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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

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Alinafe Fridah Mapwesera, a leading bridalwear and bespoke fashion designer in Malawi

March 31, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Alinafe Fridah Mapwesera, founder, Nanas (Malawi)

Startup Story

Alinafe Fridah Mapwesera is the founder of Nanas closet in Malawi, a business launched in 2014 and creating beautiful bridal dresses and other bespoke wear for those memorable wedding occasions. Customers have come to know Alinafe for creating beautiful wedding dresses that celebrate African culture and she sells her designs all over the world. She happily mixes elegance with different cultures in her designs, whilst always taking care of the environmental impact of her work which is important to Alinafe. For example, she gave away 100 dresses to kids made from old materials. Her work is about making things well, keeping traditions alive, and helping the planet.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Fashion
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Victoria Mwafulirwa, a Malawian agripreneur empowering local out-growers

September 17, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Victoria Mwafulirwa

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Homes Industries Ltd, an impact creating agribusiness in Malawi generating economic opportunities for small-holder farmers

Victoria Mwafulirwa is an award winning agripreneur and the founder and Managing Director of Homes Industries Ltd, an agro-processing company located in Karonga District, in the northern region of Malawi. The company, which was established in March 2015, works with over 2500 smallholder farmers in an out-grower scheme that grows sunflower, rice and groundnuts. Homes Industries Ltd manufactures cold pressed sunflower oil and peanut flour (Nsinjiro). It also processes and packages brown and regular white Kilombero rice. Recently, Homes Industries Ltd added the ‘Homes Peanut Butter’ to its product line. The newly introduced nutritious peanut paste, aims at creating enjoyment for the whole family. The company employs 11 people.

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In Cover Story Tags Malawi, Agri-business
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Daphne Kasambala, an entrepreneur in Malawi building a wholesale marketplace for African creatives

August 6, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Daphne Kasambala, founder and CEO, Meekono (Malawi)

Startup Story

Daphne Kasambala is the founder and CEO of Meekono, a wholesale marketplace for African creatives seeking global trading opportunities. A multifaceted entrepreneur and former corporate banker with experience gained with major institutions in Europe and Africa, Daphne is a relentless problem-solver and collaborator who is determined to play a key role in putting African creativity on the map. Daphne considers herself a global citizen, and has recently returned after many years abroad to focus on growing her business. One of Daphne’s proudest moments was scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for a revolving micro-loan facility for African women micro-entrepreneurs. Her business was launched in 2021 and today employs 5 people.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Artisan Enterprise
Comment

Rebecca C. Sani, a Malawian entrepreneur building an organizational development consulting business

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Rebecca C. Sani, founder & Managing Director Resani Consulting (Malawi)

Startup Story

Rebecca C. Sani is the Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Consultant of Resani Consulting in Malawi. The name Resani incorporates her first name and her father's name as a tribute to his contribution to her professional development. She started off as an independent consultant who realized that she could not achieve the mission of Resani alone and therefore expanded her team. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Management (USA), an MBA in Finance (USA) and a Master of Management (DISTINCTION, USA). She is passionate about building teams and helping organizations run more efficiently. She is also the Financial Director and Board Member of Good Shepherd International School.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Business Services, People Management
Comment

Alexina Phiri, a global women’s rights change-maker in Africa and the world

October 16, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Alexina Phiri, founder and ceo, Adona Foundation

Startup Story

Alexina Phiri is the founder and ceo of Adona Foundation, a global women’s rights organisation that aims to inspire, empower and educate girls and women across the world.. She is a lawyer with over seven years of experience in implementing international-level policy to tackle issues such as human rights, governance and counter terrorism. Her most recent role was with the UK’s Department for International Trade. As a British Diplomat at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Alexina spearheaded international summits including the Africa Investment Summit in 2019 and COP26 in 2021. She is a former Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia (2019) and Acting Deputy British High Commissioner to Botswana (2020).

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Women's Empowerment
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Lee Billy Chisale, a wellness and beauty brand-builder in Malawi

September 25, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lee Billy Chisale

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Belle Afrique, a market leader promoting healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments in Malawi

Lee Billy Chisale is the founder and ceo of Belle Afrique in Malawi, a business that promotes healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments. She is an experienced entrepreneur with a focus on promoting wellness in the pan-African market. She founded the business over 20 years ago in 2001 and now employs 15 people. She is a stomatologist with a background in accounting and business management. Today, Belle Afrique provides outstanding clinical and client relations skills for delivering advanced services in aesthetics wellness and training education in the wellness and hospitality industry.

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In Cover Story Tags Malawi, Beauty & Wellness
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Lioness Launch / Top Malawian fashion label launches its new 100 Year Plan Collection

August 21, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lilly Alfonso

Lioness Launch

The Lilly Alfonso fashion design label, created by its founder of the same name, has evolved over the years to become one of the top fashion labels in Malawi and is slowly becoming a global fashion brand. Building on its success to date, the Lilly Alfonso brand is introducing an exciting new clothing collection for men and women called the 100 Year Plan collection.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Malawi, Lilly Alfonso, Fashion
Comment

Kulukaya Sadiki, a sustainable fashion designer making an impact in Malawi

June 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken
Kulukaya Sadiki, founder, Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio (Malawi)

Kulukaya Sadiki, founder, Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio (Malawi)

Startup Story

The fashion sector is one of the most important sectors from a job creation and economic contribution perspective, and for Kulukaya Sadiki, founder of Glo-Ray Designs Sustainable Studio in Malawi, sustainable fashion is key. Her business approach is to incorporate fabric recycling and reuse into the production process to create timeless fashion pieces with minimal environmental impact.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Fashion
Comment

Jessica Mkondiwa, an entrepreneur in Malawi creating an on-demand clothing business and creating jobs

May 16, 2021 Melanie Hawken
Jessica Mkondiwa, CEO, Malawi Luxury Inc

Jessica Mkondiwa, CEO, Malawi Luxury Inc

Startup Story

Jessica Mkondiwa is a CEO of Malawi Luxury Inc, a ‘print on demand’ clothing line in Malawi. She started the business in September 2019 with the help of her friend, Harrison Soko, with whom she shared ideas and joined together. It has been almost two years so far and she has employed 15 people in the business, of which 91% of them are Malawians.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Business Services
Comment

Angellah Manda, a Malawian entrepreneur who is turning crocheting into a clothing manufacturing business 

December 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet (Malawi)

Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet (Malawi)

Startup Story

Crocheting is an art that many Malawians are taught at an early age, but for Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet, she was inspired to take the craft to the next level and into business. Today, her beautifully crafted crochet garments and accessories are desirable fashion items by her growing customer base.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Artisan Enterprise, Fashion
Comment

Lioness Launch / Lilly Alfonso launches new safety combo packages

August 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Lilly Alfonso

Lilly Alfonso

Lioness Launch

Covid-19 has created the need to innovate and produce new products that help people to protect themselves in their daily lives. This challenge inspired multi-award winning Malawian fashion designer, Lilly Alfonso, to create a new range of safety combo packages, combining practical products such as face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers.

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In Lioness Launch Tags Malawi, Fashion, Covid-19 Response
Comment

Linda Khumbanyiwa, a Malawian womenswear brand-builder celebrating local heritage and craftsmanship

June 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Linda Khumbanyiwa, founder of Lynne Kayenne Studio (Malawi)

Linda Khumbanyiwa, founder of Lynne Kayenne Studio (Malawi)

Startup Story

Creative entrepreneurs are often inspired by their cultural heritage, and for Linda Khumbanyiwa, founder of Lynne Kayenne Studio, that was certainly the case. Her inspiration came from Malawi, the country of her birth, and a deep desire to change people’s perceptions of it, through her creative work.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Fashion
Comment

Lilly Alfonso, a renowned Malawian fashion brand builder 

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Lilly Alfonso

Lilly Alfonso

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Lilly Alfonso is a renowned and credible fashion brand with over ten years of experience in fashion and design. Its founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso, is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributions to the fashion industry. The unique and high-quality garments she designs have been showcased on numerous runways such as: Kigali, Cairo, Paris, London, Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona. The Lilly Alfonso Brand has two flagship labels; men’s wear collection is under the LAmann Label while, Women’s wear collection is under the LAwomann Label. Lilly Alfonso introduced a sporting collection under LAsport which is still under development.

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In Cover Story Tags Malawi, Fashion
Comment

LIONESS LAUNCH: Malawian luxury fashionpreneur Lilly Alfonso launches her LA Sport Brand

July 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Lilly Alfonso

Lilly Alfonso

Successful Malawian fashion designer and entrepreneur, Lilly Alfonso, best known for her globally recognised and award-winning couture collections that regularly grace the world’s top fashion runways, is launching an exciting and very different collection this month. Her LA Sport brand is an uber trendy designer sportswear brand, featuring a range of gym attire, hoodies and sports jerseys, and can be worn both to the gym and also as stylish leisurewear. 

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In Lioness Launch Tags Malawi, Fashion
Comment

Wezi Moyo, a Malawian serial entrepreneur growing multiple businesses and a reputation for success

February 2, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Wezi Moyo, founder of Benequity Consultancy and Hillside Lodge (Malawi)

Wezi Moyo, founder of Benequity Consultancy and Hillside Lodge (Malawi)

In Malawi, many women entrepreneurs have not just one business, but several, working on the philosophy that it is better to both spread business risk and increase the chances of success. Wezi Moyo, founder of Benequity Consultancy and Hillside Lodge, is one such woman, demonstrating that it is indeed possible to be a successful serial entrepreneur in the country.

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Hotels & Leisure
Comment

Nita Chivwara, a Malawian entrepreneur with a passion for strategy and advising global companies on doing business in her country 

May 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

For many companies, moving into a new business territory is a challenge, and having access to local insights and advice can be key to success. For entrepreneur Nita Chivwara, her experience as a country strategist and project manager has provided the necessary skills set to offer practical country marketing advice to global business. 

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Business Services
Comment

Blantyre’s women entrepreneurs ‘Lean In’ for business success at the second Lioness Lean In Luncheon in Malawi

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

When women entrepreneurs get together in a spirit of collaboration, great things happen. And, that’s the mission of the Lioness Lean In Events held all across the African continent - to get successful women entrepreneurs to network, share their startup stories, inspire one another and to hopefully do business. The second in the series of the highly popular Lioness Lean In Luncheon events in Malawi took place in Blantyre on Thursday 4th May, once again in partnership with Standard Bank. 

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In Events Tags Lioness Lean In, Malawi
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Lee Chisale, an entrepreneur bringing the world of luxury wellness spas to Malawi

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Lee Chisale, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi)

Lee Chisale, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi)

In Africa, the health and wellness industry is a growing business sector, but in Malawi there was a definite gap for a luxury wellness spa brand in the market. Belle Afrique, the entrepreneurial brainchild of Lee Chisale, is filling that gap with a world class brand and product offering.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Beauty & Wellness, Malawi
1 Comment

Tamala Chirwa, a Malawian entrepreneur coaching and mentoring a new generation of leaders in the country

April 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi)

Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi)

For people in corporate or public life, developing core leadership skills is key to success and career progression, but that often requires specialist coaching and mentoring support. In Malawi, one woman entrepreneur, Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint, is fulfilling that role and bringing specialist coaching programs to those who need them. 

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In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Mentoring, Business Services
Comment

Judith Msonthi, a Malawian entrepreneur leveraging her talents as an MC and presenter to create a business

April 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)

Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)

Every successful event needs a great Master of Ceremonies to keep things moving according to schedule and importantly to keep audiences engaged. In Malawi, one of the most popular MCs currently is Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee, bringing her unique style and personality to enliven any event.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Malawi, Media PR & Communications
1 Comment
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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

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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind
Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con
Image of the Day / Margaux Wong

Sustainable statement jewellery…We love the strong designs of the hugely talented Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong in Burundi. This international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand was found
Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f
Image of the Day / Marabou Essentials

African print accessories…We love the celebration of African printed cloth in these handmade fashion accessories created by South African brand Marabou Essentials, founded by Fentse Mokale. This passion-f
Image of the Day / Oryx Desert Salt

Sustainable salt and pepper…At Lionesses of Africa, we are passionate about supporting  sustainable brands, and a great example is Oryx Desert Salt, founded by Samantha Skyring in South Africa. This growing
Image of the Day / Reform Studio

Sustainable fashion accessories…We love showcasing women business innovators, so this morning we are featuring the work of sustainable lifestyle brand, Reform Studio, an inspirational eco-focused manufacturing
Image of the Day /Femi Handbags

Full Bloom Style…Add a touch of summer florals to your wardrobe with one of the beautiful new Bloom handbags from Femi Handbags in Nigeria, founded by Femi Olayebi. With their eclectic pops of colour, there&rsq
Image of the Day / Melvins Teas

Time for tea…If you love tea, then this Cool Chamomile tea from the Melvins Tea brand, founded by Flora Mutahi in Kenya is just what you need. The brand is part of Melvin Marsh International, the Kenyan-based f
Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind Image of the Day / Yococo

Vegan ice-cream heaven…If you are ice cream lovers like we are here at Lionesses of Africa, you will love the vegan ice cream from Yococo in South Africa, created by the talented Sinenhlanhla Ndlela. She is proving t Image of the Day / The Joinery

Mini Box Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fabric con Image of the Day / Margaux Wong

Sustainable statement jewellery…We love the strong designs of the hugely talented Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong in Burundi. This international, multi-cultural jewellery and accessories brand was found Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Marabou Essentials

African print accessories…We love the celebration of African printed cloth in these handmade fashion accessories created by South African brand Marabou Essentials, founded by Fentse Mokale. This passion-f Image of the Day / Oryx Desert Salt

Sustainable salt and pepper…At Lionesses of Africa, we are passionate about supporting  sustainable brands, and a great example is Oryx Desert Salt, founded by Samantha Skyring in South Africa. This growing Image of the Day / Reform Studio

Sustainable fashion accessories…We love showcasing women business innovators, so this morning we are featuring the work of sustainable lifestyle brand, Reform Studio, an inspirational eco-focused manufacturing Image of the Day /Femi Handbags

Full Bloom Style…Add a touch of summer florals to your wardrobe with one of the beautiful new Bloom handbags from Femi Handbags in Nigeria, founded by Femi Olayebi. With their eclectic pops of colour, there&rsq Image of the Day / Melvins Teas

Time for tea…If you love tea, then this Cool Chamomile tea from the Melvins Tea brand, founded by Flora Mutahi in Kenya is just what you need. The brand is part of Melvin Marsh International, the Kenyan-based f

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs
Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
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

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