At a Glance
- Women entrepreneurs are powering Malawi’s growth across fashion, technology, and clean energy.
- Their ventures tackle unemployment, expand exports, and build inclusive business ecosystems.
- Malawi emerges as a rising frontier for female-led innovation in Southern Africa.
Malawi is emerging as one of Africa’s quiet engines of entrepreneurship, powered by a new generation of women reshaping business across fashion, technology, energy, and social enterprise.
From Lilongwe to Blantyre, female entrepreneurs are driving innovation that tackles unemployment, advances clean energy, and redefines Malawi’s place in the regional economy.
These trailblazers are not only building companies but also creating ecosystems—training youth, empowering women, and expanding exports in industries from circular fashion to digital hubs.
Their ventures illustrate how female leadership is unlocking growth in one of Southern Africa’s fastest-changing markets, positioning Malawi as a rising frontier for inclusive and sustainable business.
Here’s a curated look at 10 female entrepreneurs driving business growth in Malawi, compiled by Shore.Africa:
Lilly Alfonso — Founder, LA (Fashion & Manufacturing)
A pioneer in Malawi’s ready-to-wear fashion industry, Lilly Alfonso transformed her childhood passion into a global brand.
Her atelier has grown into a label that exports bespoke collections while creating local jobs in pattern-making and garment finishing.
With international runway appearances and global media coverage, Alfonso is positioning “Made in Malawi” as a premium label in African fashion.
Ellen “Chmba” Chilemba — Founder, Tiwale
Named a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree and Gates Foundation Goalkeeper, Chmba is empowering women through Tiwale, a social enterprise she founded at just 17.
By blending micro-enterprise training with vocational skills in sewing and tie-dye production, she helps women launch income-generating businesses while re-entering education.
Her work places her among Africa’s leading voices in youth empowerment and gender equality.
Zilanie Gondwe — Founder & CEO, Blackmore Creative Agency
A journalist and social activist turned entrepreneur, Zilanie Gondwe built Blackmore Creative Agency into a force for Malawi’s creative economy.
Her agency has shaped events such as Lake of Stars and FAME, giving artists, SMEs, and tourism businesses stronger commercial pathways while amplifying Malawi’s cultural footprint in the region.
Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi — Co-founder & Exec. Director, Mzuzu E-Hub
Kambuzi leads Mzuzu E-Hub, an innovation and entrepreneurship center equipping startups and MSMEs with mentorship, co-working space, and investor readiness.
Her focus on youth and women-led businesses is helping grow northern Malawi’s tech and enterprise pipeline.
She also serves on boards such as Commonwealth Business Women Malawi, driving policies that advance women in leadership.
Selina Mwenelupembe — Co-owner, Mount Carmel Ltd; Executive Chair, COMFWB Malawi
Mwenelupembe operates at the intersection of business and policy. As co-owner of Mount Carmel Ltd, she runs a construction company handling road rehabilitation, bridges, and water infrastructure projects.
At the same time, as Executive Chair of COMFWB Malawi, she advocates for women entrepreneurs’ access to procurement and finance, directly linking policy change to economic opportunity.
Vanessa Nsona — Founder, Dorovee (Circular Fashion & MSME Training)
Nsona’s social enterprise Dorovee blends sustainability with entrepreneurship. By transforming waste and indigenous materials into exportable eco-accessories, she is building a brand rooted in the circular economy.
The initiative also trains young mothers and out-of-school girls, recycling plastics, paper, and textiles into market-ready products while addressing Malawi’s growing pollution challenge.
“Cha Cha” Chawezi Banda — CEO, ChaCha Fashions & Care Homes
Banda is a multi-sector entrepreneur whose ventures span retail, fashion, and care services. Through ChaCha Fashions and Care Homes, she employs and trains women, providing opportunities in both consumer and service sectors.
Her recognition with a 2024 consumer-choice award underscores her role as a leader in Malawi’s retail economy.
Dr. Rachel Sibande — Founder, mHub
One of Malawi’s most prominent tech entrepreneurs, Dr. Rachel Sibande founded mHub, the country’s first innovation and technology hub.
Since 2014, mHub has trained thousands in coding, digital skills, and startup development—laying the foundation for Malawi’s fintech, edtech, and outsourcing industries.
Her achievements have earned her a Google Anita Borg Scholarship and a reputation as a pioneer in Africa’s digital economy.
Joyce Sikwese — Co-founder & Country Lead, Green Impact Technologies
Sikwese is spearheading Malawi’s clean energy revolution through Green Impact Technologies. Her company deploys solar-powered irrigation systems, organic inputs, and productive-use technologies that increase smallholder farmer yields.
Recognized by Africa-wide climate innovation programs, she is helping to scale renewable energy adoption while advancing food security and rural livelihoods.
Thokozani Mijiga-Unyolo — CEO, Air Cargo Malawi
As CEO of Air Cargo Malawi, Mijiga-Unyolo is modernizing the country’s logistics infrastructure.
By upgrading systems for exporters and e-commerce SMEs, she is creating vital pathways for women-owned brands to access regional and global markets.
Her leadership highlights the role of logistics in driving trade competitiveness and supporting Africa’s growth.
