On centre-stage: Some enterprising women entrepreneurs from Sudan
#SudanWomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurshipInSudan #WomenLedSuccess #ResilientWomen #InclusiveEconomy
In the heart of Sudan’s evolving economy, women entrepreneurs are emerging as powerful agents of change, resilience & innovation. Sudanese women entrepreneurs are remarkable for their resilience and determination – in overcoming significant socio-economic barriers and cultural constraints
Women Entrepreneurs in Sudan: Rising against all odds
Operating in a landscape shaped by socio-economic hurdles, cultural expectations, and limited access to resources, women from the country known as “The Gift of the Nile” continue to defy the odds – carving out spaces for themselves in the informal sectors of food, retail, services & agriculture.
Here’s a reality check. For many, entrepreneurship begins out of necessity, as a means to support their families. For others, it is a journey toward self-fulfilment and the realization of personal ambition.
From necessity to opportunity: The rise of Women Entrepreneurs in Sudan
Despite systemic barriers such as restrictive gender norms, limited access to finance & minimal representation in formal networks, Sudanese women persist very bravely – bringing creativity, courage & determination to their ventures. They juggle business responsibilities alongside domestic duties (often without institutional support) and, still manage to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader economy.
Amid Sudan’s shifting political and economic landscape, these women are not just surviving – they are indeed, striving. Their stories reflect a larger movement toward opportunity-driven entrepreneurship, where women are not only participating in economic activity but, leading it!! As the momentum builds, their success holds the potential to redefine gender roles and shape a more inclusive and resilient Sudanese economy.
Let us now bring on centre-stage some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Sudan.
> Nahla Omer Zayed Baraka, Founder & CEO, Sukar Cosmetics
Nahla Omer Zayed Baraka is the Founder & CEO of Sukar Cosmetics, which is a natural skincare brand that produces natural, safe & effective products that encourage young women to love their natural beauty. It uses high-quality, locally sought raw materials and the best international ingredients designed with the most innovative methods by a certified, talented pharmacist.
A certified pharmacist who graduated from the University of Khartoum, with a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Technology, she was sufficiently supported, when she decided to launch Sukar Cosmetics (after fixing her own personal skin problem).
So, coming from a scientific background, she knew she needed some new skills to make her business succeed and to become a real entrepreneur. That’s why she decided to join the 1st edition of the Global MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship in Khartoum (in partnership with the University of Medical Science and Technology).
> Sondos Siddig, Founder, Sondos Art Studio
Sondos Siddig wears many hats – for she is a Sudanese Painter and interior, Accessories, and Furniture Designer. Plus, she is the Founder of Sondos Art Studio, which was launched in December 2018, and it specialises in awareness-raising and training in various arts and crafts.
The studio designs and provides handmade products, and also organizes workshops in different artistic fields – including fashion design, detailing, sewing, drawing, colouring on fabrics, and also furniture design, covering the basics of simple carpentry, painting, and restoration.
For technical workshops, they train in – decoupage art, Arabic calligraphy, thermal clay, gypsum works, musical instruments workshops (guitar and violin), drawing (portraits, Mandala, and colouring), visual arts, leather products, and handmade accessories.
> Nisreen Kuku, Owner, KuKu Gallery
Nisreen is a Jewellery and Interior designer who is the owner of KUKU GALLERY in Katarena St. Khartoum. Launched in December 2018, KuKu Gallery is a fusion of African and Sudanese cultures that utilises copper, brass, silver, ebony and different gemstones. They were focused on producing – jewellery inspired by Sudanese culture, heritage, and history. In 2018, KuKu was part of Masha Frika Design and Style Week through a Fashion show in Mambasa.
They studied very carefully the customs and traditions of Sudan’s various tribes; and through research, they identified cultural jewellery, dresses, ornaments, and habits. So, getting inspired by ancient heritage and stunning stories and beliefs, they design custom jewellery based on these artefacts. In fact, they function as an all-in-one design house, working from research to the design and then the creation of jewellery and artefacts.
KuKu Gallery has participated in various cultural exhibitions and research projects, which helped in identifying Sudan’s diverse heritage and cultural traditions. Their pieces are inspired by stories and habits from the various tribes, and what is unique is that their designs in sync with the experience of the Founder.
Recognition has come their way too. The exclusive awards for exhibitions and businesses include: Coral Hotel, Khartoum, Sudan Coral Hotel, Port Sudan, Sudan Dabanga Gallery Shop, Sudan; participating in several other exhibitions to showcase and market designed handicrafts. Recently, she hosted an opening for her newest “Nubian collection”, graced by the French Ambassador of Sudan.
> Ola Hashim, Founder, Colour Services
To take a close look, Ola Hashim is an artist who found herself delving deep in the tech and digital world, following her studies in E-Business. Later on, she became a certified marketer and launched Colour Services, which is a combination of what any brand or company would need to enhance their digital presence in an attractive, artistic way.
Colours also has a digital store – for art supplies and a gallery, besides a Facebook and Instagram Community for artists only. The future vision for Colors is – to be a virtual community that supports artists with publicity and supplies them with affordable, high-quality art supplies so that they can be presented to the entire world.
> Sara Karrar, Co-Founder, Albaranda Interior Design
Sara Karrar is Co-founder of Albaranda Interior Design along with her partner Ethar Ammar. It was launched in late 2017. She is the executive manager in the office and she runs the day-by-day activities. She asserts that they try to do things differently in all the right ways in Albaranda. Stemming from their love for design, Albranada creates online content and conducts workshops in addition to their daily operations.
Interestingly, the team also supports other start-ups and new businesses, as their office is open all day for youth, start-ups & entrepreneurs!! They try to support, collaborate and share knowledge openly and transparently, as they believe ‘art’ is for everybody.
Besides, she has been awarded her Green Associate certification for leadership in Energy and environmental design (LEED) by the United States Green Building Council. Following a sustainability path has always been a personal goal for her that she will continue to tread this path passionately.
> Safia Shatta, Founder & CEO, Mango Gate
Safia Shatta is the Founder and CEO of Mango Gate in Sudan – a specialist language learning platform which was launched in 2020. She is an urban planner, education activist & a passionate polyglot.
Additionally, she is also an alumni of Orange Corners Sudan, a member of Women in Africa (WIA) and eTrade for Women.
Moreover, she has been recognized as a UNDP-4YFN women innovator and the winner of North Africa’s Most Promising Entrepreneur Award at the AfricArena Summit 2022. What is significant is that through Mango Gate, she is dedicated to empowering people through language learning and breaking down communication barriers.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
