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Christelle Akon-Akech is a name synonymous with passion, resilience, and transformation. From a basketball court in the United States to the boardrooms of Nairobi, Kenya, she has crafted a life that blends athletic discipline with entrepreneurial ambition. Her journey is not just a story of professional success but also a testament to the modern African woman’s determination to rewrite the narrative of what it means to balance family, career, and personal growth.
From the Basketball Court to Entrepreneurship
Christelle’s story begins on the basketball courts of Fairfield University in the United States, where she developed a deep passion for the sport that eventually led her to play professionally for Spirou Ladies Charleroi, a top-division women’s basketball team in Belgium. During her basketball career, she honed essential qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and a relentless drive to improve—traits that would later serve her well as an entrepreneur.
Reflecting on her transition from athlete to entrepreneur, Christelle remarked, “I gathered a lot of experience in leadership and goal setting as a professional athlete, which gave me the confidence to bet on myself and pursue entrepreneurship. I realized the qualities that make an excellent athlete are very similar to those needed in business.” This realization was pivotal in her decision to shift from sports to the business world, where she now channels her competitive spirit into entrepreneurship.
The Move to Nairobi: A Strategic Decision
Christelle’s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur is closely tied to her decision to move with her family to Nairobi, Kenya. After retiring from basketball and marrying an entrepreneur, she realized the immense potential of Nairobi as a city on the rise, offering vast opportunities for both personal and professional growth. “Nairobi is a bustling city that has similarities with the West, making it easier to settle in, but also providing many opportunities in the market to get involved and prosper,” she explained.
This move was also deeply rooted in family. Both Christelle’s family and in-laws are based in Nairobi, which helped ease the transition. Furthermore, with two young daughters and a son, Nairobi’s well-established international schools aligned with the couple’s desire to give their children a broad, high-quality education while remaining rooted in African culture.
Balancing Motherhood, Marriage, and Entrepreneurship
As a mother of three and a wife, Christelle’s life is a balancing act, yet she handles it with grace and intention. “These are three completely different roles that require different aspects of who I am,” she says. Christelle is committed to maintaining harmony in her home life while pursuing her business ventures. Her daily schedule is highly structured, beginning early in the morning with her children’s routine, before diving into business tasks during the day.
Motherhood, she believes, fuels her entrepreneurial spirit. “Keeping my family and marriage life healthy allows me to pour into my business. I draw fulfillment from balancing all these roles,” she reflects, noting that the key to her success lies in careful planning, preparation, and surrounding herself with a supportive network of family and professionals.
Promoting a “New African Way of Life”
One of Christelle’s most compelling visions is her advocacy for a “New African Way of Life,” which, she explains, is a blend of tradition and modernity. Rooted in her South Sudanese heritage and influenced by her time in Europe and the United States, Christelle strives to honor African culture while evolving as a global citizen. “Our traditions and culture are our backbone, but we must also take control of our narratives and evolve,” she says.
Her business ventures reflect this philosophy. She is involved in various sectors, including an event planning and decorations company Najma & Noor, and general supply and trade of hard-to-find products in Africa.
Beyond business, Christelle’s personal passions, such as fashion and interior design, also play a role in shaping her vision of the modern African lifestyle, blending global influences with local creativity.
Empowering the Next Generation of African Entrepreneurs
As part of the “new tribe” of global entrepreneurs returning to Africa, Christelle is deeply committed to fostering change and opportunity on the continent. She believes that the key to Africa’s future lies in its people, particularly those in the diaspora, bringing back their skills, knowledge, and resources to fuel local development.
Her work goes beyond business ventures. Christelle is also deeply involved in humanitarian efforts, particularly through her nonprofit foundation, Pann-da, which she founded during the pandemic. Pann-da, meaning “our home” in her mother tongue, focuses on empowering women and young girls by addressing issues such as women’s health, education, and mental health.
Inspiring Future Generations Through Basketball and Beyond
Christelle is also passionate about sports as a tool for social change, particularly in South Sudan. She applauds the efforts of basketball legend Luol Deng, who has been instrumental in supporting the development of basketball in the country. She recognizes the role that sports can play in fostering national pride and unity and believes it can inspire future generations to dream big.
Looking Ahead: The Vision for the Future
As Christelle looks to the future, her focus remains on expanding her businesses, nurturing her family, and continuing her advocacy work. She is a firm believer in the power of women to shape Africa’s future, and she leads by example, showing her daughters—and all women—that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Her advice to women striving to balance family and career is simple yet profound: “It’s not always 50/50, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you stay true to your values and passions and embrace the journey, no matter how challenging it may be.” Christelle’s journey is a shining example of resilience, purpose, and the power of dreaming big. She represents the new face of African leadership—one that blends tradition, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creating a better future for her community and her family.
Christelle’s Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/aliayzway/?igsh=eXlpbTh5bTZxYmY1
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Peggy Sefolosha
