Francesca Opoku is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Solution Oasis, a Ghanaian agro-processing company that produces natural skincare products from shea butter and agricultural waste. Her brand, Beauty Secrets, offers a range of soap, lotions and shower gel that are made with locally sourced ingredients and are free of chemicals and preservatives.
Francesca started her business in 2008, after she discovered the benefits of shea butter for her own skin. She was inspired by the women in northern Ghana who collect, knead and mill shea nuts, and who often face poverty and marginalization. She wanted to create a company that would empower these women, provide them with fair wages and training, and help them access new markets.
Solution Oasis works with over 500 women harvesters in northern Ghana, who supply the raw shea butter for the company. Francesca also partners with farmers in the central and eastern regions, who extract different oils from coconut, palm kernel, moringa and neem. She uses these oils to enrich her products and to reduce waste.
Francesca’s vision is to make Solution Oasis an export-oriented company that can compete in the global market for natural skincare products. She has participated in several business development programs, such as the Enhancing Growth In New Enterprises (ENGINE) Business Plan Competition and the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Team (SMART) Program at Cornell University. Through these programs, she has received mentorship, funding and market research to help her grow her business.
According to Francesca, Solution Oasis has sold over 100,000 units of its products since its inception, and has generated over $200,000 in revenue. The company has also created employment for 15 people, mostly women, who work in production, packaging and distribution. Francesca’s products are sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and cosmetic stores across Ghana, as well as online platforms such as Jumia and Tonaton.
Francesca’s goal is to expand her distribution network to other African countries and beyond. She also plans to launch new product lines, such as hair care and baby care products, that will cater to different customer segments. She believes that natural skincare products have a huge potential in Africa and the world, as more people are becoming conscious of their health and the environment.
Francesca Opoku is a role model for women entrepreneurs in Ghana and Africa. She has shown that it is possible to create a successful business that is socially responsible, environmentally friendly and profitable. She has also demonstrated that women can be agents of change and catalysts for community development. She hopes that her story will inspire other women to pursue their dreams and passions.
We at Rising Africa want to celebrate Francesca Opoku and the Solution Oasis team today. You are building an untapped industry in Africa. Keep pushing higher and higher and redefining what is possible. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
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