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Absa Bank wins Euromoney Award for Excellence as South Africa’s Best Bank for SMEs

July 20, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Award Winner

Absa Bank has been recognised by the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024, and awarded the accolade of South Africa's Best Bank for SMEs. The Euromoney Awards are the definitive annual awards programme for the banking industry, celebrating the achievements of banks and bankers from across the globe. Over 600 banks from over 100 countries enter the Awards for Excellence every year, making it the most comprehensive awards programme in the industry.

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PODCAST: Chinwe Ohajuruka shares what winning the Cartier Women's Award means to her

October 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Chinwe Ohajuruka founder of Comprehensive Design Services at the 2015 Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Ceremony

Chinwe Ohajuruka founder of Comprehensive Design Services at the 2015 Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Ceremony

Chinwe Ohajuruka, 52, lives in the United States and is of Nigerian heritage. Her 3 degrees in architecture and 3 accreditations in green building led to the creation of Comprehensive Design Services, a company that provides “comprehensive solutions to complex problems”, as Chinwe explains. She received her Cartier Women's Award in Paris on 15 October 2015 and in this interview she describes what it means to her personally and for her business moving forward.

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Wangechi Mwangi founder of Kenyan fintech startup Valuraha, has been awarded the 2015 Global Social Impact Award by GSEA

April 28, 2015 Melanie Hawken
(Centre) Wangechi Mwangi, co-founder and chief executive officer of Valuraha (Kenya)

(Centre) Wangechi Mwangi, co-founder and chief executive officer of Valuraha (Kenya)

On April 17th the US-based Entrepreneurs' Organization's (EO) Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), the premier global competition honoring the top student entrepreneurs who have founded and are running revenue-generating businesses, named Wangechi Mwangi, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Kenyan fintech startup Valuraha, as winner of the Global Social Impact Award. The award gala took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

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3 Inspiring women recognised at Ugandan MTN Awards

April 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Kembambazi Sabiiti, Lindsay Handler and Barbara Ofwono

L-R: Kembambazi Sabiiti, Lindsay Handler and Barbara Ofwono

This month, Uganda is celebrating the achievements of three inspirational women, all recognised by the prestigious 2015 MTN Women in Business Awards. Barbara Ofwono, founder of Victorious Schools took home the much coveted overall award of MTN Women in Business SME CEO of the Year, applauded for her outstanding use of MTN Business’s overall service and value propositions to grow her business substantially.

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3 Incredible women included in Schwab Foundation's Africa 'Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2015' Award

April 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken
L-R: Katherine Lucey of Solar Sister, Christie Peacock of Sidai Africa, Sharanjeet Shan of Maths Centre

L-R: Katherine Lucey of Solar Sister, Christie Peacock of Sidai Africa, Sharanjeet Shan of Maths Centre

Thirty-one social entrepreneurs have been recognized by the Schwab Foundation as awardees of the 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Three of the four awardees for Africa are women who are each making an incredibly positive social impact on the continent. Meet them here....

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Young Namibian woman entrepreneur selected as a Young Global Leader for Sub Saharan Africa by the World Economic Forum

March 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Ally Angula, co-founder Leap Investments & My Republik

Ally Angula, co-founder Leap Investments & My Republik

Congratulations to Namibian serial entrepreneur, Ally Angula, who has been chosen as one of the 17 Sub Saharan Members on the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) by the World Economic Forum. Ally co-founded Leap Investments in Namibia and South Africa, an integrated group of companies involved in the growing of fresh produce, garment manufacturing and retail. She also recently launched Namibia's first commercial clothing brand, My Republik.

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Celebrating Our Community: Missibaba take home the 'Maker to Market' Award at the annual Southern Guild Design Foundation Awards

March 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Chloe Townsend and Lizel Strydom, founders of Missibaba

Chloe Townsend and Lizel Strydom, founders of Missibaba

Congratulations to Missibaba who took home the 'Maker to Market' award in recognition of excellence at the annual Southern Guild Design Foundation Awards ceremony that took place recently. Missibaba is a luxury accessory label established by leather devotee Chloe Townsend in 2005. Passionate about South Africa and supporting local industry, Chloe works alongside business partner Lizel Strydom from a light flooded studio in Woodstock, Cape Town.

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Vogue Italia 'Scouting for Africa' final shortlist includes 3 talented women designers

January 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Akosua Afriyie-Kumi (Ghana), Loza Maléombho (Ivory Coast), Katherine-Mary Pichulik (South Africa)

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi (Ghana), Loza Maléombho (Ivory Coast), Katherine-Mary Pichulik (South Africa)

Vogue Italia has announced the final shortlist for its "Scouting for Africa" contest, an event organized by Vogue Talents in collaboration with the International Business Consortium Nigeria Limited. Included on the final shortlist of 11 designers are 3 of Lionesses of Africa's favourite women designers on the continent, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi of AAKS in Ghana, Loza Maléombho from Ivory Coast, and Pichulik by Katherine-Mary Pichulik from South Africa. We wish all three women the very best of luck in winning the ultimate accolade and prizes.

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Ellen Chilemba founder of Malawian social enterprise Tiwale is a winner of Ashoka's 'Youth Innovations for Employment in Africa Challenge'

January 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Ellen Chilemba, founder and director of Tiwali, Malawi

Ellen Chilemba, founder and director of Tiwali, Malawi

Congratulations to Ellen Chilemba the founder of Tiwali, a social enterprise in Malawi, for being one of the five winners of Ashoka's Future Forward: Youth Innovations for Employment in Africa challenge.

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique
Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands
Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa

LIONESS DATA & INSIGHTS


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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf

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