Recognising refugee women entrepreneurs across Europe

Last Mafuba, Founder & CEO of Inini Initiative

Last Mafuba, who migrated to the UK from Zimbabwe as a refugee, has been recognised as a Visa Pioneer for her vital work supporting other refugees with integration and mental health support.

It was Last’s own experiences as an asylum seeker that gave her an insight into the realities faced by those uprooted by turmoil, and the challenges involved in seeking a better life elsewhere. Having lived in hostels with other asylum seekers, Last saw first-hand the difficulties of having your entire life uprooted, of trying to integrate into a new country, and of having to learn a new language. 

Many people facing such conditions find themselves isolated, and can often struggle with their mental health as a result — but the systems designed to support mental health do not always work for displaced people. Having observed that many refugees referred to therapy services would often disengage after just a few sessions, Last was inspired to create the Inini Initiative, which she set up in 2017.

Named ‘Inini’ after the Karanga word meaning ‘the self’, the Inini Initiative works to support ethnic minorities and their communities to help them understand and navigate their new social terrain. Inini provides a safe space for people from a range of backgrounds to meet, connect and engage in conversation on the issues that they find challenging in a weekly support group. Through these meetings, Inini also creates awareness of the mental health services available and how to access them, as well as providing 1-to-1 psychological coaching.

Last’s work through the Inini Initiative is helping refugees to overcome some of the challenges they face around integration, and provides much-needed support around mental health. Inini is driving a sense of belonging among refugees who face the isolation of starting a new life away from their home country.

Laila Majeed, Founder of Gilguzi

Laila Majeed is an inspiring example of how passion and perseverance can turn personal challenges into impactful business ventures. 

When Laila first came to the UK from Lebanon, she experienced severe eczema flare-ups while adjusting to a new climate and dealing with stress. Despite the wide variety of skincare products on the market, Laila struggled to find anything that worked for her sensitive skin, and began making her own skincare products to use on herself. 

This process, and the research involved along the way, sparked Laila’s entrepreneurial journey. She went on to create her own skincare business, Gilguzi, which is focused on using natural and organic ingredients for those dealing with skin conditions such as acne and eczema.

Gilguzi has been building a base of happy customers, but Laila’s journey as a business owner has not been without its challenges — from navigating a new country and understanding the UK market, to building knowledge and skills in areas such as manufacturing and marketing. 

Laila has been recognised as a Visa Pioneer not only for her work in solving skincare problems, but for her dedication to helping uplight other displaced people. Gilguzi is a social enterprise, and is committed to supporting refugee women by providing them with opportunities to build their own financial independence. 

Looking ahead, Laila envisions a future where these women, many of whom face significant barriers to employment, can become an integral part of her company and build meaningful careers — all while truly enjoying what they do.

Aleksandra Volkova, Founder of Volkova Agency UA & UK Community

Aleksandra Volkova was a thriving entrepreneur in her home country of Ukraine before her life was uprooted due to conflict. 

Despite having set up her own modelling and event agency in 2008, when Aleksandra came to London she struggled to find work in her field, and was often told she was either overqualified or lacked knowledge of the local market. Having met other displaced professionals from Ukraine facing similar challenges, Aleksandra decided to bring them together into one community — and her latest business was born.

Drawing on her significant experience, Aleksandra now runs two businesses in the UK centred around PR, marketing, fashion and events. Being successful in these fields is no easy feat, but Aleksandra has made her mark, even participating in London Fashion Week.

Volkova is not just a business enterprise but is creating a growing community where Ukrainian refugees can connect. Aleksandra organises free events, including educational and networking opportunities, to help Ukranians in the UK find each other.

Faced with the enormous challenge of starting over in a new country, Aleksandra has turned obstacles into opportunities, not only rebuilding her career but creating a thriving community for others displaced by conflict. She has been recognised as a Visa Pioneer for her resilience and impressive ability to transform personal hardship into collective empowerment.

Maria Igwebuike, Founder of Maria Callisto

Recognising both the value and opportunity within the circular economy, Maria Igwebuike has brought together her love of fashion and sustainability to create a unique bridal lingerie brand.

Originally from Nigeria, Maria moved to the UK at the age of 11, where she first felt that she might be able to turn her passions into a career. Having identified an opportunity to reduce waste within the bridal wear market, seamstress Maria was inspired to start her own business, Maria Callisto, which reuses wedding dresses to create one-of-a-kind pieces that can be reworn many times.

Early in her business journey, Maria sourced fabric from charity shops and would reach out to other seamstresses in her area, asking for fabric scrap which she would re-use. Like many entrepreneurs, Maria has faced numerous challenges and learning curves along the way — particularly around funding, and the wider financial and operational aspects of running a business. 

Today, Maria Callisto is not just growing but is giving back to Maria’s own community, as well as further afield. The business has been working closely with a local refugee group in Suffolk, as well as with Turn, a refugee entrepreneurial initiative. It also started the Trinity Project, which aims to normalise menstrual health and highlight period poverty, and has donated period products to women in refugee camps. Maria Callisto also provides employment for refugee women, helping them to use their skills and to gain work experience in the UK. 

Maria’s story is testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of displaced people. Through her business, Maria is not only driving her own financial independence, but is supporting other refugees while also driving sustainable business practices.