46 episodes

According to the World Bank, Africa is the only region in the world where more women than men choose to become entrepreneurs. African Business Stories is a weekly podcast created to give voice to the experiences of these audacious African women. It is your insight into female innovators and entrepreneurs building and running businesses in Africa.The power of seeing successful people that look like you can never be overemphasized and so we are taking hold of our narrative and telling our own stories in order to inspire and multiply success not only in Africa but around the world.

African Business Stories Akaego Okoye

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 20 Ratings

According to the World Bank, Africa is the only region in the world where more women than men choose to become entrepreneurs. African Business Stories is a weekly podcast created to give voice to the experiences of these audacious African women. It is your insight into female innovators and entrepreneurs building and running businesses in Africa.The power of seeing successful people that look like you can never be overemphasized and so we are taking hold of our narrative and telling our own stories in order to inspire and multiply success not only in Africa but around the world.

    Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun: Co-Founder & Chairperson The United Africa Group - The Winning Mindset, Defying the Odds to Build a Multi-Billion Dollar Conglomerate.

    Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun: Co-Founder & Chairperson The United Africa Group - The Winning Mindset, Defying the Odds to Build a Multi-Billion Dollar Conglomerate.

    On this weeks episode, I chat with Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the United Africa Group, a privately owned multi-billion-dollar business conglomerate in Namibia that has been in operation since 1992.
    We talked about the enduring impact her late father has had on her both in life and in business. She shared his 4 guiding principles which she continues to live by and also her own business lessons having built and sustained multiple successful businesses over the past 29 years.
    Martha obtained an MBA in Finance from the University of California Berkley, USA; an MBA from the University of California, Santa Clara, California, USA and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management from St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville Virginia, USA. 
    In November 2015, Martha was conferred with a Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa in Business Administration from the University of Namibia, as a tribute to her contribution to the economy of Namibia and thereafter she founded the Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun foundation aimed at nurturing the African Girl Child to be a key architect of society and a cradle of hope.   
    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
      www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 32 min
    Zainab Ashadu: Founder & Creative Director, Zashadu - The Business of Self Care: From Handcrafted Leather Goods to Holistic Wellness

    Zainab Ashadu: Founder & Creative Director, Zashadu - The Business of Self Care: From Handcrafted Leather Goods to Holistic Wellness

    On this weeks episode, I chat Zainab Ashadu, Founder and Creative Director of  Zashadu a leading sustainable luxury brand that specializes in handcrafted leather pieces all designed and manufactured in Lagos Nigeria.
    We talk about starting her career as an actor, how a chance meeting with an old acquaintance helped her connect with her passion and begin the journey to what is today Zashadu. Zainab is one a few bag makers who still utilizes  ancient artisanry  techniques and it was interesting to learn about the craft and the leather industry in Nigeria.
    Zainab  has a BA  in English and Modern Drama Studies from Brunel University and studied Fashion/Apparel Design at London College of Fashion .  
    All Zashadu products are available for global shipping on their website- https://zashadu.com/
    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
     www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 58 min
    Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe: Founder, Women Leadership Institute - Lessons & Legacy, A Mother's Day Special

    Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe: Founder, Women Leadership Institute - Lessons & Legacy, A Mother's Day Special

    On this weeks episode, I chat with Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe,  a dynamic politician, distinguished public administrator, educationist, gender and social engineer and activist, writer and diplomat.   She is the Founder and Chairperson of the Women Leadership Institute (WLI) - WLI  is an international leadership development organization focused on developing the leadership capacity of women across Africa.

    Dr. Chikwe shared memories from her childhood and insights into her approach to parenting. She reflected on her career accomplishments, the gap she identified in governance  and the work she is doing through WLI to close that gap- raising a critical mass of women who are leadership conscious and equipping them with the skills they need.

    Dr. Chikwe studied French at the Advanced Teachers' College Owerri and obtained a further degree in French from Queens College, City University of New York. She has a doctorate in Curriculum Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    Dr. Chikwe is a renowned writer; her books are included in both the Nigerian and American curriculum. The books include Kema Chikwe: Across Borders, Women of My Era, Village Boys, First School Day for Adaeze, Kame Chameleon tours the garden, My Precious Book and other publications.  She served as Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland from 2008-2011, a former  Nigerian Federal Minister of Transportation and Federal Minister of Aviation. The first woman to hold either position in Nigeria.

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
    www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 33 min
    Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi: Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services - Seizing Opportunities, The Journey To Enhancing Mental Health Care in Nigeria

    Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi: Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services - Seizing Opportunities, The Journey To Enhancing Mental Health Care in Nigeria

    On this weeks episode, I chat with management consultant and author Chigozirim Otefe-Edebi, Co-Founder Gracehill Behavioral Health Services providers of comprehensive mental health and wellness solutions in Lagos Nigeria.
    We talked about her 12 year career in telecoms, experiencing burnout and quitting suddenly. Her drive as a side hustler and what led her to write her first book - The Side Hustle Workbook and now dedicating her time to building a legacy business with her husband - Providing jobs for medical professionals, enhancing the quality of healthcare and building a world class mental health practice in Lagos, Nigeria.
    Chigo studied Biochemistry at University of Benin, Nigeria. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Leadership and Management at York St John University in the UK. She is a certified counsellor, an advocate for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and authored two books: ‘The Side Hustle Workbook and Strategies for coping in a toxic environment – lessons from the animal kingdom’.

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
     www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Bunmi Olunloyo: Founder & Creative Director, Bailamos Dance Company - Challenging Perceptions and Empowering Women Through Dance

    Bunmi Olunloyo: Founder & Creative Director, Bailamos Dance Company - Challenging Perceptions and Empowering Women Through Dance

    On this weeks episode, I chat with lawyer, dancer, actress and choreographer, Bunmi Olunloyo the Founder & Creative director Bailamos Dance Company a professional dance training fitness and wellness centre in Lagos Nigeria. She is also the creative and managing director for FIT BY BUNMI an active and Athleisure clothing line.
    We talk about how her passion for dance led her away from a career in law. How she has dealt with and overcome the stereotypes associated with professional dancing in Nigeria, going from being body shamed to being a body confidence coach and her new venture Fit By Bunmi.
    Bunmi holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, Nigeria and is also a qualified lawyer in Nigeria. She is currently an Associate member and certified teacher and judge under the International Dance Teachers Association UK. With over 17 years experience she has produced, choreographed and directed various showcases. She performs and plays Lead in the Internationally acclaimed theatre production FELA AND THE KALAKUTA QUEENS produced by BAP PRODUCTIONS and is a judge in WORLD OF DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES for the West Africa Region. 


    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
     www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 47 min
    Saray Khumalo: Executive Coach & Founder, Summits With a Purpose - Lessons From the Mountain, First Black African Woman to Summit Mount Everest

    Saray Khumalo: Executive Coach & Founder, Summits With a Purpose - Lessons From the Mountain, First Black African Woman to Summit Mount Everest

    On this weeks episode, I chat with award winning Mountaineer, philanthropist and Executive Coach Saray Khumalo. Saray is the Founder of Summits With a Purpose an initiative that has raised funds and built physical and digital libraries in disadvantaged African schools. She believes that literacy and education have the power to change the narrative for the next generation. She is also the Founder and  Host of the Podcast, Because It's There.

    On May 16, 2019, on her fourth attempt, Saray summited Mount Everest, becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. We talked about how suffering personal loss caused her to lean into a life of service and purpose. What it means to discover ones why, failing forward and the fact that we are all extraordinary and being ordinary is a choice we make. Saray is also a fully certified Executive Coach. She uses lessons from her mountaineering triumphs to help businesses and individuals explore and unleash their full potential and achieve set goals. 
    Saray's African Business Story is about being deliberate in breaking the shackles of convention. It is about triumph.

    To learn more about Saray and the work she does - https://saraykhumalo.com/
    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:
    www.africanbusinessstories.com

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:
    https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/

    AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

Bootyhile ,

Inspiring stories

As an African female business owner, I can’t over emphasize the importance of hearing how others who look like me, have been able to achieve great success and remain true to themselves. Kudos!

CLB2205 ,

Inspiring

Truly inspiring stories.

Uncle UZ ,

Very Interesting

A real resource for what is happening on the African Continent and how to build a business

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