In a world striving for sustainability, Michelle Lingam’s aspirations for her solar installation business highlight a troubling paradox: despite the critical role of women entrepreneurs in combating climate change, they continue to be largely excluded from formal financing. When Lingam sought a loan to expand her business, she anticipated rigorous scrutiny. What she did not…
Cape Town, South Africa — Secure digital payment and identification systems could be the key to unlocking Africa’s next wave of entrepreneurs and traders, according to new survey findings released by Co-Develop ahead of the Global DPI Summit 2025. The survey, conducted online by Ipsos across six African markets — Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa,…
Women entrepreneurs hold the potential to transform Africa’s economic future. Across the continent, women-owned businesses are creating jobs, lifting families out of poverty and reshaping communities, thanks to their resilience, creativity, and belief in succeeding against all odds. Justina Opit, the CEO of Omega Foods in Zambia, is just one example. “I created Omega Foods…
“Being supported by the Graça Machel Trust to showcase my product at a regional stage such as SIW was incredibly affirming. It showed that rural businesses like ours can compete globally, and it tells young women back home that their ideas can travel far beyond the village.” – Robyn Brown, Manager of All Things Last…
Partner content: Africa’s Business Heroes The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, today revealed the Top 20 entrepreneurs selected to advance to the 2025 Semi-Finals, taking place in Dakar, Senegal on 10-11 September 2025. The selection of the Top 20 reflects a rigorous and highly competitive process. Starting from nearly…
Hadija Jabiri, founder of Tanzanian agribusiness company GBRI Avocados and apples are the focus of two ventures that show the range of farming opportunities in Tanzania. Tanzanian entrepreneur builds avocado export business from $300 start Hadija Jabiri is the founder of GBRI, a Tanzanian agribusiness company that began with vegetables and now exports avocados to…
For many women entrepreneurs, stepping away from the business they’ve built is not just a professional decision, it’s a deeply personal one. Years, sometimes decades, of sacrifice, vision and resilience are tied to the company’s name, culture, and success. So, when it’s time to talk succession or exit strategies, the conversation isn’t just about financials…
With youth unemployment sitting at 44.6%, many young South Africans are no longer waiting for jobs that may never come – they’re creating their own. While necessity is a major driver, locals are also starting businesses to make a difference, build wealth, or continue a family legacy. The result is a growing wave of youth-led startups, side hustles…
At the WCW country forums, 700 participants were celebrated for their growth, resilience, and business transformation. The events also convened a diverse array of stakeholders–policymakers, private-sector partners, financiers, market enablers, coaches, mentors, and ecosystem builders–creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic action. Each forum was tailored to the local context while remaining aligned…
Across Africa, some of the most resilient and effective entrepreneurs are displaced women. With forced displacement at an all-time high and economies under pressure to grow inclusively, the case for investing in displaced women has never been more urgent. There are 44 million forcibly displaced individuals across Africa – a powerful workforce, consumer base, and…
