Tania Habimana’s entrepreneurship lessons for the youth

Tania Habimana, a London Belgian entrepreneur and co-founder of Non-Zero Africa, a marketing agency focused on enterprise development and impact programs in Africa, shared valuable insights on her entrepreneurship journey and lessons for ambitious young businesswomen in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Non-Zero Africa primarily works with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and youth entrepreneurship development. While the company is currently based in South Africa, they are in the process of expanding to East Africa, particularly targeting Kenya and Tanzania. Habimana emphasized the importance of partnerships in their expansion strategy. She highlighted the need for strong partnerships with larger companies to help small businesses and startups grow effectively. Habimana's entrepreneurial spirit dates back to her early years when she started organizing events at the age of 12 to contribute to her family's income and support her studies. Her proactive approach to identifying opportunities and taking the initiative has been a driving force in her entrepreneurial endeavors. Drawing from her experience as an e-commerce analyst and digital marketer, Habimana assists SMEs in digitalizing their operations to enhance efficiency and expand into new markets. She encouraged young women aspiring to start their own businesses to begin their entrepreneurial journey without hesitation. Habimana stressed the importance of taking the first step, even if challenges and uncertainties exist. She acknowledged that mistakes are inevitable but viewed them as valuable learning experiences that contribute to growth. Her advice to budding female entrepreneurs is to start small with the resources at hand, without waiting for ideal conditions. Despite her privileged educational background in the UK, Habimana highlighted the accessibility of online resources for acquiring valuable skills at minimal costs. Digital platforms such as Google products, YouTube, Coursera, and online mentorship opportunities can equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and expertise. She emphasized the significance of leveraging digital tools and seeking mentorship to overcome barriers to entry in the business world. In conclusion, Tania Habimana's entrepreneurial journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a proactive mindset. Her commitment to empowering young businesswomen through practical advice and encouragement underscores the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and innovation in Africa.