There is an immense opportunity for economic growth and social impact by investing in Africa women.
These female entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, transforming industries and inspiring change on the continent.
According to McKinsey, the female economy is the world’s largest emerging market, with the potential to add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.
Furthermore, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurship globally, with approximately 26% of female adults engaged in entrepreneurial activity. Ghana is producing more female entrepreneurs than any other country, with 46% of businesses being owned by women.
To celebrate the ‘growth, the 2019 edition of African Women of Impact by Pleasures Magazine has been released in collaboration with The Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development, with selections of inspirational women entrepreneurs and their companies from across the African continent.
So, to get the ball rolling we are showcasing just 50 of those women entrepreneurs. They are all at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys, and represent a wide range of industry sectors from IT to cosmetics, from fashion to business consulting. However, what they all share in common is a passion for business and a desire to put Ghana on the map when it comes to showcasing not just their own companies and brands, but also the depth of creative and specialist talent in the country.
Akunna Nwala-Akano – Nigerian
• Business: Kuku’s Hair
• Established: 2010
Akunna Nwala-Akano is a renowned beauty entrepreneur, lawyer and tax professional from Nigeria. She has over a decades’ experience in the business of making women look and feel beautiful.
She is the CEO of Kuku’s Luxury Hair Salon and Spa, the CEO of Kuku’s Hair, Nigerias number one luxury human hair retailer, the Nigeria distributor of Schwarzkopf, one of the top salon brands in the world and the Co-Founder of Daryl Teatox, a detox slim tea.
Akunna is also a respected conference speaker and panelist known for sharing entrepreneurial advice at conferences around sub-Saharan Africa.
She has a passion for promoting and collaborating with female entrepreneurs and has anchored several schemes supporting young female entrepreneurs.
Fatima I.Haruna – Nigerian
• Business: Nisa Food & Bakery
• Established: 2014
A graduate of Bayero University, Kano state Nigeria, Chef Fatima I.Haruna (MCFP, HACCP, NCC) Certified From SUNY GFI. Driven by an unflinching passion and determination to rise from her humble beginning to the zenith of her career, Fatima I.Haruna broke all the odds: traditional and cultural bottlenecks to become a Chef, Certified Culinary professional, trainer, Public speaker, Brand Influencer, Radio Presenter of Kitchen Republic with Chef Fatima on YouTube with over 100 episodes, airing from human right radio 101.1Fm Abuja a reality radio and tv talk magazine program.
According to her (Chef Fatima), it started from home. Her mother used to be a small-scale restaurant keeper while her father was a civil servant. She and her siblings used to assist their mother in her small kitchen business where she taught them how to prepare different local dishes. While this was a normal duty especially for the girl child, she took particular interest in the business of cooking, and this was noticed by their mother. Consequently, one day, her mother told her that she would like her to take the business of culinary very serious for she had perceived that she could someday make a fortune out of it. This was against her childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor in the future. Chef Fatima however took her mother’s counsel seriously, and today, the rest is history.
Lilian Muhammad – South African
• Business: Londre Tan
• Established: 2015
Lilian Muhammed’s obsession with bags led to a trip to a leather tannery that changed her life. Her business has 5 divisions in the bag industry. Londre Tan which produces luxury leather bags; LDT Secure Solutions a business that manufactures tamper evidence security bags and seals for money and high valuables handling; LDT Packaging manufacturing smart reusable shopping bags; LDT Branding Solution, a business that specialises in text printing & laser marking; LDT Foundation, a charity that distributes free school bags to disadvantaged children.
Rita Kusi – Ghanaian
• Business: KUSI Consulting
• Established: 2012
Rita Kusi is a Human Resources and Marketing Professional with a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She is the founder and CEO of Keeping “U” Simply Intact (KUSI) Consulting, marketing, training and recruiting company based in the U.S. and in Ghana. She is also the Managing Director of threesixtyGh, a social enterprise company with an online presence showcasing innovative ventures in Ghana and the people behind them.
Rita has 15 yrs. of experience in the field of HR and Marketing and holds a B.Sc. degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz. In 2011, she received a Professional HR course completion certificate from the HR Certification Institute at Pace University and is an active member of The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Global Chapter.
She is the first black woman to hold a directorial position for the largest privately-owned condominiums in the U.S. singlehandedly managing a staff of about 375 employees and eight unions and trades before resigning to relocate to Ghana.
She is a co-facilitator, mentor, and ambassador of RECIRCULATE, a £7m GCRF international collaboration, led by Lancaster University with partners in Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Kenya. Rita is also a Sheroes Foundation committee member.
Dora Enwere – Nigerian
• Business: Dora Aid Foundation & House of slayers
• Established: 2012
In the last seven years, the Dora Aid Foundation has provided support for education and healthcare to the most vulnerable children in Nigeria. Founded in 2012 by Miss Dora Enwere, a 24- year old philanthropist and entrepreneur, the foundation has championed causes and focused its resources on issues revolving around Child Health, Child Education and Advocacy programs.
As an entrepreneur, she founded House of Slayers, a fashion brand created in 2016, to satisfy the fashionable wants of women. It is a brand that focuses on using Fox and real Fur to meet the fashionable needs of women. House of Slayer’s products include; bags, slides, coats , accessories, blankets and other products to be introduced in a couple of weeks.
When she was asked recently of what inspired her, she said “For me, I’m inspired by the word different” you never find me in the crowd or in an over walked path.
Nandy Dlepu – South African
• Business: Mamakashaka
• Established: 2017
Dlepu left her (well-paying) 9-5 at a top creative agency to put her 15 years of creative industry experience to good use when she launched Mamakashaka.
Her creative agency Mamakashaka, isn’t her first entrepreneurial endeavour. She started her career in the television and commercials industry more than 15 years ago and grew from a producer to head of production to Business Unit Director. Meanwhile her passion for entertainment and communication translate into a special flair for bringing people together through her own brands – Joho Moms, The Wknd Social and Feel Good Series. Propelled by the success of these endeavours she founded Mamakashaka in 2016.
Brenda Katwesigye – Ugandan
• Business: Wazi Vision
• Established: 2016
Brenda Katwesigye became concerned with the cost of eye care in Uganda after a trip to the opticians in 2015. This particular eye test was a turning point for Katwesigye, leaving her with many questions. How could people in her country afford a pair of glasses? Why were opticians disproportionately located in urban areas? Why were the designs so plain considering the price? Katwesigye set out to create a cost-effective solution for her fellow Ugandans, launching Wazi Vision in 2016. She transitioned away from her career in risk management and IT auditing at Deloitte with the help of the Mandela-Washington Fellowship.
Wazi Vision provides free eye tests in schools and rural areas. It has also developed an app that uses virtual reality to perform visual tests and sells glasses constructed out of recycled plastic, which reduces the price of the frames from $100 to $20. Quartz Africa recognised Katwesigye as one of its 30 Innovators for 2018 and, the same year, Forbes named Wazi Vision among its top 60 Women-Led Startups that are shaking up tech across the globe. This African entrepreneur is, undeniably, making headway in the manufacturing of high quality, affordable eyewear in Uganda.
Mogau Seshoene – South African
• Business: The Lazy Makoti
• Established: 2014
The 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow’s idea for a food solutions agency started with an engaged friend who needed cooking lessons, and has now become a business that offers recipe development to corporate and fast moving consumer goods companies.
Seshoene’s toolkit included a BCom in Consumer Sciences and Retail Management, a long-held love for entrepreneurship, a passion for empowering women and creativity in the kitchen. Combined, this entrepreneurial recipe has seen her host classes that include personal cooking, helpful tips to use in the kitchen and branching out into selling contemporary, and locally-made kitchen accessories.
Nontando Molefe – South African
• Business: Phatsima Jewellery Designs
• Established: 2009
Molefe started her own business from a garage at her home in Randburg when it became apparent that her degree in Jewellery Designing and Manufacturing was just the tip of the iceberg of what she still had to learn.
As a young start-up owner, Molefe did everything on her own. From designing to manufacturing to marketing and client liaison. Today she runs the business with a team of four and has made progress with finding clients which she struggled with in the beginning. Molefe’s special focus on custom orders makes her designs sought-after in a niche market.
Reabetswe Ngwane – South African
• Business: In Bloom and Mememe
• Established: 2017
Ngwane is the first to break into the market of seat protectors (and later masks) for miners, as a result of knocking on multiple doors and speaking to miners about their needs.
When her first venture (recycling plastic into schoolbags) dissolved, Ngwane she came up with an innovative idea to turn old tyres into fashionable accessories for retail and respiratory bags, seta protectors and masks for the mining industry. Her idea piqued the interest of REDISA (Recycling and Economic Development Initiative in South Africa) who now run one of her depots. Ngwane has opened two stores – Mememe in Cape Town and In Bloom in Pretoria – where she sells her bags, which are also available online.
Gloria Michelle Otieno Muka – Kenyan
• Business: Recours Four Kenya Consultants Limited
• Established: 2013
In 2013, Gloria Michelle Otieno Muka, 31, founded Recours Four Kenya Consultants Limited (R4Kenya), a fast-growing professional HR services firm located in Nairobi, Kenya. She started the firm with $2,000 of her savings, and within the last 4 years, she has grown the company into a $400,000 (annual revenues) business with more than 15 employees. Recours Four Kenya offers professional HR services in consultancy, recruitment, training, psychometric testing and staff outsourcing. The company’s clients include the World Bank group, Kenya National Examination Council, USAID, GlaxoSmithKline and Sportpesa.
Sarinah Matema-Morgans – South African
• Business: Serenity Luxury Body Care
• Established: 2016
Fuelled by a passion for local job creation, Matema Morgans overcame the public’s initial cold reception to her products and recently signed a cosmetics distribution deal with Pick n Pay.
Armed with work experience with top international beauty brands including Estee Lauder, Clarins and Chanel, Matema-Morgans aims to establish her brand firmly in South Africa and on the African continent, after conquering the UK, USA, Nigeria and Germany. She also endeavours to empower African women and says she’s in the process of forging strong collaborations with the right distributors around the world.
Joana Gyan – Ghanaian
• Business: Global Empire Legacy Holdings
• Established: 2016
Joana Gyan is a young business mogul who made her indelible mark among the Ghana business elite by being the first and only woman to carve her niche and take stranglehold of gold territories in an industry totally colonized by men.
She fought through the ranks of the mining sector, gained grounds and consolidated her gold business empire (Golden Empire Legacy LTD) as a household name in Ghana, buying gold from local miners and exporting of gold internationally.
Today Golden Empire Legacy Ltd is the biggest gold agent in Ghana; sourcing gold from local miners and exporting internationally.
Joana Gyan is a licensed buyer and exporter of gold.
Joana Gyan is also a business executive and owner of over 15 companies including;
* Golden Empire Legacy Ltd
* GEM multimedia Ghana ltd
* Colossus Minerals Ltd
* Joana TV Ltd
* The GEM rhythms Ltd
* The GEM pub Ltd
* KESSE music Ltd
* GELL Golden page Ltd
* GELL farms Ltd
* GELL Petroleum Ltd
* GELL real estate Ltd
* KBA mining Ltd
* Joana Gyan foundation
* GELL Timber Ltd
* Adjei Dankwah investments
* ZEMA Ghana jewelry and fashion school Ltd
* ROYALSEKT GHANA LIMITED
Her influence has eaten voraciously into other sectors such as entertainment (GEM MULTIMEDIA), fashion, education and trade.
Her benevolence and love for humanity has earned her the tag of one of the most charitable philanthropists in Ghana. This feat is evident in the activities of the Joana Gyan foundation; an NGO dedicated to upgrading the abysmal welfare statuses of mining communities in Ghana.
As an astute motivational speaker, her followers keep expanding into a mighty horde, ready to propagate her philosophy of success and establish her legacy…
The Golden Empire Legacy.
Abigail Owusu Ansah – Ghanaian
• Business: Faceville Beauty
• Established: 2014
Abigail Owusu Ansah is an award-winning young celebrity makeup artist and beauty educator and influencer with over five years of experience in the industry. The renowned makeup artist is known for her impeccable work and impressive finish leaving her clients looking quite literally ‘flawless’.
The Artistic Director of Faceville Beauty Studio who holds a degree in Development management has worked with lots of celebrities and has hosted a string of successful sold out makeup master-classes with fans eager to get in on her magic makeup action. Having trained over 200 students during her career span, Abigail is definitely paying it forward to budding beauty entrepreneurs and inspiring a new generation of MUAs.
Bonolo Mataboge – South African
• Business: AfriBlossom
• Established: 2011
When she was forced to drop out of fashion school after developing a growth disorder that caused her lower leg to grow inward, Mataboge saw it as an opportunity to seize a gap in the fashion market.
A visit to the United States as an exchange student in 2011 planted the seed for Afriblossom, when she realized how much more difficult it was to find plus-size clothing in South Africa. Afriblossom’s aim is to provide the curvy girl fresh, flattering, modern Afro-chic and budget friendly designs for every occasion. Matabogo currently outsources production to a factory in Johannesburg CBD and she is meeting with potential retailers for her clothing range. She also has hopes of moving into the textiles industry.
Hlengiwe Vilakati – South African
• Business: Jo Anke Gallery
• Established: 2009
After a 12-year corporate career, Vilakati saw a need for specialist galleries that focus largely on emerging artists and decided it was more influential than her marketing and advertising career.
One of South Africa’s few black-run art galleries, Jo Anke Gallery’s purpose is to sell art created by young South African artists. Established as a tool for social integration, Vilakati believes that clients need to get acquainted with new names. They can do so by either visiting the website and browsing a range of contemporary paintings, photographs and sculptures, or going to the physical gallery in Bramley, Johannesburg, where exhibitions are often held.
Amarachi Nkemjika Ik-Agoha – Nigerian
• Business: Admirable Kid Academy
• Established: 2017
Nigerian women are gaining recognition on their achievements and impacts they are making in different countries of the world and most of them sees possibilities and are not ruffled by challenges they encounter in their moral upbringing, instead they ride on every opportunity to create amazing solutions.
Amarachi Nkemjika Ik-Agoha, born to the family of Ihemeje in Umuchoke, Obazu-Mberia, Owerri Imo State Nigeria is one the top Nigerian woman Entrepreneurs who by their devotion and ingenuity are changing the narrative of the country and turning problems into viable businesses.
From making her mark with her husband in the utility industry to her bold statements in the administration of the family fashion brand, Amarachi Nkemjika Ik-Agoha is now building a business empire of her own as she is one of the fast rising education entrepreneurs in Ghana. Her passion for children lead to the establishment Admirable Kid Academy in Ghana, which has grown to become a sort after schools in Ghana for kids between the of 6months and above
Haleema Hamisu Bello – Nigerian
• Business: ‘Whiff by Haleema & Yaayi by Haleema
• Established: 2016/2018
Haleema Hamisu Bello is a rare breed of creative and innovative entrepreneur, philanthropist and a passionate advocate for the development of women in Nigeria and Africa. She is ardently committed to transforming the entrepreneurial world and creating opportunities for the youths, especially Muslim female youths of Nigeria and Africa, to explore and add value to themselves, their families and the society at large. Haleema is the founder and CEO of Yaayi by Haleema, a fashion entrepreneur and maker of a special perfume branded as ‘Whiff by Haleema’, a special brand of elite class perfume, as well as founder of the NGO named ‘Halima Initiative for Women Development’.
Banke Kuku – Nigerian
• Business: Banke Kuku Textiles
• Established: 2011
Banke Kuku, a Nigerian textiles designer, founded her self-named company in 2011. Banke Kuku Textiles fuses traditional African and Western culture to create, intricate, unique and luxurious fabrics for the interior and fashion industries.
Making her way in the fashion industry, Banke has worked with a number of fashion brands including Burberry, Duro Olowu, Jewel by Lisa and Jasmine di Milo fashion house where she earned the name “The Queen of Colour.”
Her designs – a fusion of African and western culture has been featured in a number of international fashion shows in Milan, New York and Paris as well as the world famous UK store – Selfridges.
Nneile Nkholise – South African
• Business: iMED Tech Group
• Established: 2015
Nneile Nkholise is one of the best-known young entrepreneurs in South Africa. She established iMED Tech Group in 2015 while studying for her MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Central University of Technology. The company provides innovative medical solutions to impact healthcare delivery across the continent. Nkholise has experience in 3D printing applications in the medical field and used this technology in the development of her custom-made products.
Nkholise – South African
• Business: Likoebe Innovations
• Established: 2015
Nkholise is a member of an elite group of entrepreneurs leading ventures that are unlocking the full potential of African people. She has also won the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Award, been recognised as Africa’s top female innovator at the World Economic Forum on Africa and chosen to be one of the 100 entrepreneurs selected to represent their countries at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2016. Her achievements were acknowledged by Forbes Africa in its 30 Under 30 Technology List for 2018, where she was ranked 13th, making her the top female innovator on the list.
Doreen Estazia Noni, Tanzanian
• Business: 102.5 Lake FM
• Established: 2014
Doreen Estazia Noni is the founder of Eskado Bird, an upscale Tanzanian fashion and lifestyle brand that produces accessories inspired by East Africa’s Kitenge fabric. She is also the owner of 102.5 Lake FM, a community centric commercial radio station in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Ronke Bamisedun, Nigerian
• Business: BWL Agency
• Established: 2015
Ronke Bamisedun, 30, is the founder of BWL Agency, a leading boutique Public Relations agency based in Lagos, Nigeria. BWL Agency has advised multinational companies such as Pandora, Moet Hennessy, Pernod Ricard and Universal Music Group as well as many non-government organizations. BWL Agency is also the exclusive affiliate for Grayling in Nigeria.
June Syowia – Kenyan
• Business: Beiless Group
• Established: 2015
Beiless Group is a marketing firm based in Kenya founded by June Syowia. Services include online media campaigns, strategic online communication, digital advertising, social media management, and content creation. Whilst studying at the University of Nairobi, Syowia attended a training class that sparked her interest in digital marketing. Following this, she bought a laptop and pitched marketing services to her friends for free, which led to her company being established in 2015. In addition to running Beiless Group, Syowia operates a database where people from the construction industry can advertise their labour services.
Aged 23, Syowia made the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list for 2018. This recognition comes after she was awarded the Global Student Entrepreneur Award in Kenya and named among the 100 Brightest Young Minds in Africa for 2017. The year before that, Syowia was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Kenyans, an achievement she repeated in 2018.
Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja – Nigerian
• Business: We Farm Africa & Fresh Direct Produce
• Established: 2014
In Nigeria, Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja is providing innovative solutions to the acute food shortage. Two of her businesses, We Farm Africa and Fresh Direct Produce, are bringing communities together with the help of agricultural technologies. Adelaja has pioneered stackable container farms that reduce the stress on land use and the need to import vegetables, in addition to helping urban populations gain access to high quality food. Adelaja’s organic urban farms use less water and land than traditional farming methods and produce 15 times higher product yield.
Vertical farming and hydroponics, her innovative solutions to food shortage, aid in strengthening the agricultural value chain and create opportunities for Africans. Her projects are especially aimed at young people, with her personal mission to make agriculture fun for them taking centre stage. In her spare time, Adelaja focuses on developmental economics and empowering women. She has also served in numerous high-profile positions such as Special Assistant to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Poverty Alleviation and National Coordinator and Consultant to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Wealth Creation.
Elo Obokia – Nigerian
• Business: Ador Beauty Spa
• Established: 2016
Women are increasingly looking to beauty to launch a second or even third career. Nollywood Actress turned entrepreneur Elo Obokia ventured into beauty business a couple of years ago when she launched her cosmetics line Ador Beauty Cosmetics and just recently she opened a tastefully furnished Spa, Ador Beauty Spa, located at Baatsona High Way, behind Ecobank, Spintex road Accra and has become the styling venue for many top Nigerian and Ghanaian socialites and celebrities.
Palesa Sibeko – South African
• Business: Girls Invent Tomorrow
• Established: 2013
Sibeko is the co-founder of organisational design consultancy, Inquisition; creative company, SiGNL; and Girls Invent Tomorrow, a non-profit organisation that empowers girls to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
In response to a global drive to get more women into technology and science careers, Sibeko and two partners co-founded Girls Invent Tomorrow and managed to get global chip maker Intel on board as a sponsor for some of its projects. She is also involved with TEDxPretoria in an effort to give South Africans a powerful platform to share ideas with the world and spark positive change.
Zahida Jibril-Usman – Nigerian
• Business: Muzaif Farms
• Established: 2014
The 24years old Zahida Jibril-Usman, from Kaduna state –North West Nigeria is a passionate young farmer who was awarded Female Farmer of the year by Arewa Young Farmers Group in 2017. Zahida is determined to improve young Arewa women’s participation and perception towards practicing agriculture.
She attended NNPC staff school and Artek Academy Schools Kaduna; Essence International School and Adeyemo College for her secondary school education; then she proceeded to study International Relations & Diplomacy from ESAE University.
Zahida picked intrest in farming from a young age on her mother’s small garden at the backyard of their home. She is passionate about farming and she takes it seriously. As she puts it “I want to be the female Dangote – He’s my role model.
The young farmer is into crop and animal farming, hatchery, fishery and foreign exotic birds. She also set up farms and does consultation for aspiring farmers. She was interviewed by Daily Trust, Voice Of America twice for her impressive work in agriculture.
Aside from farming, Zahida also runs an NGO called Muzaif foundation, which deals with mainly IDPs and orphans. Their charity programs have been carried by TV stations like DITV Kaduna.
Way to go Zahida! More young ladies should be like this. Find your true passion, aspire to excel in it. And it doesn’t have to be what everyone is doing or even ‘glamorous’ Dare to be different.
Amma Indimi – Nigerian
• Business: Le Rouge by Amma & Le Rouge living
• Established: 2009 & 2015
Amma, a fashion designer & interior architect. She founded Le Rouge by Amma, a fashion brand in 2009 and Le Rouge living, an interior company specializing in high end residential design in 2015.
Amma began fashion design work at age 6, making little sun dresses for herself using her older sisters’ head scarves. Her entrepreneurial nature framed her hobby into a legitimate business at the age of 16.
Le Rouge by Amma targets the strong, graceful and sophisticated woman, typically aged 18-40. The Nigerian based company appreciates the body of the woman and designs with a mind of “simplistic chaos”. Le rouge creates elegant designs using bold prints, luxurious fabrics, and intricately woven & beaded textiles.
To better our community, 30% of the company’s profit goes to select philanthropy projects. Please see our philanthropy tab for more information.
Priscilla A. Asante Ghanaian
• Business: Rosswood Co.Ltd.
• Established: 2015
Priscilla A. Asante is a business and social Entrepreneur, the winner of the Female Start -Up Entrepreneur of the year 2018 Award. She has a passion for healthy living and an equal opportunity for all.
Her passion for healthy living has lead her to collaborate with hospitals to set up diabetic clinics in the greater Accra region named ONEYOGO sugar free diabetic clinics.
Helping to educate people with diabetes on healthy eating, providing various yoghurt recipes, with fruits, vegetables and grains.
She also supports the diabetic clinics by donating needles to the adolescents with diabetes.
CEO of Rosswood co.ltd Producers of ONEYOGO Probiotic Yoghurt with seven varieties of yoghurt types on it line as well as other healthy beverages with recipes of the local Ghanaian touch making it unique and ideal for both local and the international market.
Fatima N. Adamu – Ghanaian
• Business: Carters Kaftans
• Established: 2013
After graduating from the University for Development Studies with a bachelor degree in Integrated Community Development Studies, Fatima N. Adamu, a 30 year-old Ghanaian entrepreneur started Carters Kaftans in 2012, by importing beautiful occasional kaftans from Indonesia, selling on wholesale and retails to the Ghanaian market, and later introduced her own line, modest wears from Turkey. Today, Fatima designs her own connection of modest wears.
In a recent interaction with Fatima on her rise to the top, she said “I worked for an Energy Policy Company on completion but my zeal for entrepreneurship outweighed the Corporate world, hence the decision to start a business and being able to do something I loved most. Although I had lots of ideas in the beginning, I chose to go into fashion because of my love for colours and creativity at coming up with designs. I do not know how to sketch but I know how to put two and two together and make it look beautiful.
Friends would contact me to help pick their clothes or help them shop, so I started Carters Kaftans by importing beautiful occasional kaftans from Indonesia in the late 2012. I then registered my Company in February 2013 and supplied kaftans on wholesale and retail to the Ghanaian market. As time went by, I noticed people were more attracted to the clothes I wore so I decided to introduce my new Line; Modest Wears from Turkey. Currently, I design my clothings. Carter’s Kaftans is basically in the business of quality hijabs and modest wears to the community, bringing inspiration and innovation to the modest women around the world.
Charlyn Kentaro – Ugandan
• Business: Good Hair Collective
• Established: 2015
Founder of The Good Hair Collective, the beauty brand for Afro textured hair producing organic handmade hair & skin care products, Charlyn Kentaro originally started out as a lawyer before going into the world of beauty. She did her Master of Laws, lectured for a bit, then got bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. She was working/studying in Cape Town when she decided to “go natural”, as in she cut her relaxed hair off and embraced her natural curls. When she started to look for products to help manage her hair, she came up short. Everything was packed full of harmful chemicals (liquid paraffin, strong sulphates and the like) and/or imported and really pricey. She mixed her own shea butter with other natural oils on one of her holidays and fell in love! Her family and friends liked what she was making, so she started to do lots of research, trained on it, formed a company and the rest is history!
Joycee Awojoodu – Nigerian
• Business: Oriki Group
• Established: 2015
Joycee Awojoodu is the founder of a luxury botanically based product line and spa in Lagos, Oriki Group. Oriki is a luxury skincare brand that fuses natural ingredients & scientific research to create extraordinary personal care products. The company creates effective and luxurious beauty and grooming products utilizing raw materials and all natural resources discovered around the world. Botanically based, Oriki use potent plants, organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. Oriki is for the sophisticated, health-conscious woman and man who want to look effortlessly sharp with intent and purpose. Joycee is passionate about creating an African indigenous luxury brand that touches the lives of the women and men who gather the nuts, plants and herbs to produce the raw materials. Her commitment to sourcing the best quality and finest selection of products complements the elegant stance, powerful femininity and bold allure of the Oriki woman and man
Nibi Lawson – Nigerian
• Business: The Kinky Apothecary
• Established: 2015
Nibi Lawson had one mission in mind when creating The Kinky Apothecary: to bring the natural hair revolution to Nigeria. As the Lagos and London-based founder, Nibi stocks a wide range of natural hair brands, free of sulphates, silicones, mineral oil and other ingredients considered harmful to Black hair. “We are the official Nigerian stockist of all the brands we supply, and are constantly trying to build on relationships, which means more brands at The Apothecary in the near future,” Nibi wrote on the company’s website. In addition to supplying products, The Kinky Apothecary also organizes workshops and events to educate locals on the seemingly daunting task of going natural.
Sandra Oppong Amponsah – Ghanaian
• Business: The Sandy’s hair trendz
• Established: 2015
Sandra’s story is of a woman entrepreneur with a passion for natural hair combined with the entrepreneurial drive to start a business providing natural hair extensions, plus a movement to educate and inform women on how to care for their natural hair.
A marketing graduate of Randford University, Sandra is the founder of Sandy’s Hair Trendz, the company caters to naturalistas looking for a one-stop-shop by offering not only kinky and curly clip-ins, wefts and closures, but also a natural hair essentials kit and a DIY natural hair products ebook. “We are giving women options that are true to who they are,” Sandra said in an interview with Pleasures Magazine.
The Ghanaian entrepreneur is also making use of Social media to expand her reach, the platform has played a large part in the swift growth of Sandra’s reputation, particularly on facebook where her account ‘Sandys Hair Trendz’ has 32,000 followers and counting.
Abby & Ivie Omoruyi – Nigerians
• Business: Catherine Marion
• Established: 2012
Nigerian natural hair sisters Abby and Ivie Omoruyi are the duo behind Catherine Marion, an online shop that provides quality weaves and wigs catering to African American hair of all textures. Ivie’s going natural inspired Abby to do the same, but her experience transitioning from chemically straight hair to her natural texture proved challenging. Tired of wearing wigs that looked too “wiggy,” Abby teamed up with Ivie to launch a line of more realistic-looking, multi-textured wigs. Next up for Catherine Marion is the Flower Child Curls organic product line and a book geared towards simplifying the natural hair maintenance process.
Rahina Amuda – Ghanaian
• Business: Rs Scent Perfect
• Established: 2017
Rahina, registered her business with only one product to offer. She took her business from casual sales to friends, family and social media acquaintances, to an entire range and now an household name in Ghana.
Rahina Amuda, a top lifestyle entrepreneur is the power behind Rs Scent Perfect, an Accra based fragrances store, that is known for stocking a vast range of sophisticated and sensational smells.
For many years, Rahina’s name has been synonymous with the pinnacle of glamour and haute fragrances, creating extraordinary, beautiful and timeless intoxicating floral scents.
From the classics, to the blockbusters, to the niche and artisan, think of Rs Scent Perfect as your definitive guide to the world’s most intoxicating floral perfumes to passionate spice note , any one of which would make for a stunning signature scent.
Shereen Makhanye – South African
• Business: Nubian Nature (Pty) Ltd
• Established: 2012
Nubian Nature (Pty) Ltd is the entrepreneurial creation of founder Shereen Makhanye, whose journey to find products that are not harmful to use on African hair led her to harness the power of the continent’s natural ingredients to find a solution. Her company and its products harness Africa’s organic and exotic indigenous crops to create an exciting hair-care brand. They provide the showcase for her genuine passion for Africa, science, hair and all things natural and it’s been her life dream to share the experience and richness of Africa with Africans and the rest of world.
Tamarind Nott – Namibian
• Business: Mbiri Natural Skincare
• Established: 2017
Tammy Nott is a passionate Namibian entrepreneur who is harnessing the raw natural plant ingredients of her country to create a business and a strong community support system. Mbiri Natural Skincare is a 100% natural skincare brand that focuses on using Namibian plant ingredients including Namibian Myrrh, Marula oil and Kalahari Melon Seed oil. The core of the brand lies with Namibian Myrrh which is endemic to Namibia and is harvested by the Himba people in the northern desert regions of Namibia. The brand is approved by The Vegan Society, is endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty and is an accredited partner of Phytotrade Africa, which is a fair-trade initiative.
Aisha Salisu – Nigerian
• Businesses: March Energy Limited
• Established: 2010
Aisha is an astute business executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist with over 15 years of experience in banking and oil & gas international trade.
In 2010, she founded an indigenous haulage company affiliated to Total, Connoil and Forte Oil, distributing refined products from various depots to designated stations nationwide.
Aisha holds a Diploma in Public Administration and a BSc in Political Science.
She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of March Energy Limited committed to providing first class oil and gas services and solutions.
Shereen Makhanye – South African
• Business: Nubian Nature (Pty) Ltd
• Established: 2012
Nubian Nature (Pty) Ltd is the entrepreneurial creation of founder Shereen Makhanye, whose journey to find products that are not harmful to use on African hair led her to harness the power of the continent’s natural ingredients to find a solution. Her company and its products harness Africa’s organic and exotic indigenous crops to create an exciting hair-care brand. They provide the showcase for her genuine passion for Africa, science, hair and all things natural and it’s been her life dream to share the experience and richness of Africa with Africans and the rest of world.
Tamarind Nott – Namibian
• Business: Mbiri Natural Skincare
• Established: 2017
Tammy Nott is a passionate Namibian entrepreneur who is harnessing the raw natural plant ingredients of her country to create a business and a strong community support system. Mbiri Natural Skincare is a 100% natural skincare brand that focuses on using Namibian plant ingredients including Namibian Myrrh, Marula oil and Kalahari Melon Seed oil. The core of the brand lies with Namibian Myrrh which is endemic to Namibia and is harvested by the Himba people in the northern desert regions of Namibia. The brand is approved by The Vegan Society, is endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty and is an accredited partner of Phytotrade Africa, which is a fair-trade initiative.
Eunice Cofie – Ghanaian
• Business: Nuekie
• Established: 2011
In the highly specialist and competitive world of the health and beauty industry, there is one woman who is successfully combining traditional African medicine with modern science to create world-class products for people of colour. Nuekie is an innovative health and beauty company for people of colour, developing products that are scientifically designed to meet the needs of ethnic populations. Its founder, Eunice Cofie, is a woman entrepreneur harnessing her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, building a new global health and beauty powerhouse. She realized that the health and beauty industry lacked effective treatment products that took into account the unique needs of ethnic people.
Bukky George – Nigerian
• Business: HealthPlus Limited and CasaBella International
• Established: 2012
Bukky George has been described as the ‘queen of retail pharmacy’ in Nigeria based on the steady success of her pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. This leading pharmacist and CEO of HealthPlus Limited and CasaBella International, has created a one-stop store for grooming and beauty solutions for men and women in Nigeria. Her company HealthPlus is also the fastest growing pharmacy chain in West Africa and already has 31 branches across Nigeria with more branches to already in the pipeline. It has become the Pharmacy of Choice through its provision of high quality healthcare products such as medicines, nutritional supplements, natural remedies, home medical equipment, mobility aids and pharmacy services, by certified and well-informed healthcare professionals, in a friendly and hygienic environment.
Velma Owusu-Bempah – Ghanaian
• Business: Velma’s Millinery and Accessories
• Established: 2006
In the competitive world of global accessories and handbag design, one Ghanaian designer is making the world sit up and take notice, with her unique take on beautiful handbags , Millinery, handcrafted pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship combined with a uniquely African touch. Velma Owusu-Bempah is talent personified and her great eye for design, together with a deep appreciation for African culture and textiles, has allowed her to create accessories that have a great story to tell and a wonderful visual appeal.
Gloria Adika-Chukwuka – Nigerian
• Business: Adika Brands And Perfumes
• Established: 2017
Gloria Adika-Chukwuka is a renowned beauty entrepreneur, CEO of ADIKA brands and perfumes from Nigeria. She has over the years builds experience in the business world and known for inspiring women preparing and teaching them on how to succeed in the business world.
Adika is also a respected conference speaker and social media evangelist known for sharing entrepreneurial advice #womaninbusiness on how to succeed as a woman in the business world.
She has a passion for promoting and collaborating with female entrepreneurs and has anchored several schemes supporting young female entrepreneurs.
Suzie Wokabi – Kenyan
• Business: Suzie Beauty Ltd
• Established: 2013
Kenyan entrepreneur, Suzie Wokabi, launched her trailblazing cosmetics brand, Suzie Beauty Ltd. creating a world-class product range that understands the needs of today’s African women who want bespoke make-up products that work perfectly on African women’s skin-tones and produce a stunningly beautiful look. Suzie Beauty is Kenya’s first make-up brand and creates and sells products, offers make-up artistry services, as well as training for professional make-up artists.
Kirian Faith – Nigerian
• Business: Kirian Estate and Cosmetics
• Established: 2016
Kirian Faith, serial entrepreneur, Masters Degree holder, and Certified Expert in International Relations.
Faith is a very optimistic young lady who started her career in 2016 after she was involved in a fire accident that claimed two lives.
She didn’t see it as a setback but decided to take up the challenge and started working with a construction company, where she worked in the Sales Department, and was involved into construction and building of properties and estates in Federal Capital Territory Abuja Nigeria.
The young entrepreneur’s business ideologies started developing in 2016 while she was still a staff of the Construction Company .
Kirian left the Construction firm to become a full time Real Estate entrepreneur.
Now she is currently partnering with one of the biggest Real Estate companies in Abuja.
She also runs a chain of businesses, ranging from Blogging to Luxury Christmas Hamper Service and Kirian Cosmetics.
Lilian Titi Dandori – Ghanaian
• Businesses: Yahpha city, Dandori’s Special
• Established: 2016 and 2019
Lilian popularly known by her native name Titi established her first business YAHPHA CITY then Yahpha baby which is an organic based baby food range which was inspired by her need to have the best and also easily accessiblefoods in the Ghanaian environment for her son and gradually expanded to family and friends, now sells to hospitals and mothers across, Yahpha baby foods is geared to give easy access to healthy organic everyday fruits and vegetables at affordable prices to the growing Ghanaian baby.
She then after three years started her second business which has just taken off in the past three months DANDORI’S SPECIAL, a healthy Northern Ghanaian dish called Tubani, made from the traditional black eyed beans she is very passionate about the health and lifestyle of people today and aims to change the eating habits and lifestyle choices of everyday people from the junk foods which are gradually killing of people to the more organic alkaline based to promote health.
Brigitha Faustin, Tanzanian
• Businesses: OBRI Company
• Established: 2016
Faustin, 30, is the founder and managing Director of OBRI Company, an Agro-Industrial company whose main businesses include edible oils manufacturing and fractionations under the OBRI brand. OBRI Company is modeled as a co-operative social enterprise. Under this model, OBRI has empowered more than 230 local Tanzanian farmers who are organized under farmers associations in Tanzania by providing sustainable market channels for their produce. OBRI’s cooking oils are sold in retail outlets across the country.
Noura AlGhandi – Tunisian
• Businesses: ALBAL Design Studio
• Established: 2014
The brains and creative flair behind ALBAL Design Studio, Noura is a truly inspiring young interior designer whose already firmly established brand not only has a sterling client list, but is also routinely offering a helping hand to local firms looking to get off the ground.
Founded in November 2014, ALBAL now employs a multi-national team who work on interior and architectural design projects ranging from homes to private-yachts. As their professional reputation grows, however, so does the support Noura and her team offer start-ups, providing invaluable creative assistance across all elements of design – from logos and branding to the final execution of interior projects.