LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
Melanie Hawken Founder & CEO Lionesses of Africa
On 19 November 2024, we celebrated an incredible milestone: the 10th anniversary of Lionesses of Africa. It's hard to believe that what started as informal conversations around a kitchen table with fellow women entrepreneurs, all passionate about making a positive difference on the African continent, has now evolved into a dynamic network of over 1.8 million women entrepreneurs—and we’re still growing.
Our mission then is the same as it is today: to empower Africa’s women entrepreneurs by helping them build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and unlock their full potential as economic engines of their communities and nations—always free of charge.
What makes Lionesses of Africa unique? It’s what we call The Lioness Network Effect.
Through the power of connection, collaboration, and collective action, we’ve built a network that is greater than the sum of its parts. By sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities, we’ve created a strong, resilient, and empowered community of women entrepreneurs who lift each other up. Our Lioness Network is the core of our success and uniqueness—it's the secret ingredient that drives us and keeps us growing.
However, as we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we also acknowledge the persistent barriers that women entrepreneurs across Africa continue to face. Access to funding, new markets, and growth opportunities remains a significant challenge, often exacerbated by difficult trading conditions and shifting political landscapes. The estimated $42 billion financing gap for African women
across business value chains highlights the size of the challenge that still lies ahead of us.
At Lionesses of Africa, we are unwavering in our commitment to confront these challenges head-on. We work tirelessly with our impact partners to create practical solutions that can transform the landscape for women entrepreneurs. One of the ways we do this is through our Lioness Data work, which plays a critical role in closing the data gap that has historically hindered investment in women-led businesses. By gathering and publishing key insights, we aim to reshape perceptions, improve access to funding, and boost the visibility of African women entrepreneurs to investors and buyers.
Looking back on this memorable decade fills me with immense pride. Our collective impact as a network has been profound. We have had the honour of amplifying the stories of countless African women entrepreneurs, following their journeys from startup to growth success. Every day, we present original content filled with practical insights and African context, contributed by our network of over 150 women entrepreneur bloggers who share their hard-won knowledge and experiences. Over the past ten years, we have published thousands of highquality, free resources, including newsletters, digimags, playbooks, and podcasts designed to inform, inspire, educate, and connect women entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora. Our networking events continue to foster collaboration, and the direct needs of our community shape our innovative training programs.
I find great inspiration in the women entrepreneurs I have encountered on this journey. Their courage, vision, and determination are transforming their lives, uplifting entire
communities, and creating a lasting impact. Their willingness to share knowledge and support one another has been the foundation of our work. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the strength of The Lioness Network Effect
As we celebrate this milestone, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every woman entrepreneur in our Lionesses of Africa network. Your resilience, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire us every day.
I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to our impact partners and champions—your support and funding have been vital to our journey. As a Public Benefit Corporation, we could not have achieved this impact without you. Yet, our work is far from finished. Today's challenges are just as pressing as they were when we first launched. So, I ask for your continued support as we enter the next decade of empowering Africa's women entrepreneurs— helping them build resilient, sustainable businesses that will transform their communities and drive the entire continent's economic growth.
Together, we can shape a future in which women entrepreneurs are at the heart of Africa's economic success story.
With heartfelt appreciation and commitment,
Hawken
Melanie
OUR IMPACT LOA conferences have been convened in Africa, Europe and the USA, improving access to policymakers and investors to discuss greater access to markets and investment opportunities.
Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016.
In partnership with: Standard Bank, Liberty, GE Africa, IDF Capital, Telkom
ABOUT LIONESSES OF AFRICA
We Are the Pride of Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs
Over the past decade, we have positively impacted more than 1.8 million women entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora.
Since our launch on November 19, 2014 — the first-ever Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day — we have dedicated ourselves to empowering women-owned and led small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) in Africa. Our goal is to help these women build profitable, sustainable businesses that benefit their communities and the planet while advancing women’s economic empowerment.
To achieve this goal, we collaborate with our impact partners to develop impact-driven programs for WSMEs, including skills training, digital channels, events, and knowledge resources, all informed by our research and insights.
All our activities are provided at scale to Africa's women entrepreneurs—always free of charge.
We impact women entrepreneurs by helping them achieve greater financial independence and improving their capacity to generate higher revenues and create more jobs. We support women's entrepreneurship by providing insights that contribute to the development of more effective financial services and policies aimed at WSMEs. We impact the planet through more WSMEs adopting environmentally friendly business practices.
10 years
LOA has worked the past decade to empower Africa’s women to build thriving businesses
1.8M
LOA’s growing network of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs provides a foundation for scaling impact
Celebration, International Women’s Day 2019 - Johannesburg, South Africa. In partnership with Facebook
Changemakers
$42B
There is an estimated $42 billion financing gap for African women across business value chains 25.9%
More than one in four women in Africa starts or manages a business
WE STRIVE TO UNLOCK THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF AFRICA'S WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
WSMEs can have a profound impact on Africa and the planet. Our goal is to unlock their full economic potential, leading to local and regional growth, job creation, and environmentally friendly business practices.
Barriers Faced by Africa’s WSMEs:
Africa's WSMEs face numerous challenges, including persistent gender bias, gaps in gender-specific data, and limited access to financing, business networks, and entrepreneurial knowledge.
Opportunities for Building Solutions:
• Africa has the highest rate of women’s entrepreneurship globally.
• WSMEs are recognized to be essential for economic development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Women entrepreneurs value access to business networks, knowledge exchange and mentorship.
• Both public and private sectors are responding to the need to provide better support for WSMEs.
• The LOA network, consisting of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, provides a strong foundation for expanding our impact.
Lioness Lean In, Windhoek, Namibia, May 2019. In partnership with Nedbank
TOWARDS OUR VISION FOR CHANGE
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to
Lead Sustainability and Growth
Our vision is a thriving ecosystem of women entrepreneurs across Africa who build profitable, sustainable businesses that transform communities and protect the planet. By narrowing gender gaps in funding, data, and market access, we empower women to achieve economic independence, scale green innovations, and create impactful jobs.
Together with our impact partners, we build a new generation of women leaders who advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and redefine inclusive, network-driven economic success.
ACTIVATION
Our network-centric approach helps us to realize our vision for African women to build profitable and sustainable businesses that benefit their communities and the planet while advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Individually, women entrepreneurs are impacted with knowledge and resources to launch and grow their businesses. Collectively, our network of women entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth and job creation and impact the planet positively through the adoption of green business practices.
Our network-centric approach is the central pillar around which we build our activities to advance women entrepreneurs: research, capacity development, mentoring, business tools, events and networks. These activities are practical and relevant, and meet the needs of women entrepreneurs as they are underpinned by deep network insights.
NETWORK
To overcome the barriers facing women entrepreneurs and to unlock the opportunities, LOA has developed a theory of change built around a network-centric model creating the space for women entrepreneurs to actively participate in identifying, formulating, and delivering solutions. The outcome: women entrepreneurs participate directly in shaping their economic futures.
OPPORTUNITY
Africa is a world leader when it comes to the number of women engaged in entrepreneurship. Women make up 58% of the continent’s self-employed population, and entrepreneurship is also seen by 76% of Africans as a good career choice, the highest rate in the world.2 Unlocking the true economic potential of women entrepreneurs can positively impact women’s economic empowerment, levels of women in leadership positions, job creation growth and the realization of SDG targets. We believe advancing women’s entrepreneurship represents a massive opportunity for advancing Africa’s growth.
BARRIERS
WSMEs in Africa face systemic challenges, including entrenched gender bias, limited access to financing and markets, and inadequate business networks and mentorship opportunities. The persistent gender data gap further compounds these barriers, restricting the development of effective policies and financial services tailored to their needs. This commonly limits opportunities for WSMEs to grow or scale. In Africa, the typical male-owned business has over six times the capital investment of female-owned enterprises; and on average Africa’s women entrepreneurs earn 34% lower profits than men.1
OUR PATHWAY TO IMPACT
Expanded adoption of green business practices by WSMEs
Improved skills and investor readiness among WSMEs
ACTIVITIES
Increased participation of WSMEs in training programs
Capacity Development
More high-quality resources providing WSMEs contextual and practical knowledge
OUTPUTS
More high-quality data insights from WSMEs shared and published
Improved access to markets for WSMEs via corporate supply chains and LOA network
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES
Increased number of WSMEs connecting at events and webinars
Research & Insights
Increased use of actionable data and insights to design financial services and policies for WSMEs
Strengthened public-private partnerships enabling scalable solutions
Digital Channels
Resource Publishing
Events & Webinars
Advocacy
Thriving WSMEs in Africa contribute to:
• Economic growth at local and regional levels
• Significant job creation, with an emphasis on inclusive employment opportunities
• Sustainability through the widespread adoption of green business practices
Higher adoption rates of sustainable business practices by WSMEs
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Enhanced access to financing for WSMEs, reducing the gender funding gap
Empowered Women Entrepreneurs
Increased network engagement through shared stories, mentoring, and peerto-peer knowledge sharing
• Increased financial independence for women entrepreneurs
• Higher revenue and job creation from WSMEs, particularly benefiting women employees
Improved Enabling Environment
• Improved financial services and policies targeting WSMEs
More Green Businesses
• More WSMEs adopting environmentally responsible practices
• Stronger alignment of WSMEs’ operations with SDG implementation goals
OUR IMPACT
HIGHLIGHTS
Pitch Day at the end of the Lionesses of Africa and Siemens 12-week Accelerator Program, Johannesburg, South Africa, May 2019. In partnership with: Siemens
OUR IMPACT
An accelerator program to prepare 30 WSMEs running digital businesses to enter the corporate supply chains of Siemens, B-Braun and their supply chain partners.
THE LIONESS NETWORK EFFECT
Our network-centric approach ensures that women entrepreneurs come together to support one another— sharing, inspiring, and connecting. We create space for our network to do business, build valuable connections, share knowledge, and peer-mentor, both in-person and online. This empowers women entrepreneurs to actively participate in identifying, formulating, and delivering solutions, helping them become active agents of change in shaping their futures. This agency includes sharing insights about their businesses to address the data gap that continues to exist in women's entrepreneurship in Africa, or to shape financial product design or policy interventions to support WSMEs.
We recognize that entrepreneurship requires a supportive ecosystem, and we actively connect financial institutions, investors, and policymakers to our network to enhance funding and policy outcomes.
Our network of over 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, built over the last 10 years, provides us with a significant pipeline for scaling our activities.
This network-centered approach is our unique advantage. We refer to it as The Lioness Network Effect and work diligently to bring it to life.
Women entrepreneurs pitching at Startup Night Africa in The Hague, Netherlands 2024. In partnership with: The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The African Development Bank, AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa), African Guarantee Fund (AGF), and Absa Bank
Our Network is Our Superpower for Driving Impact
BUILDING OUR NETWORK KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Engaged Network
Our biggest asset is our network.
The Lioness Network of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, built over 10 years, creates a powerful ‘network effect’ and provides a significant pipeline for scaling activities.
Embedded Knowledge
Within The Lioness Network lies a vast reservoir of contextual entrepreneurial knowledge — including insights that are specific to particular African markets, industries or business stages — all of which are highly relevant and valuable.
Knowledge Sharing
Women entrepreneurs are committed to paying it forward by sharing their business knowledge, insights and mentorship. LOA creates spaces, platforms and digital resources for this knowledge sharing to happen, both in-person and online.
Lioness Lean In, Blantyre, Malawi, May 4, 2017. In partnership with Stanbic Bank Malawi
LEVERAGING THE LIONESS NETWORK FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Business Stage Entrepreneur Characteristics
LEADING LIONESSES
MATURE STAGE
GROWTH STAGE
START-UP STAGE
Entrepreneurs who have created enduring business legacies and are engaged in philanthropy or angel investing
Entrepreneurs running well-established, profitable businesses focused on diversification and efficiency
Entrepreneurs scaling their businesses, expanding markets, and securing growth
funding
Entrepreneurs with a product or service in the market, focused on early traction
Knowledge Shared/Consumed
Activity Alignment
Angel Investing / Philanthropy
High-Level Peer Networking
Advocacy Leadership
Contributing to Capacity Development
Mentoring
Case Study Contributions
Event Speaking
Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships
Investor Readiness Programs
Strategic Partnerships
Export Market Opportunities
Mentorship and Advisory Support
Network Building
Business Banking Relationships
Seeking Mentors and Role-Models
Securing Initial Customers
High-level Conferences
Coaching and Mentoring
Advocacy Roundtables
Advisory Support to LOA
High-level Conferences
Coaching and Mentoring
Contributing Bloggers
Event/Webinar Speakers
Startup Night Africa
Coaching and Mentoring
Contributing Bloggers
Event/Webinar Speakers
Event/Webinar Attendees
Contributing Bloggers
Lioness Launch Features
SEED STAGE
Entrepreneurs testing feasibility and viability of ideas
Skills Training
Business Banking Relationships
Business Model Testing & Validation
Marketing and Sales Opportunities
Training Programs (CDP)
Business Banking Program
Event/Webinar Attendees
Knowledge Resources
YOUNG & ASPIRING
Aspirant women exploring entrepreneurship, seeking inspiration and basic knowledge
Network Building
Digital Content Knowledge Acquisition
Role-Model Identification
Newsletter Subscription / Podcast Listening
Young Lioness Lean In
Event/Webinar Attendees
Digital Channels
Network Building
OUR
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE: BUILDING PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS NEED
Accelerator Programs
12-week programs leading to pitch sessions to funders and corporate buyers.
Funding Readiness Programs
12-week programs leading to direct access to banks for funding and business banking support.
Digital Readiness Programs
12-week programs leading to pitch sessions and corporate buyers.
Business Agility Series
Multi-year online program to support WSMEs in post-COVID business recovery and growth.
Green Business Programs
Multi-year, multi-channel program supporting WSMEs to implement green business practices.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
Business Confidence Index
A 3-year research study measuring business confidence levels of Africa’s leading WSMEs.
Access to Funding Insights
Multi-year research delivering insights into WSME access to growth finance.
Job Creation Insights
A 3-year research study on the impact of South African WSMEs as job creators.
Digital Transformation Insights
Multi-year research on the African WSME experience of digital transformation in business.
Green Business Insights
Multi-year research on adoption of green business practices by WSMEs in Mozambique.
Website Platforms
Websites to distribute LOA original content and resources to WSME network members.
Webinars
Multi-year series of online events to inform and connect WSMEs on a range of business topics.
Podcasts
Multiple branded podcast shows featuring interviews with leading African women entrepreneurs.
Video
Multiple video resources from live events, interviews, and training programs for WSMEs.
Digital Publications
A wide range of daily and weekly digital newsletters and magazines published in English & Portuguese.
EVENTS
Lioness Lean In Program
Multi-year series of in-person networking events for WSMEs across the African continent.
Business Agility Webinars
Multi-year series of digital events launched during COVID-19 aimed at building WSME resilience.
Startup Night Africa
Showcase events in major European capitals connecting high growth WSMEs to investors.
Conferences
Large-scale, multi-impact partner events connecting leading African WSMEs with global investors.
Live and Virtual Expos
Access to market events connecting WSMEs to corporate supply chain decision makers.
RESOURCE PUBLISHING
Playbooks
A series of digital resource guides offering practical business advice and strategy for WSMES.
Research Reports
Multi-year, multi-topic research studies published aimed at reducing the gender data gap.
Digital Newsletters
Daily and weekly digital newsletters published and distributed to LOA network.
eBooks
A series of e-Books published with a country or sector focus featuring WSME case studies.
Investor Handbooks
Created as support resources for investors at LOA showcase events to introduce WSMEs.
International Organisations
Participation in multi-lateral discussion forums to advance support for Africa’s WSMEs.
Government Roundtables
Participation in Ministerial level roundtable discussions to advance support for WSMEs.
International Trade Missions
Multi-year participation in government-led trade missions to promote Africa’s WSMEs.
Global Funding Forums
Participation in global funding forums to advocate for greater access to funding for WSMEs.
Women’s Economic Forums
Participation in pan-African and global forums advancing women’s economic empowerment.
DIGITAL CHANNELS
OUR IMPACT ON EMPOWERING WSMEs IN AFRICA TO GROW AND THRIVE
INCREASED ACCESS TO NETWORKS
IMPROVED SKILLS AND INVESTOR READINESS
ENHANCED ACCESS TO FINANCE
IMPROVED ACCESS TO MARKETS
ENHANCED ADOPTION OF GREEN BUSINESS PRACTICES
REDUCED THE GENDER DATA GAP
1.8 million women entrepreneurs have benefited from The Lioness Network Effect
Storytelling: LOA champions and has shared 5,000+ members’ stories.
Network Engagement: Members share stories, mentor, and exchange knowledge both in-person and online.
Safe Spaces: Women connect and inspire each other in safe in-person and online spaces.
Empowerment: Members become active agents of change in shaping their futures by sharing insights into their businesses.
Mentoring Access: Improved access to role models to inspire startup success.
Collaboration: Opportunities for business collaboration and sharing of resources.
Reduced Isolation: Engagement alleviates feelings of isolation among entrepreneurs.
Resilience: The "Business Unusual" platform supported resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LOA Knowledge Exchange has empowered 1.8 million women entrepreneurs by providing essential business skills, advice, and mentorship, all offered free of charge through digital channels, events, and capacity development programs.
This knowledge exchange is supported by a volunteer team of over 150 experienced women entrepreneur bloggers who have contributed more than 15,000 original articles packed with practical and contextualized business advice and inspiration.
LOA's resource publications and capacity development programs have significantly enhanced the business skills of WSMEs.
The LOA Investor Readiness programs have improved the ability of WSMEs to access, engage with, and negotiate financing and investments effectively.
LOA events provide opportunities for WSMEs to enhance their business skills by connecting with successful women entrepreneurs in the network who are eager to share their knowledge.
LOA collaborates with government investment agencies, development finance institutions (DFIs), financial institutions (FIs), and investors to create solutions that benefit WSMEs in our network.
Our activities have enhanced access to financing opportunities for WSMEs, helping to close the gender financing gap.
We have streamlined the process for WSMEs seeking bank loans by integrating business bankers into all events and programs, making it easier for them to access, negotiate and secure support.
We have boosted the confidence of WSMEs in pitching for funding through training programs and events that facilitate direct interactions with DFIs, FIs, and investors.
We have strengthened the capacity of financial institutions to create womencentric banking products and services by providing insights, organizing focus groups, and encouraging deeper engagement with WSMEs.
LOA has improved access to markets for WSMEs by exposing them to new export markets, corporate supply chains and opportunities for doing business with fellow WSMEs in the LOA Network.
More WSMEs are conducting business within the LOA network, promoting their offerings through our digital channels, events, Lioness Xpo, and the Lioness Launch platform.
More WSMEs are entering new crossborder markets by collaborating with LOA members in other countries.
More WSMEs are entering international export markets through partnerships and opportunities created at international events like Startup Night Africa.
There is an increase in the number of women gaining access to corporate supply chains, especially those of our impact partners, with whom we actively work to create new entry opportunities.
WSMEs are gaining greater exposure to corporate and government procurement officers through LOA events and the Lioness Xpo.
LOA's Green Business Program (LOAGBP) has enhanced WSME's adoption of sustainable business practices.
Mozambique was selected as a deep dive country for the LOA-GBP, with four tracking surveys undertaken in 2023/4 measuring 11 key impact indicators. Results confirm a majority of WSMEs are choosing to be more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient: 98% applied at least one new green business practice in the previous six months, 51% were 'Minimizing waste', 40% were 'Recycling or Upcycling', 38% were' Sourcing materials from sustainable green manufacturers' and 38% confirmed they were 'Saving Energy'.
WSME participants also confirm they are achieving business benefits by going green: 66% report increased turnover of 10% or more and 60% report cost savings from applying green measures. WSMEs indicated they are creating green jobs, with 32% confirming new hires in the previous six months. 65% of respondents also report they gained access to supply chains during the previous six months due to their improved green business credentials.
We have made progress in helping to close the gender data gap by engaging the Lioness Network to share important insights about their businesses.
We have improved the quantity and quality of data available to DFIs, FIs and investors enabling them to create financial services and policies that better support WSMEs.
Our research has provided valuable insights on business confidence, access to growth financing, job creation, digital transformation, and green business practices among WSMEs.
We have assisted three African bank groups by providing insights and conducting focus groups to help them develop banking services specifically geared towards WSMEs.
The insights we share about the business activities of WSMEs within our network are utilized to enhance the design of financial services and policies aimed at better supporting these enterprises.
OUR IMPACT
In-country events to build the Lioness network and to connect WSMEs to local bank funding, market access and corporate supply chain opportunities.
Lioness Lean In, Luanda, Angola, October 2019. In partnership with: Standard Bank Angola
CREATING IMPACT TOGETHER
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANISATIONS WHO SHARE OUR VISION FOR ADVANCING AFRICA'S WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Lionesses of Africa funds its operations through ‘Impact Partnerships’, working with organisations who share a commitment to our cause of advancing Africa’s women entrepreneurs. Impact partnerships allow us to develop, build and scale a portfolio of initiatives and deliver them to Africa's women entrepreneurs free-of-charge.
Join us as we develop new capacity-building programs, scale our Green Business Portal, and expand access to finance and markets for WSMEs. - contact us today.
"Our Impact Partners share our belief that Africa needs more successful women entrepreneurs, and that Africa's women entrepreneurs need all of us. Our Impact Partners join our mission to provide the support, tools and inspiration required to ensure that all women-led SMEs across Africa have the chance to thrive.”
- Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa
LOOKING FORWARD: OUR VISION FOR THE NEXT DECADE
We plan our future activities based on the invaluable insights we gain from our Lioness Network. We firmly believe that women entrepreneurs, with their unique perspectives and innovative ideas, can drive economic prosperity in Africa.
Looking ahead, having thoroughly assessed what has worked over the past decade, we have identified where we have made a meaningful impact on Africa’s women entrepreneurs. One thing is clear: all our future efforts must remain centred on The Lioness Network. We are committed to actively gathering and using actionable insights from our network to guide the development of our future activities. We believe those closest to the problem are often closest to the solutions, so we will continue to listen closely to the voices of our women entrepreneurs.
Our vision is grounded in three strategic priorities as we enter the next decade. First, we will sharpen our efforts to create a positive impact for women entrepreneurs by leveraging our network as a market opportunity for WSMEs. We also plan to expand our programs to improve access to markets and financing for WSMEs. Second, we will strengthen our research capabilities to close the gender data gap and inform effective financial products and policies for women entrepreneurs, improving the enabling environment for WSMEs. Finally, we will launch innovative programs like the Green Business Portal to promote environmentally responsible business practices and align WSMEs with global SDG targets.
We eagerly anticipate realizing this vision together with our Lioness Network members and our valued impact partners. With our collective efforts, we are confident that we can continue to make a significant difference in the lives of Africa’s women entrepreneurs.
NEW IMPACT FOCUSED PROJECTS LAUNCHING IN 2025 SPOTLIGHT
LOA Launches New Research on Growth Funding for WSMEs
With this research study, LOA, in partnership with a DFI and a leading European academic research partner, will deliver robust and comprehensive data on funding challenges and gaps facing African WSMEs in growth mode. These important insights will inform the work of DFIs and FIs who are developing tailored financial products and services for WSMEs in Africa, giving them access to more effective financing mechanisms. This creates impact by improving the support women require to grow their businesses, empowering them to generate economic prosperity, improve their communities, create jobs, and contribute to Africa’s economic growth.
300 WSMEs to Benefit From New Funding Readiness Program
In 2025, LOA, in collaboration with two leading panAfrican financial institutions, will launch a new capacity development program aimed at preparing 300 WSMEs in South Africa to become credit-ready for funding support from the partner institutions. This initiative will provide women entrepreneurs with access to advanced business development training, mentorship, and assistance in preparing to secure credit from financial institutions. The program aims to foster an ongoing supportive environment that promotes business growth and job creation among the cohort of 300 WSMEs.
LOA New Green Business Portal Planned to Support WSMEs
LOA is currently seeking partnerships for the exciting roll-out of a new Lioness Green Business Portal, which aims to empower WSMEs to grow their businesses by adopting sustainable green business practices. The new Portal will provide tools, knowledge resources, networks and business showcase opportunities to encourage more environmentally responsible practices and align operations with SDG targets, especially SDG13. The Lioness Green Business Portal will also provide essential peer-to-peer connectivity for African WSMEs through case studies, storytelling, business profiles, and learning and networking opportunities.
