The Ripple Effect:
How African Women Entrepreneurs Build Businesses for Profit and Impact
Highlights
- Actionable insights on how to grow a business that gives back
- Practical tips on how to pivot and the value of thought leadership
- Inspiration to spark your ripple - get strategies on how to pay it forward
Across the globe, a quiet revolution is underway. Women entrepreneurs are building businesses for profit and purpose. One woman’s success doesn’t just change her life; it creates a ripple through families, communities, and economies. These women are rewriting the rules of success by lifting others as they rise. Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, the impact is felt in waves.
Research done by the World Bank states that women reinvest up to 90% of their income in their families and communities, compared to 35–40% by men. The multiplier effect isn’t theoretical - it’s measurable and transformative.
Doing Good Is Good For Business
While corporations are being pressured to do good, women-owned businesses are already leading the way. A credo of impact constructs every enterprise. When their businesses grow, entire communities rise with them.
At the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC), we’ve tracked this ripple effect over seven years, and the numbers speak volumes. For every woman directly supported by our program, an average of at least ten others in her network benefit, and this is just the direct impact on immediate family and employees! The indirect impact is even more significant.
We’re bringing these stories to life through The AWEC Ripple Effect podcast. This series spotlights the women behind the movement and the meaningful change they’re driving across Africa and beyond.
New episodes premiere every Monday and Thursday!
Set your calendar so you never miss the bold, generous, and game-changing stories of women entrepreneurs building businesses that shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Listen, be inspired, and discover how businesses that lead with generosity shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.
For every woman directly supported by our program, an average of at least ten others in her network benefit, and this is just the direct impact on immediate family and employees! The indirect impact is even more significant.
EPISODE 1
Creating Legacy Through Lasting Ripples
What happens when women entrepreneurs take what they’ve learned and pass it on? Transformation is inevitable! In this episode of The Ripple Effect of Paying It Forward, meet AWEC alumnae who stepped into leadership by training and empowering women in their local communities.
You will hear heartfelt stories and inspiring takeaways from alumnae who’ve seen firsthand how sharing knowledge can ignite confidence, unlock opportunities, and multiply impact. From small group trainings in marketplaces to formal business workshops, these women are proving that modest acts of giving back are a seed to plant a legacy.
Bold moves by women to grow themselves and their communities take center stage in these conversations, offering practical wisdom about how these selfless initiatives often result in a big personal return on investment. If you’ve ever wondered how your business can drive community transformation, this episode provides the inspiration and tools to help you pay it forward and spark your ripple.
Guests: Oluyemi Orija (Nigeria), Atinuke Smith (Nigeria), Colette Ndi (Cameroon)
Guests: Oluyemi Orija (Nigeria), Atinuke Smith (Nigeria), Colette Ndi (Cameroon)
EPISODE 2
Paying It Forward in the Community
When you hear "corporate social responsibility," most people think of glossy reports from big companies with deep pockets. Now, imagine what happens when small businesses, especially those led by women, decide to make impact a part of their everyday operations.
In this episode, we’re flipping the script on traditional CSR. You’ll hear from AWEC alumnae who are already doing this as they share what paying it forward looks like from the ground up:
1. Mentoring youth
2. Launching community projects
3. Integrating purpose into their core business models and more!
What are the benefits of giving back as a small business owner? The guests get candid about the challenges and offer advice for entrepreneurs who want to grow their business and make a difference, even with limited resources.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your small business can make a big impact, this episode is your answer.
This episode premieres today, Thursday, at 10 AM UTC.
Guests: Freda Muyambo (Zimbabwe), Ruth Marinez-Lago(Namibia), Victorine Sarr (Ghana)
Guests: Freda Muyambo (Zimbabwe), Ruth Marinez-Lago(Namibia), Victorine Sarr (Ghana)
Guests: Hussaina Ajala (Nigeria), Priscah Mufunde (Zimbabwe), Mercy Okoth (Kenya)
Guests: Hussaina Ajala (Nigeria), Priscah Mufunde (Zimbabwe), Mercy Okoth (Kenya)
EPISODE 3
Evolving with Purpose: Pivoting, Thought Leadership, and Giving Back
Most, if not all, entrepreneurs will hit a crossroads: a moment when the path ahead requires a pivot, a bold decision, or a reimagining of purpose. For women entrepreneurs, these shifts often come with an added layer of responsibility: not only to grow a thriving business but also to uplift the communities. The drive to not just increase revenue, but to lead with clarity and give back with intention.
In this episode, we hear from AWEC alumnae who have embraced change, stepped into thought leadership, and used their journeys to create space for others. We also spotlight the powerful ripple effect of the AWEC Community Champions Initiative (CCI), a program where AWEC alumnae pay it forward by training and uplifting women in their local communities, proving that true impact is rooted in shared growth.
From business pivots to pursuing thought leadership to grassroots empowerment - this episode offers real stories, practical advice, and bold inspiration for entrepreneurs navigating change, sharpening their brand, and creating lasting impact in their communities.
This episode premieres on Monday, July 14th at 10AM UTC.
Guests: Kudzayi Nheweyembwa (Zimbabwe), Nobandla Gobodo(South Africa), Doris Ahiati (Ghana), Maame Efua Tandoh (Ghana)
Guests: Kudzayi Nheweyembwa (Zimbabwe), Nobandla Gobodo(South Africa), Doris Ahiati (Ghana), Maame Efua Tandoh (Ghana)
EPISODE 4
Paying It Forward Through Mentorship
Entrepreneurship is a fulfilling yet lonely journey, filled with tough decisions, moments of doubt, and constant pressure to do more with less. The good news is that the path doesn’t have to be walked alone. In this episode, we look at how mentorship, one of the most powerful and personal ways to give back, becomes a lifeline for many entrepreneurs.
At AWEC, we believe deeply in the power of mentorship because we’ve seen it transform businesses, unlock leadership potential, and build lasting connections across the continent. When someone believes in you, guides you, and challenges you to grow, the ripple effect is undeniable.
This two-part episode (we were having so much fun, we couldn’t keep it to just one!) explains why mentors generously devote their time and how mentees can translate their guidance into real-world transformation. Hear powerful stories of growth, tough lessons, and transformation through the lens of AWEC mentors and alumnae who’ve journeyed together.
If you’re an entrepreneur seeking coaching or someone ready to give back, this episode is your call to step into the ripple. You’ll learn the value of mentorship in both business and life.
Part 1 of this episode premieres on Thursday, July 17th & Part 2 on Monday, July 21st at 10AM UTC.
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