Leading the Way: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Economic Empowerment in Africa
African female entrepreneurs are making a significant impact on the continent's economic and social development. They are creating jobs, solving problems, innovating solutions, and empowering communities. However, they also face many challenges that hinder their full potential and growth. According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE), Botswana, South Africa and Ghana are among the top countries in Africa for favouring women's entrepreneurship in 2021, with scores of 56.3, 54.9 and 51.1 respectively. This article will take a look at some of these remarkable entrepreneurs leading the way within the African continent.
1. Rebecca Enonchong (Cameroon)
She is a prominent figure in the African tech ecosystem, who has founded and led several startups and incubators. She is the founder and CEO of AppsTech, a global provider of Oracle solutions, and I/O Spaces, an incubator for the African diaspora in the U.S. She is also the chair of ActivSpaces, a Cameroonian incubator that supports young tech entrepreneurs, and AfriLabs, a network of over 80 innovation centres across 27 African countries. She is a founding member of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) and a vocal advocate for digital innovation and social justice in Africa. She has been recognized as one of the most influential Africans in science, tech, and innovation by various media outlets.
2. Bethlemen Tilahun Alemu (Ethiopia)
Founded SoleRebels, a footwear company that uses recycled materials and employs local artisans. SoleRebels produces comfortable, hand-crafted sandals, slip-ons and laced shoes using recycled tyres for the soles and local natural fibres, such as hand-spun cotton, jute, and Koba, an indigenous plant cultivated in Ethiopia for thousands of years. Alemu started the company with a bank loan of 580,000 Ethiopian Birr ($33,000) in 2005 and named it as a nod to Ethiopian rebel soldiers who wore handcrafted rubber tyre sandals. As of 2016, the shoes were sold in more than 50 countries and the company had retail outlets in Addis Ababa, the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Singapore and Germany. SoleRebels is recognized for its ethical production, including Fair Trade practices and sustainable manufacturing.
3. Divine Ndhlukuka (Zimbabwe)
Established Securico, a security company that provides services to various sectors and employs over 3,000 people. Ndhlukuka started Securico in 1998 with four employees and $4,000 in savings. She faced many challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, but she persevered and grew her business into one of the largest security firms in Zimbabwe. Securico offers guarding services, cash management solutions, electronic security systems, and security consultancy. Ndhlukuka is also committed to empowering other women and has a workforce that is 900 women strong.
4. Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
One of the richest women in Africa and the owner of Famfa Oil, an oil exploration company. Alakija started her career as a secretary and then became a fashion designer before venturing into the oil industry. In 1993, she acquired an oil prospecting license for a block that later turned out to be one of Nigeria's most prolific oil fields. She fought a legal battle with the Nigerian government over the ownership of her oil block and won. Alakija is also a philanthropist and supports causes such as education, health care, widows and orphans.
5. Isabel do Santos (Angola)
A businesswoman and investor in the banking and energy sectors. Do Santos is the daughter of Angola's former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos and has been dubbed as Africa's richest woman by Forbes. She has stakes in several companies in Angola and Portugal, including Unitel (Angola's largest mobile phone network), Banco BIC (a bank), Galp Energia (a Portuguese oil and gas company), and Nos (a Portuguese cable TV company). Do Santos is also involved in social projects that promote entrepreneurship, education, health care and women empowerment.
6. Julian Adyeri Omalla (Uganda)
The founder and CEO of Delight Uganda Limited, a fruit juice processing and agri-business company. Omalla started Delight Uganda in 1996 with $10 as capital and initially sold fruits at local markets. She later expanded into juice production and distribution under the brand name Cheers. She also ventured into dairy farming and animal feed production. Omalla employs over 1,000 people directly and indirectly and sources her raw materials from over 5,000 farmers across Uganda. She is also a board member of the Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Manufacturers Association.
7. Mosunmola Abudu (Nigeria)
A media mogul and the founder of EbonyLife TV, a pan-African entertainment network. Abudu started her career as a human resources consultant and then became a talk show host on Moments with Mo, where she interviewed celebrities, politicians and entrepreneurs. In 2013, she launched EbonyLife TV as Africa's first global black entertainment channel that showcases original content across various genres such as drama, comedy, reality TV and lifestyle. EbonyLife TV reaches over 49 countries across Africa as well as the UK and the Caribbean. Abudu has also produced several movies such as Fifty, The Wedding Party and Chief Daddy.
8. Salwa Akhannouch (Morocco)
The head of Akwa Group, a conglomerate that operates in petroleum, gas, real estate and hospitality industries. Akhannouch inherited the group from her father, who founded it in 1959. She has expanded the group's portfolio and diversified its activities. She is also the founder and CEO of Aksal Group, a luxury retail company that owns Morocco Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in Africa. Akhannouch is also a social activist and supports initiatives that promote women's rights, education and health.
9. Saran Kaba Jones (Liberia)
The founder and CEO of FACE Africa, a non-profit organization that provides access to clean water and sanitation to rural communities. Jones was born in Liberia but fled the country during the civil war and lived in several countries before returning in 2008. She was shocked by the lack of basic services and infrastructure in her homeland and decided to start FACE Africa in 2009. Since then, FACE Africa has implemented over 200 water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Liberia and Nigeria, benefiting over 150,000 people. Jones is also an advocate for women's empowerment and youth leadership.
10. Charlotte Horore Bebga (Cameroon)
The founder of AfricanWITS, a tech startup that develops web and mobile applications for various sectors. Bebga started AfricanWITS in 2015 with a team of four young women who shared her passion for technology and innovation. She works on her tech startup site, Likalo 2.0, a platform that connects local farmers with buyers and provides them with information on market prices, weather forecasts and best practices. Bebga is also a mentor for other aspiring female tech entrepreneurs and a member of the Cameroon Women’s Business Leaders Association.
Despite their achievements and contributions, these female entrepreneurs face several challenges that limit their growth and competitiveness. Our next article will shine some light on these problems and possible solutions or initiatives that should be implemented in order to provide a friendly and empowering economic, social and political environment for African female entrepreneurs.
