Stanbic, US Firm Prop Women In Business
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday October 23, 2017 18:00
The platform dubbed ‘Lioness Lean In Breakfast’ is a series of breakfast networking sessions and speaker presentations that brings together inspirational and successful women to share, inspire and connect with the next generation of women-led start-ups.
Lioness of Africa, which aims to empower one million underserved African women entrepreneurs by providing free access to resources, tools and access to markets, was initially launched in Africa in November 2014.
It is a US-incorporated social enterprise with rapidly growing network of more than 400,000 women entrepreneurs across Africa. The products, platforms and programmes are funded through impact changes as well as companies and organisations that are committed to helping to develop more women entrepreneurs in Africa.
Speaking during the launch, Lioness of Africa founder and Chief Executive Officer, Melanie Hawken said the event aims to showcase the game-changing women entrepreneurs who have built some of the country’s most successful businesses and inspire a new generation of young women entrepreneurs who aspire to follow in their footsteps. “This event gives women entrepreneurs the opportunity to hear the inspiring entrepreneurial stories of women who are building great businesses in the country,” she said. According to Hawken, it allows them to benefit from insights and advice of women entrepreneurs who have seen and experienced it all. She said it provides an excellent opportunity for networking with speakers who are passionate about advancing women entrepreneurs in Botswana.
Stanbic Bank Botswana Head of Personal Markets, Omphemetse Dube said the programme was part of their efforts to supporting women in business through the engagement with Lioness of Africa.
“We are delighted to partner with such a highly reputable organisation such as Lioness of Africa. This is premised on the belief that we have a great wealth of talent in Botswana and when it comes to Botswana, there is much to be done in acknowledging, celebrating and empowering these women further,” she said.
It provides access to a wealth of information resources, business tools, networking events, market access and entrepreneur education. Lioness of Africa leverages the scalability of online technologies and platforms to deliver information, tools and resources to women entrepreneurs.