Business
Seven African Entrepreneurs Who inspire Innovation
To be a successful entrepreneur in Africa, you must have raw courage, and blind perseverance to overcome mind-boggling bureaucracy and limited access to credit. In spite of these challenges many Africans have tapped into their entrepreneurial spirit and have been rewarded with success beyond their wildest dreams. Spanning every region of the continent, The Atlanta Post has compiled a diverse list of African visionaries who deserve to be profiled not only because of the size of their wallet, but also because of the phenomenal impact of their initiatives. Here are seven men and women whose stories will inspire you not to give up.
Aliko Dangote
The Golden Boy
Even when he was a school boy, Aliko Dangote was eyeing the profit margin from the carton of sweets he was selling to his mates. By the time he was 21 he had secured a loan from his uncle to start a company which trades in cement. With strategic alliances and a sharp business acumen, he turned his company, the Dangote Group, into a commodities conglomerate operating in several African countries. According to Forbes’ 2011 rich list, at age 53 Dangote is worth 13 billion dollars, making him the richest man in Nigeria, and the 51st richest man in the world. dangote-group.com
Aisha Ouobi
The Fashionista
Aisha Ouobi started with a needle, thread and unbridled passion. Then in 2008 she created Christie Brown Ltd. and designed clothes for friends and family until Africa’s elite started placing orders for her unique blend of afro chic clothing. In 2009 Aisha won the highly coveted “Emerging Designer of the Year” award at Arise Fashion Week in South Africa. Visit christiebrownonline.com to see how Aisha is influencing the way women dress, one Ankara print at a time.
Strive Masiyiwa
The Mogul
Relentless, tenacious and savvy are just a few words to describe this electrical engineer who left England in 1988 to return to his native Zimbabwe. When Strive Mayisiwa tried to obtain a license to provide wireless telecommunication in Zimbabwe he was met with severe opposition from the government monopoly. Undaunted, Mayisiwa fought the corrupt practices of the government, sustaining a fierce court battle until Econet was granted an operating license in 1997. Econet has since expanded operations beyond Zimbabwe to several African countries. Strive Masiyiwa has become one of the most spectacular success stories in Africa, having surmounted Goliath-like obstacles to create a multi-million dollar enterprise.
Zoubida Charrouf
The Investor
You have one person to thank for the availability of Argan oil in the international market – Zoubida Charrouf. A professor at Mohamed V. University in Morocco, she has improved the extraction of oil from the Argan plant by establishing processing cooperatives run entirely by local women. The commercialization of argan oil has boosted business in the cooperatives and emancipated the women by offering them a meaningful livelihood. Dedicated to conserving the plant, Dr. Charrouf is helping forest users understand its multiple uses so that they will be motivated to protect and replant as needed.
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
The soleRebel
Raised in one of the poorer regions of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem Alemu is determined to create sustainable development in Ethiopia. She established soleRebels, a line of eco-friendly footwear made from recycled car tires and indigenous materials. Within six years her initiative has blossomed into a successful company which has created community-based employment opportunities for over 195 people in Ethiopia. Internationally recognized soleRebels is now available through retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Amazon.com.
Lydie Hakizimana
The Survivor
A compilation of inspirational African entrepreneurs would be incomplete without mentioning Rwanda’s Lydie Hakizimana. In 2006 Hakizimana leveraged her passion for reading into a reputable bookshop. Following the phenomenal market response Hakizimana and her husband, Tunga Hakizimana expanded the venture into a company, Drakkar Limited, and started developing relationships with publishers. Their big break came when they successfully negotiated a deal to become the exclusive distributors for Pearson Education, the global leader in educational publishing. Rwanda’s Ministry of Education took notice and ordered that text books in primary and tertiary institutions change from French to English to accelerate the national objective to boost literacy in Rwanda. Lydie Hakizimana is now the President of the Junior Chamber International Rwanda. She was recently awarded African Sales Rep for the year 2011. With people like Hakizimana steering the country away from its painful past, it is no wonder that Rwanda is called the rising Star of Africa.
Zeze Oriaikhi
The Innovator
Zeze Oriakhi has created her own line of spa products called Malee Natural Science. This upscale eco-luxury line of moisturizers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, etc., has been featured in Elle magazine (SA), Marie Claire (SA) and high end hotels in South Africa. Oriaikhi prides herself on manufacturing products that do not contain parabens or animal originated substances. Her products are suitable for all skin types because they are filled with vitamins and moisture boosting agents that strengthens the skin’s immunity.
Source: The Atlanta Post
