The visit of the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to South Africa on Tuesday 28 August as part of her delegation’s tour of three African countries (South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya), provided an unprecedented opportunity to showcase pioneering women’s entrepreneurship on the continent. The prestigious South Africa-UK Business Forum, held in the beautiful city of Cape Town, brought together an audience of captains of industry and leading government officials, for a day of business conversation and networking. Lionesses of Africa together with Future CEOs co-hosted a panel discussion featuring four inspirational women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community representing Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Read moreTayo Bello, a highly creative jewellery designer from Nigeria taking her inspiration from global travel experiences
Tayo Bello, founder of Bello Creations
It takes a huge amount of passion and personal conviction to change careers, and start a business. But Tayo Bello, founder of jewellery design company Bello Creations, successfully made the brave leap from IT specialist to jewellery entrepreneur.
Read moreBernie de Le Cuona, a South African born entrepreneur building a luxury fabric brand that is taking the world by storm
Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona
In the highly discerning world of luxury interiors, global designers and homeowners are always trying to source the most beautiful fabrics and furnishings to create the ultimate living environments. The de Le Cuona luxury fabric brand has built a global reputation at the forefront of this industry, producing some of the finest fabrics on the planet.
Read moreHazel Aggrey-Orleans, a luxury silk fabric and fashion brand builder inspired by her West African heritage
Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder of Eki Orleans
Silk has long been synonymous with the notion of luxury, and for fashionpreneur Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder of Eki Orleans, this was the inspirational starting point for her business. Today, this exciting luxury fashion and fabric brand celebrates the luxurious quality of silk, creating clothing and fabric collections that bring African design to life.
Read moreMimi Shodeinde, a Nigerian entrepreneur pushing the boundaries of the furniture and design world globally
Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs (UK)
Many global consumers have a traditional concept of African design, but creative entrepreneur, Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs, is looking to change all that with her contemporary design outlook. She is demonstrating that African design is not only exciting in a minimal context, particularly when it comes to furniture design, but can also celebrate the best of tradition and technological innovation.
Read moreEva Sonaike - The startup story of an interior and lifestyle brand creator bringing luxury design with a vibrant West-African aesthetic to the UK
Eva Sonaike, founder of Eva Sonaike
There is a growing global interest in African design, textiles and products, and talented Nigerian interior designer and lifestyle brand creator, Eva Sonaike, is taking the world by storm on the back of this trend. Her aim is to position the 'African' aesthetic in the global textiles and interior industry as part of her bigger brand-building picture.
Read moreClare Kagimu - The startup story of a talented Ugandan interior architect bringing her unique design vision to the UK
Clare Kagimu, founder of Phoenix Design (United Kingdom)
Creative entrepreneurs in the interior design and architecture space are by their very nature, highly dynamic individuals with a wonderful eye for detail and a unique way of looking at the world. Clare Kagimu, founder of Phoenix Design, is dynamism personified. As a creative member of the African Diaspora, she showcases the best of her African design talent from her base in the UK, combined with a global perspective and stacks of energy and passion for what she does.
Read moreLaura Nyahuye - The startup story of an avant garde Zimbabwean designer challenging existing notions of jewellery design
Laura Nyahuye, founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe)
There is a real sense of drama about the design work of Laura Nyahuye and her brand, AdornU, who is challenging convention and creating sculptural adornments for the body that speak volumes for the individuality and confidence of the wearer.
Read moreVanhu Vamwe - The startup story of a unique accessory designer whose African heritage is woven into the very fabric of her handbags
Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, founder Vanhu Vamwe
Fashion journalist turned highly successful global accessory designer, Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, understands the power of story-telling in African culture. She is drawing on that inspiration to create highly sculptural, extraordinarily beautiful handbags that are deeply rooted in her African heritage, yet have a fresh, contemporary look. These are unique accessories to treasure.
Read moreZeze Oriaikhi-Sao - The startup story of a passionate African natural beauty product entrepreneur
Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, founder of Malee Natural Science
This is the story of one woman’s journey to create a unique, luxury, natural beauty and skincare brand that has a uniquely African story and essence.
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