{Forbes} Meet Africa's Most Successful Women, Mo Abudu

The Executive Chairman and CEO of Ebony Life TV, Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle network,  Mo Abudu was announced on Thursday 1 January, 2015 by Forbes  as Africa’s Most Successful Woman of The Year.

 

Mo, who has been described by international news outlets as ‘Africa’s Africa’, is keen in her resolve to rewrite Africa’s story.

In a recent interview with Forbes, she recounts her entrepreneurial journey and reflects on the lessons she has learned along the way.

 Speaking on her entrepreneurial journey and lessons she has learned along the way, she said “This kind of afro-pessimism simply fuelled a burning, deep-seated desire in my subconscious to one day help to rewrite the African story; to get people to talk about the issues that affect our society and to tell the African narrative in a contemporary and interesting way; to change the perception the world had of us; to let the world know that in spite of our challenges as a developing continent, Africans are not a bunch of savages but mostly a breed of gifted and remarkable people.”

Also recently honoured with a Doctorate degree at Babcock University, spoke at MIPCOM 2014’s Global Channel Distribution Day at Auditorium Esterel, Palais des Festivals.

 “Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, they are not even half of the work; execution is everything. Yes, as the saying goes, ‘there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come’, but when that time comes, you must be prepared to bleed sweat, tears and blood to bring your ideas to life.”  Mo Abudu responded, when asked to give an advice to people who will like to follow her entrepreneurial footsteps.

She continued saying, “For women, never ever see your gender as a handicap. Never think yourself inferior. Be ready to do twice the work for half the usual reward. When the door isn’t opened, kick down the door. Take the regular harassment and other obstacles women face in stride. In fact, be prepared for them. Be prepared to be told off, to be told you are not good enough, to go unrewarded for even doing the same work your male counterpart has done. 

Work with your passion, let it consume and drive you. Do not be distracted. On down days, it will keep you going. Also, surround yourself with like minds. In fact, you should exhaustively curate those who will go along with you on your journey. I can’t say that enough.”

Other women who have been listed in past are Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO, one of Zimbabwe’s largest security companies, Khanyi Dhlomo, a 36- year-old South African media mogul, unconventional visionary, and a builder of big dreams.