Women in a rural African community tending to poultry and farm work together at golden hour
She-Rises Africa · Women's Economic Empowerment

Empowering women.
Strengthening communities.
Inspiring sustainable growth.

We partner with women, families, communities, and institutions to expand economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, skills development, leadership, and sustainable livelihoods — building resilient communities where women thrive, lead, and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

About Us

Who We Are

She-Rises Africa is a nonprofit organization legally registered in South Carolina, USA, with programs and partnerships across Africa. We are committed to advancing women's economic empowerment by supporting entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, cooperatives, and community initiatives that create lasting social and economic value.

Our work is built on the belief that every woman possesses unique talents, leadership potential, and the capacity to drive meaningful change. By expanding access to knowledge, resources, networks, and opportunities, we help women strengthen their livelihoods, grow sustainable enterprises, and contribute to prosperous communities.

Working alongside local partners, governments, private-sector organizations, and community leaders, we design locally driven solutions that create long-term, sustainable impact while respecting culture, dignity, and community ownership.

We first work on the mindset, which is a driver to success. Women have the potential indeed, but they should believe and say 'I can do this.'

Our Motto
"Her empowerment is our foundation."
Women in a rural African community working together, tending to poultry and daily livelihood tasks
Our Vision

The future we're building toward

A future where African women thrive as confident leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and catalysts for sustainable development — contributing to resilient families, prosperous communities, and inclusive economies.

Our Mission

What we do every day

To economically empower African women by expanding access to entrepreneurship, education, leadership development, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihood opportunities through collaborative partnerships and community-driven solutions.

What We Do on the Ground

Our Work

We support women entrepreneurs across rural, semi-urban, and urban settings in Africa — meeting communities where they are. Our intervention areas are proposed and refined based on local context, market conditions, and community preferences.

RHS/Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender Equality, Childcare & Safety are mainstream areas integrated across all our programs and community engagements.

Rural Businesses

Agricultural and nonfarm enterprises in rural settings

Agricultural Sector

  • High-value crop irrigation farming
  • Livestock rearing (poultry, dairy, goats, pigs)
  • Beekeeping
  • Fish farming (aquaculture)
  • Greenhouse / Horticulture (flowers, herbs, ornamental plants)

Nonfarm Rural

  • Handicrafts (baskets, pottery, beadwork, textiles)
  • Farm input store (seeds, pesticides, tools)
  • Food processing (jams, juices, dried fruits)
  • Retail shops & market stalls
  • Tailoring & sewing
  • Hairdressing & beauty salons
  • Catering & food services
  • Mobile money agents / kiosks

Nonfarm Semi-Urban Businesses

Service and trade enterprises in semi-urban areas

Services & Trade

  • Beauty and hair salons
  • Fashion boutiques
  • Food catering and delivery services
  • Mobile phone accessories & repair
  • Handicraft production and sales
  • Tailoring and sewing services

Tech & Manufacturing

  • Soap making & small-scale manufacturing
  • Internet cafés / computer training / DSTV
  • Renewable energy services (solar installation)
  • Transport (motorbike taxis, bicycle rentals)

Urban Agriculture

  • Poultry farming
  • Backyard gardening
  • Rabbit farming
  • Mushroom farming
  • Beekeeping
  • Herb & vertical farming
  • Aquaculture

Urban & City Businesses

Family and community-oriented enterprises in urban centres

Family Services

  • Childcare services
  • Educational toy store
  • Mobile hair salon for kids
  • Children's clothing boutique
  • Family-friendly café
  • Home cleaning services

Food & Commerce

  • Healthy food catering
  • Healthy snack production & delivery
  • Food trucks & street vendors
  • Handmade crafts & artisanal goods
  • Art galleries & craft shops

Events & Lifestyle

  • Event planning (kids' parties, décor, photography)
  • Soap making & small manufacturing
  • Renewable energy (solar services)
The People Behind She-Rises Africa

Founders & Board

She-Rises Africa is led by a committed team of founders and board members who bring together strategic vision, local knowledge, and deep commitment to women's economic empowerment across Africa.

CEO & Founder
Elzabet Jackson
Elzabet Jackson
CEO & Founder
An expert in child development and women's empowerment, she brings a global perspective shaped by her impactful work across South Africa, the UAE, and the United States. As a proudly mom herself, she is deeply driven by the conviction that African mothers possess untapped potential that can be unlocked through targeted empowerment and opportunity. She leads with profound passion and an unwavering commitment to fostering growth and resilience in women and children worldwide.
Co-Founders
Kalkidan Teshager
Kalkidan Teshager
Co-Founder & Program Director
A dedicated Program Director and psychology professional with over 10 years of experience, she specializes in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, and early childhood development across Ethiopia. She has designed sustainable systems for vulnerable children and families with organizations like CCELA, 121 Ethiopia, and Sele-Enat. A trained TBRI® practitioner and leader in national policy development, she currently serves as New Generation Director for the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa.
Shiferaw Fujie
Shiferaw Fujie
Co-Founder & Program Visionary
A social work professional with over 15 years of research leadership in East Africa and hands-on experience supervising social programs in the United States, he specializes in child protection and the design and management of innovative social development programs. He has worked with leading international organizations, including USAID and PSI, as well as managing social service programs in Washington, D.C., for the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Catholic Charities, bringing a unique perspective that integrates global best practices with local implementation.
Nebyeluel Debebe
Nebyeluel Debebe
Co-Founder & Financial Strategy
With over 14 years of experience in banking and Microfinance Institution (MFI) sectors, he is an expert in leading, establishing, and managing financial organizations. Throughout his distinguished career — including leadership roles at Nib Bank and Ahadu Bank, Ethiopia — he has served as Loan Manager, Program/Division Director, and board member of various MFIs, bringing extensive strategic insight into financial governance and women's empowerment fund management.
Board Members
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Adam Raisman
Board Member
A seasoned international development professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving the U.S. Federal Government in Washington, D.C. He specializes in managing and evaluating security, stabilization, and governance programs in fragile and post-conflict states, with a distinguished track record of leadership with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the World Bank, and international partners across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
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Photo coming soon
Afaf Ali Saad
Board Member
Based in Sudan with over 20 years of humanitarian experience, she specializes in MEAL, strategic project management, and data-driven development. She has successfully delivered complex programs in partnership with agencies including WHH, JICA, the Red Cross, Goal, Plan, and Merlin, bringing rich African context and ground-level expertise to the organization.
Emebet Meskel
Emebet Meskel
Board Member
A medical professional in Virginia, USA, with a deep understanding of the context and needs of African women — spanning gender inequality, economic empowerment, reproductive health, and childcare. She additionally brings advanced skills in Microsoft Workspace to support the organization's operations and administration.

Our Commitment to Local Leadership

She-Rises Africa is built on the principle that sustainable development requires locally-owned solutions. Our founders provide strategic direction, resource mobilization, and governance while our collaborative members bring community trust, local knowledge, and implementation capacity.

We are committed to prioritizing local women in leadership and decision-making roles — early and intentionally.

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

i.

Empowerment

We believe every woman has the potential to lead, innovate, and create positive change.

ii.

Equity

We promote fair access to opportunities, resources, and economic participation.

iii.

Community Ownership

We work alongside communities, supporting locally led solutions that reflect shared priorities.

iv.

Integrity

We uphold transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in everything we do.

v.

Collaboration

We believe lasting impact is achieved through meaningful partnerships and collective action.

vi.

Sustainability

We invest in solutions that strengthen long-term economic resilience for women and families.

Our Impact

Sustainable development begins by investing in people's strengths.

Our programs are designed to create lasting opportunities that enable women, families, and communities to flourish — through partnerships, innovation, and community engagement. Our approach is community-centered and partnership-driven, focused on expanding opportunities that enable women to realize their full potential.

Women participating in a solar technology training workshop — investing in people's skills and potential
＋Stronger women-owned businesses
＋Expanded economic opportunities
＋Increased financial inclusion
＋Confident women leaders
＋Resilient families & thriving local economies
＋Inclusive community development

"Success is measured not only by numbers, but by the confidence, leadership, and lasting opportunities women create for themselves, their families, and future generations. Because when women rise, communities flourish."

Get Involved

Creating sustainable change is a shared journey

Whether you are an individual, organization, institution, or corporate partner, there are many ways to become part of the She-Rises Africa community.

Women entrepreneurs collaborating at a She-Rises Africa cooperative workspace and entrepreneurship hub

Partner With Us

Collaborate to expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and community development.

Start a partnership

Support Our Programs

Invest in initiatives that promote economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

Make an impact

Volunteer

Share your expertise, time, and passion to strengthen our programs.

Offer your time

Become a Strategic Partner

Work with us to design innovative solutions that create lasting impact across Africa.

Get in touch
Join Us

Together, we are building resilient communities where women thrive.

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