Dibo Ndumbe-Eyoh, a Cameroonian entrepreneur building an award-winning luxury fashion brand

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh is the co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African brand in Cameroon. Eloli means "it is beautiful" in Bafaw, a language spoken in Cameroon. This unique brand has featured in publications like Vogue and Elle and has been worn by numerous celebrities. Dibo founded the business in 2012 with her sisters Sume and Fese, and it now employs 15 full-time employees, many of whom are young women and mothers. The brand also works with various local artisans and skilled tailors. Dibo has almost 20 years of business experience working internationally for leading banks and other financial services as well as consultancy firms.

Charlotte Flavienne Binya, an innovative agri-food processing entrepreneur from Cameroon

July 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Charlotte Binya, founder, Country Foods SARL (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Charlotte Binya is the founder of Country Foods SARL which is an agri-food company based in Douala, Cameroon, producing products such as fish, pork, beef sausages, natural jams, natural fruit juices and peanut butter. Holder of an engineering diploma in transformation and quality control of fishery products, Charlotte is also a trainer in the food industry and delivers several training courses in the food industry, as well as with international organizations, individuals or companies wishing to update their teams in the food industry.

Leila Kigha, a Cameroonian entrepreneur on a mission to help women build legacy brands

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Leila Kigha, founder and ceo, KARA Group of Companies (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Leila Kigha is the founder and ceo of the KARA Group of Companies in Cameroon. She is a seasoned journalist turned entrepreneur on a mission to help women embrace their authentic selves so that they can show up and impact the world confidently. The Kara Group of Companies is an expression of her love and passion for helping women build legacy brands, the African print and shoes. The brand was born five years ago and is steadily growing and looks forward to employing and empowering more women from the local communities. She has over 15 years’ experience as a broadcast journalist, PR person and event organizer.

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy, a techpreneur and girls STEM education advocate in Cameroon

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy, founder of GirlsTEK Global (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Fonyuy Videc Leinyuy is the founder of GirlsTEK Global in Cameroon. She is a techpreneur and an advocate for developing more girls in the field of technology. Her passion for educating and empowering young people, especially girls with digital skills, led to the creation of her organisation GirlsTEK Global in 2017.

Kah Walla, a Cameroonian solution-driven entrepreneur and political leader

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

STRATEGIES!, a consultancy firm specializing in leadership and management solutions

Kah Walla is a Political Leader, Activist and Entrepreneur from Cameroon. She is the founder and CEO of the 26-year old consulting firm, STRATEGIES! and the current president of the Cameroon People’s Party (CPP) she joined in 2010. In 2011, she became the first woman to ever run for President of the Republic of Cameroon. She has been recognized with several awards: The Vital Voices Global Leadership Award in public Life (2012), the DVF Award (2014), and the Vital Voices Vanguard Award (2015).

Hortense Mbea, a Cameroonian entrepreneur building an African lifestyle brand

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Hortense Mbea, founder, Afropian (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Hortense Mbea is a professional interpreter as well as a creative entrepreneur from Cameroon and the founder of lifestyle brand Afropian which was launched in 2017 in in Addis Ababa. A true nomad and multicultural woman, she was born in the USA and lived in many countries, while always staying very connected to Africa. The Afropian brand is Pan African and it gave Hortense the opportunity to bring together her passion for art and creativity and her mission to promote African excellence and unity. She gained international recognition with coverage from Vogue Italy, was invited to take part in prestigious events such as Addis Ababa Fashion Week and many shows and panels. Her vision is for the world to «Wear Africa Proudly », which is the motto of her brand. She fulfills her mission by providing quality, unique pieces which tell many stories of African tradition and are 100% Made in Africa.

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, an entrepreneur from Cameroon creating renewable energy solutions

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Soukaina Bouba Dalil, founder and CEO, Energie d’Afrique (Cameroon)

Startup Story

As the founder and CEO of Energie d’Afrique, Soukaina Bouba Dalil is an engineer in renewable energy. She is 26 years old and comes from the far north region of Cameroon, a rather vulnerable part of the country. It is important to know that the effects of climate change in this part of the region are unavoidable on crops, water and energy resources. As an advocate of sustainable development, Soukaina felt challenged and this is where the idea of her entrepreneurial adventure started in order to meet primary needs and bring sustainable economic and ecological solutions in areas with energy deficits. The company is young, dynamic and is deployed all over the country, and its activities fully contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives.

Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur, transforming homes and spaces in Cameroon

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Manuela Kamadjou, founder, Kebe Home (Cameroon)

Startup Story

After finishing business school, Manuela Kamadjou started her career in Finance in a Big Four company. She then shifted to the cosmetics industry in search of more reality! An entrepreneur since 2019, Manuela founded Kebe Home, a passion project that became an interior laboratory and whose mission is to use the power of design and culture to inspire people.

Nicoline Bole, an entrepreneur from Cameroon crafting beautiful shoes for women with larger feet

October 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd (United Kingdom / Cameroon)

Startup Story

As any woman who has larger feet will tell you, it can be a real challenge trying to find shoes that not only look beautiful, but are also well crafted and comfortable to wear. Entrepreneur Nicoline Bole, founder of Bolnique Ltd based in London, has the solution. Her uniquely created designs are appealing to all those discerning women customers who want luxury shoes that actually fit larger feet.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.