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Nairobi, Kenya – Bird Story Agency, Africa No Filter’s storytelling agency is excited to announce its strategic partnership with AfriLabs, Africa's largest network of innovation and technology hubs . This collaboration will spotlight inspiring stories of women's health and empowerment across Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Rwanda. Through this partnership, bird story agency and AfriLabs will focus attention on narratives that highlight the transformative impact of women involved in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology across these six focus countries. By sharing these stories, the partnership seeks to challenge stereotypes, celebrate local solutions, and amplify the voices of women change-makers in Africa’s innovation ecosystem.  Women’s health and empowerment are critical pillars for sustainable development, and bird story agency seeks to leverage AfriLabs' network of innovation hubs to highlight unique stories of impacting women-focused initiatives. This partnership provides an opportunity to bring the efforts of these women to the global stage, showcasing the creativity, resilience, and impact of African entrepreneurs and innovators.  “We at Bird Story Agency are thrilled to partner with an organization at the heart of Africa’s creative and startup ecosystem. This collaboration opens the door to powerful, untold stories that highlight the impact of investing in and empowering women—stories that deserve the spotlight for a young, dynamic, and influential African audience,” said Mudzithe Phiri, COO and Head of Partnerships, Africa Insight and bird story agency.   “We believe storytelling is a powerful tool for change,” said  Millie Abila, Communications Lead at AfriLabs . “By partnering with Bird Story Agency, we aim to document and share the journeys of women and organizations in our hubs who are making significant strides in improving health outcomes and empowering communities.”  bird, known for its authentic and compelling storytelling, will work closely with AfriLabs to ensure that the stories of these hubs and their impact are captured and shared widely. From health-tech innovations to grassroots empowerment programs, these stories will illustrate how local solutions are addressing global challenges.  The focus countries – Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Rwanda – are home to some of the most dynamic hubs in AfriLabs’ network. Each hub is uniquely positioned to tackle pressing issues related to women’s health and empowerment, leveraging technology and innovation to create lasting change.  About Bird   bird is Africa No Filter’s storytelling agency, a specialist news agency dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa by highlighting authentic and underreported stories. bird works with writers, photographers, and content creators across the continent to share stories that inspire and inform. For more information, visit [ www.bird.africanofilter.org  ]. About AfriLabs   AfriLabs is a network organization supporting innovation hubs across Africa. With over 500 hubs in 53 African countries, AfriLabs fosters collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship to drive sustainable development and economic growth on the continent.   For more information about AfriLabs, visit  www.afrilabs.com .    For media inquiries, please contact pr@afrilabs.com  & comms@afrilabs.com

A group member speaks at AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz The founder of African Women in Europe and African Women in Trade is helping African women break into exports, establish themselves abroad, and grow businesses across continents. Seth Onyango, bird story agency Seated in the living space in her home in Freiburg, Germany, sunlight spilling through the curtains in an early tease of spring, Joy Wanjiru Machugu-Zenz exuded the same balance of grace and power as the symbol behind her. The wooden elephant figurine was clearly a motif for the woman being interviewed: strong, rooted, and unshakably confident. Machugu-Zenz's journey has spanned continents, cultures, and careers. Raised in Kenya and based in Germany, Zenz describes herself as a "perfect migrant." In the interview, she used the term with a wry chuckle. "I’ve taken the best of both worlds," she said. A group member speaks at AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz Moving to Germany at 24 was both exciting and daunting, she explained. Having studied German beforehand, she had a basic understanding of the language, but expressing herself fully was a challenge. "The language was a barrier, but more than that, it was the mindset," she reflected. Her early years were filled with adjustment—to the culture, the language, and the isolation that came from being one of the few African women in her community. “I didn’t want to lose myself because of the challenges. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do better,” she said. A dance performance at AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz It was that very blend of experiences that fueled her to build a thriving network that connects women across Africa and the diaspora. With a background in project management and IT and experience working in Switzerland’s pharmaceutical and banking industries, Zenz’s ambition never waned. Her desire to carve out her space in Europe while maintaining her African identity led her to launch African Women in Europe (AWE). In 2008, when social media was still nascent, Zenz created a website to connect with African women living in Europe. What began as a personal quest to find community quickly grew into something much larger. "I just wanted to know what other Africans were doing in Europe," she recalled. "Within five days of launching the website, 50 women had joined." Today, AWE has over close to 10,000 members as well as partners like Kenya Airways, the Federation of Women in Business, Jumia and the International Trade Centre (ITC). The platform has become a lifeline for women navigating similar challenges, providing a space to share stories, exchange advice, and support one another. Over time, AWE evolved into a full-fledged organization, hosting events across Europe — from Madrid to Geneva — where women could meet in person and celebrate their achievements. "The idea was to dive into the culture of wherever we met," the founder explained. "If we were in Italy, we ate Italian food; in Spain, we danced flamenco. It was about celebrating where we were while staying connected to who we are." AWE also began recognizing African women excelling in business and leadership across Europe through its awards program. Group photo at AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz "We realized that so many women were doing amazing work but staying under the radar," the project manager shared. "When you’re awarded by your own people, it feels different. It’s about being seen and celebrated by the community you represent." Another key initiative born from AWE is its books, where African women who have made their mark in Europe and the UK share their personal stories. "Each chapter is written by a different woman, sharing how they overcame obstacles and built successful lives abroad," Zenz said. "It’s not just about celebrating their achievements but creating a guide for others, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes we did." Her efforts also extend to financial education. Partnering with banks and fund managers, she organizes workshops on investment opportunities, such as money market funds. “Many diaspora women don’t realize they can grow wealth from where they are. It’s about simplifying the technical jargon and showing them the path.” After more than a decade of building AWE, Zenz turned her attention to a new challenge: empowering African women through trade. In 2021, she launched African Women in Trade (AfWITrade) as a response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at boosting intra-African trade by reducing tariffs and improving market access. Speaker at AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz “The AfCFTA enables us to trade within Africa without exorbitant tariffs. For example, now we can pay from Kenya’s shillings to Zambia’s kwacha without going through the US dollar. That’s revolutionary.” One of the standout features of AfWITrade is its matchmaking program, which helps African women in the diaspora invest back home in ways that are fraud-proof. "We’ve seen too many cases where diaspora investments fall apart because of mismanagement on the ground," Zenz explained. "We vet the systems and connect women with trustworthy partners to ensure their investments are safe and impactful." AfWITrade hosts monthly webinars to share information on trade. Joy Zenz and group member speak during AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz Despite its success, Zenz’s work was not without hurdles. From navigating bureaucratic red tape in Africa to overcoming financial barriers for women entrepreneurs, the journey was far from easy. "The systems aren’t always supportive," she admitted. "For example, diaspora investors often face operational challenges on the ground, from poor accountability to outright mismanagement." The project manager was determined to change that. By encouraging value addition — such as packaging and processing goods locally — she aimed to ensure that African businesses retained more of the wealth they generated. "We’re tired of just exporting raw materials," she said. "We want to create jobs and build industries right here in Africa." Zenz’s initiatives have not only provided practical tools for African women but have also worked to dismantle stereotypes about Africa and its diaspora. “I’m fighting this narrative of Africa as poor,” she stated firmly. “We’re proving that African women are financially stable, capable, and driving change.” An attendee speaks during AWE UK 2024. Photo Courtesy: Joy Machugu Zenz Her work with AWE and AfWITrade also brought her closer to her own roots. "We’ve spent so much time focusing on going back to Africa for holidays, but now it’s about going back for trade," she said. "I want us to invest in our communities, not just with money but with ideas and opportunities." "This is our time," the mother of two said. "We have the tools, the networks, and the ambition. Now we need to act." bird story agency

Thato Gabaitse, a climate activist, posing for a picture, during the COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, November 18, 2024. Photo: Seth Onyango, bird story agency "Girl's girl", Thato Gabaitse explores the overlaps of gender violence and climate change, hoping to turn the climate crisis into an opportunity for women. Seth Onyango, bird story agency Thato Gabaitse takes a sip of her coffee, her first real pause after hours of shuttling between meetings. COP29 is a whirlwind of negotiations and high-stakes diplomacy, but Gabaitse’s mission cuts through the noise. “I’m here as a feminist to hold the line...I am a girl's girl,” she declares, her sheer resolve etched on her face. As a climate justice advocate from Botswana, Gabaitse is no stranger to challenging entrenched systems. Her mission is to highlight how the twin crises of climate change and gender inequality are deeply intertwined and demand urgent, equitable solutions. However, her journey into the climate space has hardly been linear — it was forged in the fires of advocacy against gender-based violence. "It all started with a group of women in Botswana standing up and saying, ‘Let’s take this to the streets,’” she recounted. These early days of activism focused on addressing the rampant but often undocumented violence plaguing communities, especially in rural areas. Gabaitse and her peers lobbied parliament, rallied for justice, and amplified the voices of survivors. But as her work took her deeper into Botswana’s communities, another crisis came into sharp focus: climate change. “In Botswana, most communities depend on subsistence farming,” she explained. “But with extreme and extended droughts, families are struggling to survive.” Gabaitse began to see how the effects of climate change exacerbated existing gender inequalities. Women, already burdened with care roles, were now walking longer distances for water and struggling to feed their families as crops withered under an unrelenting sun. Yet, the climate solutions Gabaitse encountered often failed to account for these realities. “There’s so much misinformation and misalignment,” she noted. “Programs meant to help people don’t reach the communities that need them most.” The gaps — between policy and reality, between rhetoric and impact — is where Gabaitse increasingly chose to work. Through her organisation, Breathe the World Botswana, she now helps young climate advocates navigate the labyrinth of international climate policies and funds. “In Africa, we’re always playing catch-up,” she observed. “If young people don’t understand the technical language of negotiations, they can’t align their projects to make the impact that’s needed.” Her advocacy doesn’t stop at translation. She’s calling for nothing less than a systemic overhaul of how climate finance is distributed. “Africa needs the money,” she said bluntly. “We need it in grants, not loans.” Her argument is clear: loans perpetuate a cycle of dependency and debt, forcing governments to divert funds from essential services like agriculture, water, and health. “Moving money from one pot to another doesn’t solve the problem—it makes it worse.” For Gabaitse, true progress requires an end to what she described as “a cycle of neo-colonialism.” She has pushed for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to complement the Paris Agreement, ensuring that the Global South receives both the technical and financial support needed to transition away from fossil fuels. For her, this isn’t just about meeting emissions targets, it’s about justice. “Climate change is hitting the most vulnerable communities the hardest,” she said. “The money must go directly to the people who need it most.” The narrative around women's role in communities is also something that she said needs to change. “Women are not just victims of climate change—they’re at the forefront of finding solutions,” she asserted. In many communities, women organise themselves, creating grassroots strategies to adapt to climate impacts. Yet they remain underrepresented at decision-making tables. “If we don’t have women there, we’ll never act at the scale and speed that’s needed.” Her work in gender equity has also evolved. “It’s no longer just about women empowerment,” she said. “It’s about gender equity—representing all marginalized groups, including men who are struggling, and addressing mental health issues that often go unspoken.” The shift reflects the complexity of the challenges she’s tackling. The stakes are high, and the resources are limited. “There’s so little of us and so much to do,” she admitted, before hurrying on to her next meeting. At COP29, Gabaitse has called for unity among African stakeholders — civil society, negotiators, and governments — to push for a common agenda. “Right now, we’re all speaking different languages. One is technical, the other is more of demands. But we want the same thing.” She said she envisions a future where these groups come together to form a cohesive strategy, amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage. “We have the power to get what we want... We just need to move in an integrated way.” For Gabaitse, hope is a driving force. Despite the overwhelming challenges, she’s committed to the fight — for gender equity, for climate justice, for a future where the wounds of inequality and environmental destruction are healed. “Let’s keep on pushing,” she said, her voice unwavering. “We’re rooting for our leaders, and we’re watching. We want an equitable, just transition—not just words, but action.” In her words and work, Gabaitse is the face of a resilience and resolve that the fight against climate change seems to demand. As she continues to navigate the intersections of gender violence and environmental crisis, she offers a powerful reminder: the struggle for justice, whether social or environmental, is ultimately the same fight — and it’s always one worth waging. bird story agency