‘They assume the man next to me is the owner’: four women doing business in Africa in their own way

From feeding schoolchildren to recycling tyres, these entrepreneurs are challenging stereotypes while solving social and environmental problems

Africa is thought to have a higher proportion of female entrepreneurs than any other continent and yet many still struggle to access financing. Four business leaders from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi tell us about the inspiration behind their success – and the challenges women still face.

Ifedolapo Runsewe, Nigeria: giving waste tyres a new life

On the outskirts of Ibadan in south-west Nigeria, thousands of discarded tyres are fuelling an industrial experiment.

They arrive at Freee Recycle’s factory where they are sorted, shredded and reduced to rubber granules. Some will become playground surfaces. Others will be turned into gym flooring, paving blocks and interlocking tiles.