Women are the foundation of any society, they are the pillars that support a structure together with a man. To say that one is better or more important than the other would be a big mistake because both coexist to do their best and be the best, and healthy competition does not harm anyone.
Being young has its advantages and disadvantages. Being young and entrepreneurial may not be easy for everyone, but as we strive to achieve something with our lives every day, young people must be counted on to shape our future and make us better people personally and for society at large.
Next are young people who are movers and shakers, as well as awareness-raising entrepreneurs who are different in their passion areas.
I feel obliged to share this writing because they have encouraged me and awakened the passion to do more than what I have limited myself to, I want to make waves and so do all of you.
We are young and inspired to escape the norm of idleness by being different and in doing so creating opportunities for others like us.
Nigerian Affiong Williams, founder of Reel Fruit
This is how Forbes Africa describes it:
Reel fruit, founded in March 2014, is an emerging fruit processing company focused on the packaging, branding and processing of quality, local fruit products. The first product is a range of dried fruit and dried fruit snacks. The products are currently stocked in more than 80 stores in Nigeria.
Reelfruit is an award-winning brand that won an international women in business competition in the Netherlands, as well as an SME (Creative Focus) Expo in Lagos, Nigeria. Williams is trying to expand its walnut business into the lucrative airline market. She is raising capital to build a factory on the outskirts of Lagos next year. I hope to be on the cover of Forbes Africa in five years, she says.
Banke Kuku: Founder/Creative Director, Banke Kuku Textiles
Banke’s entrepreneurship blossomed at the tender age of 5 when he took the initiative to start assembling. Her continuing fascination with her fabrics led her to study a foundation course in Art and Design and eventually Textile Design at Chelsea College of Art and Design. With work experience at fashion houses such as Matches Fashion Store, Burberry, Tank Magazine, Designers Guild Interiors and Jasmine Di Milo (where I honed my skills in textiles for fashion), what she brings to the table through Banke Kuku Textiles (founded in 2011) is a fusion of traditional African and Western culture to create unique fabrics for the fashion industries.
Bankole Cardoso: Managing Director, Easy Taxi Nigeria
Bankole has always had a keen interest in business concepts, which prompted him to study Accounting and Business/Management, a business-related degree at Boston College, USA. Through Easy Taxi Nigeria (founded in 2013), he developed Easy Taxi App, which is a technology-driven app that provides convenience for passengers to book taxis anywhere, anytime at the click of a button. Bankole has been featured in Forbes Magazine’s 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa 2014 list and CNN Africa Startup, also in the same year.
Mosunmola Umoru: CEO, Honeysuckles PTL Ventures
Mosunmola needs no introduction in the Nigerian agricultural space. An agribusiness entrepreneur specializing in food production, cultivation, processing and distribution, Ms. Umoru is known by the nickname “Pretty Farmer” because her passion for agriculture through her company Honeysuckles PTL Ventures, which she founded in 2004, was not exactly the norm for the average Nigerian businesswoman. Mosunmola, an Ashoka member and founder of the ABIRA social enterprise agribusiness support initiative, has served on various panels as an inspiration to women in various African countries.
Yasmin Belo-Osagie: Co-Founder, Leads Africa
Yasmin co-founded She Leads Africa in 2014 with the intention of focusing on providing funding and mentoring to empower the next generation of dynamic female entrepreneurs in multiple countries who are constantly challenged to access capital as well as appropriate guidance. Through a well-structured concept, her first competitive event took place in 2014 and proved to be very inspiring for future female entrepreneurs. Ms. Belo-Osagie, along with her business partner, Afua Osei (Ghana) were listed by Forbes as one of the 20 Youngest Powerful Women in Africa 2014.
Adaora Mbelu: CEO, Innovation Factory Limited
Adaora is a young business development and public relations guru who became passionate about entrepreneurship with the goal of creating viable business strategies for organizations to adopt. With her company, Her Innovation Factory, which she founded in 2011, she has been able to positively affect the business growth of her clients by developing successful brand strategies based on extensive feasibility studies. Ms. Mbelu has received various accolades for her work, some of which include; Future Awards nomination for Entrepreneur of the Year (Media) 2012, MTV’s Promising Young African Entrepreneur 2011, FAB Magazine Nigeria’s ‘Top 30 Under 30’ 2012, among others.
