For decades, the world’s discerning shoe lovers have turned to European and US design labels to satisfy their desires for beautiful, handcrafted shoes - but now, Africa is staking a claim on the global footwear map, thanks to a new generation of trendy and creative designers from the continent. Their bold and innovative designs are grabbing attention and winning new fans.
Read moreWomen funding women and the rise of gender-lens micro-finance in Africa
L-R: Dr Jennifer Riria, Essma Ben Hamida, Dr Victoria Kisyombe
The rise of gender-lens and social impact investing could be a real game changer in Africa where traditionally, access to finance still remains a key challenge for women in business. There’s a great quote by Melinda Gates, Co-Chair, of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the USA. She says: “If you invest in a girl or a woman, you are investing in everybody else.” That is certainly the case in Africa where women feel a sense of inherent responsibility to give back to and uplift their communities.
Read moreMeet 20 women entrepreneurs who are spearheading a new entrepreneurial spirit in Rwanda
Rwanda has recently been ranked the Best Place to be a Woman in Africa, according to the Global Gender Gap Report, and ranked 6th overall in the world in terms of closing gender gaps. It is also one of the most encouraging and supportive places to be a woman entrepreneur in Africa. Rwanda is highly progressive in seeing entrepreneurship as a key driver for transformation, economic development and business growth in the country, particularly for women. Here are 20 of the inspirational women entrepreneurs in the country who have captured our attention.
Read moreApril is Focus on Women Fashionpreneurs Month
Africa’s creative women fashionpreneurs are putting the continent on the global map through their unique designs and approach to entrepreneurship and all this month Lionesses of Africa is celebrating the continent’s leading women in the business of fashion.
Read moreMeet 28 African Women Entrepreneurs Changing the Face of the Beauty and Wellness Industry
In the world of beauty and wellness, there is a huge interest right now in products and services that celebrate the essence of Africa’s unique natural resources and ingredients, whilst at the same time harnessing traditional skills and up-to-the-minute knowledge of leading women innovators in the industry. These game-changers are changing the face of the beauty and wellness industry in Africa, and creating fabulous new, proudly African products and brands in the process that the world wants to buy and use. Some of the names and brands are well-known - others are new to the scene - but all of them are capturing the imaginations of consumers across the continent, and indeed the world.
Read moreMeet 20 African women EcoWarriors building companies and community projects to save the planet
The world is facing more environmental challenges today than ever before, and Africa is feeling the harsh impact of many of these problems, from environmental degradation and deforestation, to shrinking water supplies, threats to biodiversity, lack of affordable green housing, and waste management issues. Innovative and effective solutions are needed and increasing attention is now being paid to the role that women entrepreneurs are playing on the continent in helping to provide possible solutions to many of these environmental problems, whilst at the same time creating jobs and opportunities for communities to thrive.
Read moreValentine's Day celebrated in true #WomanMadeinAfrica style
Every lioness needs a little love in their lives, and also to share a little love, so this Valentine's Day weekend, we are celebrating the power of romance and suggesting a few fabulous gift ideas, created by the talented women entrepreneurs and artisans in the Lionesses of Africa community. From the smallest of gifts in the form of handmade confectionery, to the extravagant gestures of love expressed in jewellery, our fabulous women entrepreneurs have something for everyone.
Read moreMeet 22 women entrepreneurs redefining African luxury and exciting the world with Afroluxe brands
Africa’s women entrepreneurs and luxury brand builders are turning their attention to the growing global appetite for luxury products that also have a strong back-story. They are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. These women are putting Africa on the global map with their exquisitely made and proudly Afroluxe products that are winning legions of new fans.
Read moreMeet 8 women building Africa's trendiest baby and children's clothing brands
If you’re in the market for trendy, quality-assured clothing and accessory products for your children, be sure to look out for these amazing female entrepreneurs and their equally impressive clothing lines. With a unified ethos focused on bolstering African design, production and employment, you’re guaranteed to have your little one strutting around the playground in some pretty slick and ethical threads.
Read moreThe 50 best pieces of advice we featured in 2015 from some of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs
We have all been there at some point in our entrepreneurial lives. That pivotal point when we need sound advice or reassurance from another woman entrepreneur who has been there, done it, got the T Shirt, and experienced all the business challenges and hurdles, emerging with the essential wisdom and experience we need to share. Learn, be inspired, and take comfort from those women who have blazed an entrepreneurial trail before you.
Read moreMeet 17 inspiring US women social entrepreneurs who have built game changing enterprises impacting Africa positively
As part of Lionesses of Africa's month-long celebration of social entrepreneurs who are making a real difference in Africa, we are profiling some of the women social entrepreneurs from the US who have stood out for us over the last year. Their passion for the continent, combined with their desire to solve some of the biggest challenges in Africa, can be seen in the real impact that these women social entrepreneurs are making. Often collaborating with inspirational women on the ground in countries across the African continent, they are creating new and exciting business opportunities for women artisans, stimulating micro-entrepreneurship ventures that empower women in local communities, and improving and uplifting people's lives. We salute all these inspirational social change-makers and the women they collaborate with!
Read moreMeet 38 Women Social Entrepreneurs who made a major impact in Africa in 2015
Social entrepreneurs are making a tangible difference to improving the lives and economic prospects of Africa’s most needy people and communities. To celebrate the inspirational work of Africa’s leading women social entrepreneurs, during the month of January we will be sharing the remarkable stories of some of those making a real impact and looking back at those women social entrepreneurs whose contribution made such a difference in 2015.
Read more48 Wonderful holiday season gift ideas, handcrafted and ‘Woman-Made in Africa’
To celebrate this holiday season in true entrepreneurial style, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite gift ideas, all beautifully and proudly Woman-Made in Africa, and many of them featured by Lionesses of Africa over the past year. From inspirational award-winning accessories; to some of the world's finest decor items; to jewellery crafted by talented women artisans; to beauty products and perfumes that are inspired by the natural beauty of our continent; and finally to food and drink gifting ideas that would grace any table. We love them all, and the great news is that they are all available to buy online.
Read moreThis December, Lionesses of Africa celebrates Africa’s inspiring Healthpreneurs
December is Focus on Africa’s Women Healthpreneurs. Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on a particular industry sector where Africa’s women entrepreneurs are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. This month (December), we are turning our attention to the women who are tackling the continent's significant health challenges through their businesses, their innovations, and their social health enterprises.
Read moreThis November, Lionesses of Africa celebrates Africa’s creative food and drink entrepreneurs and brand builders
Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on a particular industry sector where Africa’s women entrepreneurs are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. This November we are turning our attention to the women who are changing the face of the food and drink industry in Africa, and creating new products, building new brands, and launching exciting food and drink retail concepts in the process.
Read moreIt's All About Dignity: 'Now I Have My Own Toilet'
"Now I have my own toilet!" That was the incredulous reply Gift Dick-Tom gave Megan Chapman, when asked what she liked most about her new home. Her family of seven had recently moved from Marine Base "waterside" settlement in Port Harcourt to the Passive House Prototypes (PHPs).
Read moreSocial enterprise Abury announces the release of its first ADEX Winner Accessories Collection, created by talented Zimbabwean designer, Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri
Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, founder Vanhu Vamwe
On 28 October in Berlin, social enterprise Abury, and creator of the first global contest in search of the best accessories design talent worldwide, the ABURY Design Experience, announced the first collection of handmade handbags made by artisans in Ecuador and designed by the winner of the 2015 contest, Zimbabwean designer, PamSamasuwo-Nyawiri.
Read moreOctober 2015 Image of the Day Gallery: FREE e-Book celebrating Lionesses of Africa through the power of images
The October 2015 edition of the Image of the Day Gallery e-book is out today! They say that a picture says a thousand words, and we couldn't agree more. At Lionesses of Africa, we love the powerful images that conjure up the spirit of women-owned businesses and the products and services they create. These images give us an insight into the unique creativity that exists here in Africa and that is capturing the imagination of the world.
Read moreEnter and win great prizes: Help us to imagine a bank designed by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs!
As an entrepreneur, have you ever thought that banks are not exactly designed to meet your needs, or don't really understand what it is like being an entrepreneur and the challenges you face each day? Well, here is your chance to imagine what the ideal entrepreneur-centric bank would look like - enter this exciting new competition and win great prizes for your ideas.
Read moreElizabeth Holmes founder of Theranos gets women helping other women
Elizabeth Holmes speaks to emerging women leaders in STEM from 21 countries in Africa, Central Asia & the Middle East. These 100 women pledged to be #ironsisters: women helping 100 other women so as to impact 10,000.
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