Bukky Asehinde is a passionate advocate for African creative entrepreneurs, striving to position them for success on the global stage. As the founder of Bellafricana, she has created a powerful platform that showcases the best of African creativity and supports entrepreneurs across various sectors, including fashion, art, beauty, and lifestyle.
Bellafricana is a tech-enabled community that provides African creative entrepreneurs with visibility, business support, and growth opportunities. The platform enables its members to increase sales, gain the necessary structure for business development, and access markets beyond their local borders.
Under Bukky’s leadership, Bellafricana has grown into a dynamic network, amassing over 20,000 members across 15 countries. Her company has launched an eCommerce marketplace that facilitates the export of handmade products, securing over £150,000 in sponsorship to empower creatives. These efforts have boosted exports from Nigeria, attracting sales from multiple countries and earning her recognition as a Zero-Oil Export Ambassador by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Events like The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES) and the African Creative Exhibition (ACE) Awards have positioned Bellafricana as a key player in the creative handmade sector. ACE has not only spotlighted talented creatives but also secured over £65,000 in sponsorship from prominent partners such as FMCGs, the Bank of Industry, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. The events have drawn large crowds, with a minimum of 12,000 attendees for each of the three editions, thanks to strategic business marketing efforts.
One of Bukky’s standout achievements is her role in increasing the website traffic and engagement for these events by 250% through viral social growth techniques. She also partnered with over 100 industry vendors to secure the best prices, resulting in an estimated 40% reduction in event costs.
As CEO, Bukky is deeply involved in product development, working closely with her team to refine Bellafricana’s offerings. She was instrumental in shaping the company’s initial vision, developing its MVP, and bringing it to life.
Beyond her work with Bellafricana, Bukky dedicates time to mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, guiding them through challenges and helping them reach their business goals. She also collaborates with the Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI) to empower creatives with essential digital marketing skills.
Bukky’s ultimate goal is to see African creativity recognized, celebrated, and respected on the global stage.
