In the heart of Uganda, a country known for its lush green landscapes, vibrant culture, and resilient people, a movement of transformation is underway. A wave of empowerment is sweeping across the nation, aiming to shatter the chains of doubt and fear that have held back generations of young African girls.
At the forefront of this movement is Victoria Nyanzi (Ateenyi), a young woman with fierce determination in her eyes and a burning passion in her heart. She is the founder of The African Sisters Network (TASN), a coaching community designed to empower African girls to tell their stories confidently and connect them with tools, resources, and opportunities for success.
Victoria’s journey began amidst chaos and uncertainty. Growing up as a young African girl, she felt lost and misunderstood, struggling to find her place and voice in a world that seemed determined to silence her. But Victoria refused to be silenced. She refused to be held back by the doubts and fears that had haunted her for so long.
Instead, she chose to rise above them. She took control of her destiny and created a community that would support and uplift other young African girls. And so, The African Sisters Network was born.
Victoria’s journey to founding TASN was not easy. At just 17, she began expressing herself through writing, creating what she called books, articles, and even movie scripts. Her notebooks were filled with completed scripts, from the opening lines to the end. Between the ages of 19 and 23, she explored different paths in her journey of self-discovery. She ventured into acting and pageantry, trying to find her place and voice. From ages 24 to 27, her life was a whirlwind. She moved from one job to another—banking, e-commerce, marketing, event management, and more—searching for alignment and purpose.
“From 24 to 27, my life was a whirlwind. I moved from one job to another—banking, e-commerce, marketing, event management, and more—searching for alignment and purpose. Looking back, I see this phase as a time of trial and error, of learning and unlearning,” said Victoria.
But it wasn’t until December 2021, when Victoria reached a breaking point, that she discovered her true purpose. Feeling completely stuck, as if she were living a life that didn’t belong to her, Victoria turned to Google in search of answers. One piece of advice struck her deeply: “Embrace your story and your journey.” That moment marked the beginning of a profound shift. Victoria realized she needed to take control and start writing her own story.
As she turned 30, Victoria reflected on the lessons from her journey and thought, “Why not create a community where I could mentor not just one or two, but many young African girls?”
“A space where they could learn to embrace their stories, speak boldly, and pursue their dreams unapologetically.” This dream gave birth to The African Sisters Network.
Today, TASN is a thriving community of young African girls who are determined to make their mark on the world. They are girls who have been empowered to tell their stories confidently, build their personal brands, and seize opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
Since launching TASN in July 2024, Victoria has empowered over 100 girls directly and 1,500 more indirectly. Girls in her network have built personal brands, improved their online presence, and gained the confidence to pursue their dreams. One notable success is seeing her members transform into leaders in their own right, confidently sharing their voices and seizing opportunities that once felt unreachable.
Victoria’s approach to leadership is rooted in empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young African girls. “The most significant lesson I’ve learned is the power of storytelling,” she reflects. “When you embrace your journey and share it authentically, you connect with people on a deeper level and inspire them to believe in themselves. This lesson has shaped my leadership style to be more empathetic and focused on creating spaces where others feel seen, heard, and empowered.”
Every Journey Has Its Hurdles
Victoria’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has faced obstacles and setbacks that would have broken a lesser person. But Victoria is no ordinary person. She is a warrior, a fighter, a woman who refuses to give up in the face of adversity. One significant challenge has been reaching girls in rural or underserved areas with limited internet access. To address this, Victoria is exploring offline strategies, such as partnering with local organizations and hosting community events.
“One significant challenge has been reaching girls in rural or underserved areas with limited internet access. To address this, we’re exploring offline strategies, like partnering with local organizations and hosting community events soon,” she says.
Another challenge is securing sustainable funding for TASN’s initiatives. She explains, “Another challenge is securing sustainable funding for TASN’s initiatives. I’ve learned the importance of building partnerships with organizations that align with our mission and values. The key lesson is to stay creative and persistent, no matter the obstacle.”
Despite these challenges, Victoria remains committed to her mission. She is a woman on a mission, determined to empower a generation of young African girls to take control of their own destinies.
Victoria’s advice to small businesses or entrepreneurs looking to enter this industry with limited resources is to start with what they have and focus on authenticity. “Build an online presence by sharing your story and demonstrating your expertise,” she advises. “Leverage free or low-cost tools like social media to reach your target audience. Collaboration is also key, partnering with like-minded individuals or organizations to amplify your impact.”