HerMeNow Bridging Ambition and Opportunity for Women Entrepreneurs in Middle East and Africa
- Anam
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
How HerMeNow Supports Women Entrepreneurs in Middle East and Africa
The journey of women social entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Africa is rarely a linear path. It is a series of steps forward, pauses, pivots, and breakthroughs that often happen quietly, away from the headlines. At HerMeNow, we have always believed that real change begins when women are given not just a platform to launch but a community to lean on and a network that continues to believe in them long after the spotlight fades.
HerMeNow is more than an accelerator. It is a space where women with ideas that carry social value can find the knowledge, mentorship, resources, and human support they need to build something that matters. Since its inception, the program has guided over a hundred women-led social enterprises, and its reach continues to ripple across countries, communities, and families.
More Than a Accelerator Program
Many accelerators conclude their work on the day they make their final pitch. At HerMeNow, the final day is only one moment in an ongoing story. We remain in close touch with our participants and finalists, sharing resources, providing non-financial guidance, and opening doors for those ready to grow. Regular WhatsApp updates, one-on-one calls, and community check-ins are part of how we stay connected. These touchpoints may seem simple, but they have often been the link between an idea that fades and a venture that finds its next chapter.
HerMeNow in Action: The Story of Nonhlanhla Mhlongo
This month, we are proud to present a woman who embodies the spirit of this journey: Nonhlanhla Mhlongo, founder of Khwezi Innovation and a participant in the 2023 HerMeNow Accelerator cycle. Behind the scenes, Nonhlanhla has been making remarkable progress. She has represented her venture at some of Africa’s most important gatherings, including Science Forum South, Africa’s Green Economy, Climate Tech Founders and Funders, and the Africa Tech Summit.
Her dedication and vision have not gone unnoticed. Nonhlanhla was named a finalist for the Forty Under 40 Africa and the Young Leaders Awards 2025. Her project, Khwezi Innovations, has been selected as a beneficiary for Orange Corners South Africa 2025, giving her the resources to further develop her initiative. And in a milestone moment, she has been chosen for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship Program 2025, which will soon take her to the United States, where she will continue her journey at Alabama A&M University in Birmingham.
Stories like Nonhlanhla’s are not just individual successes. They are proof of what becomes possible when women entrepreneurs are seen, supported, and connected to the right ecosystems. HerMeNow provided the foundation, but it is her courage and relentless drive that have carried her forward.
Why Social Impact Matters
The women we work with do not start businesses for the sake of business alone. Their ventures often arise from the needs they witness around them, from waste management to education, and from sustainable textiles to inclusive employment. These are businesses that address gaps in society while creating livelihoods. They are businesses that measure success not only in revenue but also in the communities they uplift.
Supporting social impact businesses led by women has a multiplier effect. A woman who gains financial stability tends to invest in her family, her team, and her neighborhood. A woman who builds a sustainable venture often inspires other women to step forward. And a network that believes in her multiplies her reach.
The Road Ahead
HerMeNow’s work is not finished. While the accelerator cycles create a focused period of growth and exposure, the real impact lies in what comes after. We remain committed to providing both financial and non-financial pathways for women who are ready to grow their enterprises. We continue to explore partnerships that allow more flexible funding, and we maintain the simple yet powerful practice of staying in touch.
The future will bring new cohorts, new collaborations, and new stories about women like Nonhlanhla who refuse to settle for limitations placed on them by the system, markets, or the culture.
More Than an Accelerator
To describe HerMeNow as an accelerator is only the beginning. It is a bridge between ambition and opportunity. It is a listening ear when the road gets difficult and a network that celebrates both the small wins and the major milestones. It is a reminder that social change does not happen in isolation; it happens when people and programs commit to walking the journey together.
We celebrate Nonhlanhla's achievements as she prepares to embark on her next chapter in the United States, viewing them not only as a personal victory but also as a reflection of what is possible when women are given space to create, fail, learn, and rise again. For every woman like her, many more are waiting for that one connection, conversation, or moment of belief that can change their course.
HerMeNow will continue to be that catalyst. When women succeed, their communities also thrive.
To learn more about how Hermenow Accelerator is supporting women-led social enterprises in MENA, please visit our website, www.hermenow.com.
If you are a HerMeNow participant or alumni, book your free coaching session now through the HerMeNow website https://www.hermenow.com/wellness.
Anam Anjum
Wellness Consultant
+971 52 629 9656
