Growing small businesses for greater impact: EntreprenHER in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa

"Indigenous foods aren't just about filling stomachs," Elise Iihuwa, founder of Namashisha Investments in Namibia insists. "They heal bodies."

After embracing indigenous foods to combat her diabetes, Elise transformed her health solution into a business opportunity, producing traditional oils, sugar-free porridge, and fermented juices that now ship as far as Poland. "My glucose levels were dangerously high. The doctor had me injecting insulin twice daily," she recalls.

Elise's transformation represents just one success story from EntreprenHER, a partnership between UN Women and De Beers Group that is empowering women running micro-enterprises in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The programme addresses economic inequality in a region where women bear the heaviest burden of economic exclusion.

"In 2024 alone, EntreprenHER trained 491 women entrepreneurs through the International Labour Organization's business modules," explains Agnes Phiri, UN Women Programme Specialist. "One great success is forging partnerships with financial institutions to provide small grants to women entrepreneurs."

Elise is among 182 Namibian entrepreneurs who received training. "Before, I would spend business income on personal things without proper accounting," she admits. The programme taught her basics from bookkeeping to marketing, leading to catering service contracts and employment opportunities. At one point, she employed 24 people at a restaurant in the National Namibian Museum, though COVID-19 forced her to scale back temporarily, she has managed to rebuild her business to employ six part-time and two full-time employees. She is also in the process of moving to bigger premises.

Now in its third phase (2024-2026), EntreprenHER aims to empower 1,500 women entrepreneurs, building on work that has already reached over 2,600 women since 2017. In addition to core business training, the programme offers specialized training in digital literacy, financial skills, Climate Smart Agriculture, and strategies for thriving in male-dominated industries.

In Botswana, the programme trained 159 women entrepreneurs through Improve Your Business modules, surpassing its target of 150. Gaone Mabalane's Little Saviours Academy in Mogoditsane is one of the success stories. Starting with just six students in 2017, Gaone joined EntreprenHER after COVID-19 nearly destroyed her business.

"When EntreprenHER found me, I was trying to recover and finding it hard to retain employees," recalls Gaone. The programme taught her valuable skills in employee management and business development.

Gaone’s school grew from 90 to 274 students and from 15 to 50 employees. She's expanded from Grade 4 to Grade 7 classes and connected with women suppliers through networking opportunities. She has also gone on to win multiple awards in Southern Africa for her business success.

"EntreprenHER was a worthwhile investment because I can directly see the impact on my business and my life," says Gaone, who now plans to open a high school.

In South Africa, 34-year-old Makgabo Moremi from Blouberg is one of 150 women entrepreneurs who graduated from the programme in 2024. She started her business shortly after leaving her banking career and deciding to pursue her passion for manufacturing cleaning chemicals. Her company, BCF Chemical and Cleaning Services, began by reselling products before she started manufacturing hand sanitizers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I knew much about chemicals but lacked formal business training," Makgabo explains. Through EntreprenHER, she learned proper business planning, market research, and financial management.

The knowledge propelled her from operating out of her home to renting a store and expanding her product line to six different items. She secured funding twice and now employs a small team with dreams of national expansion.

Makgabo has ensured her success benefits her community. As chairperson and founder of Blouberg Entrepreneurs, a support and network group for women entrepreneurs in her community, she shares her knowledge with nearly 400 members, up from fewer than 100 when she began training.

As Southern Africa continues its economic development journey, the success of EntreprenHER demonstrates how targeted support for women entrepreneurs creates positive change that extends beyond individual businesses to transform entire communities.