In a year marked by slow global growth and mounting pressure for more inclusive economic models, a South African founder has emerged as one of the leading voices in a new international awards programme celebrating small businesses shaping their communities.
Global Citizen, the international movement to end extreme poverty and PayPal have announced the winners of the inaugural Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards, granting USD $25,000 each to entrepreneurs from Argentina, India, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. The awards recognize businesses that combine commercial strength with measurable community outcomes a trend increasingly evident in both emerging and advanced economies.
The recognition comes at a decisive moment. Small businesses employ more than 60% of the world’s workforce and generate 70% of global GDP, according to the World Economic Forum. In Africa, where innovation often emerges from necessity, the rise of small, mission-driven enterprises is reshaping local markets and redefining global perceptions of the continent’s economic potential.
The African Winner: Zizipho Ntobongwana, CEO of Sheba Feminine
This year’s African awardee, Zizipho Ntobongwana, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sheba Feminine, has become a leading voice in the effort to expand menstrual equity, sustainability and women’s health innovation across the continent.
Founded in 2017, Sheba Feminine produces organic, biodegradable pads, tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, period underwear and bamboo wipes, designed to reduce environmental impact while meeting the needs of underserved communities.
The company’s work extends beyond products through its grassroots initiatives, most notably “Pay for a Pal’s Pads,” an outreach programme supporting menstrual health education and distributing essential products in schools and NGOs.
Speaking on the global recognition, Ntobongwana said she was “honoured to stand alongside incredible founders from around the world who are proving that impact and innovation can and should coexist.” She added: “I’m really proud of the work we do at Sheba Feminine Hygiene — innovating at the intersection of sustainability, dignity, and access.”
Her reflections point to a broader shift taking root across Africa’s innovation ecosystem. A new generation of founders is building solutions that are commercially viable and socially transformative.
“Thank you Global Citizen x PayPal for recognising the power of small businesses to drive real social and environmental change. This is only the beginning!” Ntobongwana said, calling the award a milestone not only for her team but for the wider movement for menstrual equity. She also celebrated her peers, noting: “Congratulations team Sheba Feminine Hygiene. Proud to stand alongside founders who are reimagining what business can do for people and the planet!”
A Global Cohort of Impact-Led Innovators
The award recognises a diverse group of entrepreneurs:
- Kunjpreet Arora, CEO of Angirus (India), is developing sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials.
- Filip Lundin, CEO of Sopköket AB (Sweden) is addressing food waste, hunger and social exclusion.
- Somnath Ray, CEO of CLIP (United States), is making e-bike technology accessible at a fraction of the cost.
- Franco Rodriguez Viau, CEO of Satellites on Fire (Argentina), is using artificial intelligence to power early wildfire detection systems.
All winners will join Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg on 21 November, where they will participate in a panel moderated by Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager for PayPal Middle East and Africa. The discussion aims to explore the evolving landscape of entrepreneurial innovation, particularly where technology and social purpose intersect.
PayPal and Global Citizen’s Push for Local Economic Engines
“Small businesses are the economic and social backbone of so many communities around the world… The inaugural recipients are generating life-changing solutions to problems that affect their local populations,” said Liza Henshaw, President of Global Citizen.
PayPal emphasised the importance of enabling small enterprises as engines of long-term economic resilience.
“A thriving economy starts with small businesses — the community leaders driving growth from the ground up,” said Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at PayPal. “Our award winners embody that entrepreneurial spirit, creating jobs, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of industries from food waste to transportation.”
A Defining Moment for African Entrepreneurship
Ntobongwana’s recognition signals more than an individual achievement. It reflects a growing global acknowledgment of African innovators who are building solutions rooted in cultural context, resource constraints and community insight often outperforming global peers in relevance and agility.
Her work at Sheba Feminine highlights how health-tech, sustainability and digital accessibility are converging to transform markets across the continent. With the upcoming launch of “Blud,” a youth-focused menstrual care brand, and “Bluddy,” a data-light, multilingual period-tracking app tailored for African users, Sheba Feminine is expanding its impact through technology and design suited to local realities.
As governments, investors and multinational corporations increasingly turn their attention to African startup ecosystems, Ntobongwana’s message resonates powerfully. African entrepreneurs are not only responding to global challenges, they are redefining them.
