman that is proof positive of the power of individual entrepreneurs to make a difference, it is Dr Jennifer Riria. She has singlehandedly transformed the microfinance industry in Kenya in order to tangibly improve the lives of women. Because of her efforts, hundreds of thousands of Kenyan women now have access to finance, previously not available to them.

Essential Read: ‘Entrepreneurial Strengths Finder’ by Jim Clifton and Sangeeta Bharadwaj Badal

January 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sangeeta Bharadwaj Badal and Jim Clifton, co-authors of 'Entrepreneurial Strengths Finder' — **Sangeeta Bharadwaj Badal and** **Jim Clifton**, co-authors of 'Entrepreneurial Strengths Finder'

Entrepreneurial Strengths Finder is a really interesting read for any entrepreneur that is trying to understand how best to achieve business success and to identify those traits that make success more of a possibility. This book focuses on the psychology of the entrepreneur, understanding what drives entrepreneurs to start a business venture in the first place, and thereafter sustain and grow it into a successful company. It examines the critical personality characteristics and behaviors that lead to business venture creation and success, and asks key questions about whether an entrepreneur is born, or can learn the skills required.

5 Ways of Being a Happier Healthier Entrepreneur in 2015

January 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Okay, it is the start of a new year and, as entrepreneurs, we are all busy motivating ourselves and making our resolutions to be firmly stuck to over the year ahead. Our energy levels are up after the holidays, we are full of enthusiasm, and everything seems possible again. So, how do we ensure that once this initial new year upbeat euphoria has begun to wane, we are still able to be happy, healthy, productive and focused people for the rest of the year, and achieve our goals? Here are our 5 top tips for beating stress and achieving a level of happiness, health and motivation in 2015.

Hottest Handbags on the Planet – Now Woman-Made in Africa

January 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Hanneli Rupert, Zainab Ashadu, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Buki Akib, Abai Schulze — L-R: Hanneli Rupert, Zainab Ashadu, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Buki Akib, Abai Schulze

2015 looks set to be an exciting year for African luxury brands, with many confidently announcing themselves on the global scene with a bang. If your weakness is handbags, then there is no better time to add a luxurious, hand-crafted African-made piece to your collection. Meet 5 fresh, women-led brands who are successfully re-interpreting ancient design, centuries-old craftsmanship and unique materials into the perfect Afro-luxe accessory. All crafted sustainably, produced ethically and rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility. What's not to love!

Entrepreneur Advice from Pam Golding: Women must trust their special skill .... INTUITION

January 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ladies, trust your female intuition....

“Never doubt we women have a special skill - one that we call intuition … it’s that inner voice that will be your strongest mentor.”

- Pam Golding is one of Africa's most successful women entrepreneurs and an icon of the real estate industry. She founded Pam Golding Properties in South Africa in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a single sales assistant. The company now has over 300 offices in Africa as well as international offices in the UK, Germany, France and Mauritius. It is one of South Africa’s largest independent property trading companies with 2010 turnover of US$1.7 billion. Pam is now retired from active management, but remains the Life President of the company she founded.

7 Young African women entrepreneurs drive a new eco-spirit on the continent

January 7, 2015 Melanie Hawken

WeCyclers, Nigeria

MitiMeth, Nigeria

Afrocentric Bamboo, Ghana

EcoPost, Kenya

Repurpose Schoolbags, South Africa

An adventurous, new eco-spirit is emerging from Africa and it is being spearheaded by a young generation of women entrepreneurs who are committed to making a difference to the sustainable future of the continent. Meet 7 such women who are making a major impact on society.

Quote of the Day

January 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sara Abera, founder of Muya, Ethiopia — **Sara Abera**, founder of Muya, Ethiopia

"Recent history has had a negative impact on the world's perception of Ethiopia," adds Sara. "By exporting our cultural heritage and know-how, we hope to show the world that there is much more to our country than drought and food shortages."

- Sara Abera founded Muya Ethiopia in 2005 to introduce the world to the rich heritage of traditional Ethiopian weaving, whilst incorporating modern design trends. Sara also wanted to bring together and retrain Ethiopian weavers and craftsmen, so they could work in improved conditions, supplying high-end markets in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Sara employees over 120 craftsmen and women in Addis Ababa. Her socially-responsible model resulted in Muyo becoming the first Ethiopian company to obtain the coveted International Fair Trade Association membership.

Quote of the Day

January 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

"There is also a cultural bias; most people in our society still believe that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. On average, people don’t take women seriously. It can be challenging to get people to listen to me and I need to be either very persuasive or assertive."

- Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur, and the inspiring founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya's huge plastic waste problem. In 2009 she founded her company, which collects plastic waste and manufactures commercially viable, highly durable, and importantly environmentally friendly fencing posts, used widely across Kenya. In 2011, Lorna was recognised by the prestigious Cartier Women's Initiative Awards as their laureate for sub-Saharan Africa.