Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zita Tibeme. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Zita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump into the story of starting your own firm – what should we know?
Honestly, starting my own organization wasn’t something I planned overnight. It came from a deep place, a mix of frustration and hope. A desire for equity after equality. I wanted to see real change in the lives of people I came across and those in my community, not just talk about it. I watched my mom and dad practice daily charity but there was always this voice inside me saying, “it’s possible to do more sustainably.” and led by the HolySpirit, that’s how Smiles Africa began with James 1:27 serving as our anchor scripture
It started small with just me, a few friends, and a big dream to empower young people, to be the hope and voices of the widows and also to bring hope to those who felt forgotten. We began with little orphanage visits, community outreaches then workshop and mentorship programs. At first, we faced a lot of challenges with team building but God was faithful and we had successful projects. There were times we faced challenges like limited funds, mindset differences, no office space, and days when it felt like we were running on pure passion. But those small steps slowly turned into something meaningful. Every smile from every young person whose life was touched kept us going.
As Smiles Africa grew, I started to notice another gap. There were so many talented, passionate young Africans doing great things, but we were working in silos and no platform for visibility. I wanted to create a space that showcases the intellect and skill of Africans, a network of Africans and allies for the sole purpose of innovating African Nations and celebrating who we are as Africans. That’s where Connecting Afrikaans came in. It is a movement that brings together young minds, leaders, and change-makers from across the continent and beyond.
Setting up these organizations wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, fatigue, loneliness, excessive reading, financial challenges, and tough decisions. I had to learn leadership on the go, how to build a team, delegate, and trust others with the vision. Looking back, I’d say one thing I would have done differently is to seek mentorship and organizational knowledge earlier and put proper systems in place from the start. Passion is powerful, but structure sustains the dream. I never even knew about the SDG’s or organizational structure when I began.
My advice to any young person thinking about starting their own firm or organization is this: start anyway. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. We only figure it out after several experiments. If you can think of it, it’s because it’s possible to manifest it. Start small, draft your long and short term plans, be clear about your purpose, and surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re building. You’ll make mistakes, yes but you’ll grow, learn, and eventually see your vision come alive in ways you couldn’t imagine. Always strive for collaboration over competition; this will help you go farther and grow wider.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My name is Zita Tibeme, I am a Data Analyst, Global Speaker on Thought Leadership & Youth Empowerment, known for transforming ideas
into thriving organizations, guiding leaders, and building financial freedom through the stock exchange market. I am the Founder of Smiles Africa & Connecting Afrikaans Organizations.
My journey into this space started with a deep desire for equity over equality and the desire to serve. Growing up, I was always drawn to helping others, organizing small outreach programs, volunteering, and mentoring young people. Over time, I saw how much potential African youths have, but also how much of it goes untapped due to lack of opportunity, mentorship, ineffective school curriculums and the lack of exposure. That realization pushed me to start Smiles Africa Organization and introduce the Smiles Africa Mentorship Summit (SAMS) , a platform that empowers young people through leadership training, community service, and capacity-building initiatives.
Through Smiles Africa, we’ve been able to touch lives in different African countries (Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda) by providing educational support, nutritional support, health, empowering and equipping youths, widows and the less privileged, organizing youth leadership summits, orphanage outreach programs and community cleanup campaigns Our mission is simple: to impact the lives of widows orphans and the less privileged all over Africa. We currently have 4 main programs; SAMS, EMPOWER CYCLE, FOODBANK and ORPHANAGE VISITS.
With Connecting Afrikaans, the focus is slightly different but equally close to my heart.
Connecting Afrikaans, we are a community of Africans and allies committed to driving sustainable and transformative development across the continent through project implementation and strategic networking. We aim to solve the challenge of Industry Innovation and unemployment. We have 2 main programs:
The Connecting Afrikaans Academy (where members get certified skills on Entrepreneurship Development Programs) and
The Gauntlet ( a pitch competition where members present their business pitch and defend it through strategic Q&A sessions for an opportunity to earn Funding capital, evaluated by a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and captains of industry).
What sets my work apart, I believe, is our heart-driven approach. We’re not just running projects, we’re building people. To change a nation begins from impacting one life then a family and then a nation, Every initiative, whether through Smiles Africa or Connecting Afrikaans, is rooted in genuine care and long-term impact. I believe in leading with empathy, authenticity, and faith, and that has shaped the culture of both organizations.
I’m most proud of the lives we have impacted, the commitment of the executive members of these organizations and how far we’ve come from a small idea to being recognized internationally. Our work has been featured on national Televisions and newsletters like CRTV (Cameroon Radio Television) and Media Prime Tv, Voyage Dallas Magazine. United Nations NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-New York. We have received so many awards of excellence from community, national, continental and international levels at the United Nations. I’ve also had the honor to speak at global platforms like the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, the RE-X Summit in Dallas, the Purpose Conference and many more. Each milestone reminds me that passion, when combined with purpose, truly has power.
To anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know this: everything I do comes from a place of love and belief. love for Africa, and belief in what our young people can become when given the right tools and encouragement. My brand isn’t just about programs and events; it’s about people, transformation, and legacy. True leadership is not about standing above others, but about standing with them, listening, empowering, and walking together toward a better tomorrow. You can take a step of impact today by just mentoring one young person, empowering one community, or speaking up for justice or sustainability.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
For me, managing a team starts with connection. You can’t truly lead people you don’t take time to understand. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about service, trust, empathy, and clear communication. People don’t just follow instructions, they follow inspiration. As a leader, your energy sets the tone for your team. If you lead with passion, integrity, and consistency, it naturally creates an environment where others want to give their best. Whether it’s in Smiles Africa or Connecting Afrikaans, I always make sure my team feels seen, heard, and valued.
I believe people give their best when they know they matter. So I focus on building genuine relationships, celebrating small wins, encouraging open conversations, and creating a safe space where everyone can share ideas and even mistakes without fear. We laugh together, pray together, and grow together, and that sense of family keeps our morale high even during challenging times. Recognition goes a long way. I celebrate effort as much as results, because I believe progress deserves applause too.
Another thing that helps is clarity of purpose. When everyone understands the why behind the work, it becomes easier to stay motivated. I remind my team often that what we’re doing is bigger than us. We’re changing lives, shaping futures, and inspiring hope. That sense of purpose fuels passion and keeps the team spirit alive.I make it a point to involve my team in the vision not just tell them what to do, but help them see where we’re going and why it matters. When people feel ownership of the mission, they become more motivated and creative. I also encourage growth by giving everyone room to lead in their own way. Sometimes, the best ideas come from the quietest voices in the room.
My advice to other leaders is simple: lead with a heart, communicate often, have an accountability system and appreciate your people. Be the leader who uplifts. You don’t have to have all the answers, but if your team feels your sincerity, they’ll walk the journey with you even through the hard days.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
There’s one season that left a lasting mark on me. The early sessions of the Smiles Africa Mentorship Summit Program. We had just had a successful first edition with 90% of things perfectly handled from Funding, logistics, and persons involved. Then it became an almost impossible strategy to host the second edition as we couldn’t agree to the conditions of previous partners to move ahead with the second edition and this led to negative/false words being spread about us.I couldn’t make it. I remember sitting in the middle of it all thinking, “Maybe this is too much for me.” calling the program coordinators to cancel the edition for that year.
But then I looked at the young people who were counting on us, those who gave amazing transformational testimonies, those we had promised to serve, the messages and emails we kept on getting about start dates and how ready some parents and youths were for the upcoming session. Despite all of this the organization was still feeling the weight of the ongoing negativity, coordinators resigning etc but I knew giving up wasn’t an option. I decided to push through with what we had, even if it wasn’t perfect. We restructured plans overnight, had the prayer team on continuous intercession, called in favors, and worked long hours. In the end, the program happened not flawlessly but beautifully. We saw lives touched, youths gained skills that earned them personal money, the selfless hearts of the mentors and that moment reminded me why I started in the first place.
That experience taught me that resilience isn’t about never feeling discouraged. It’s about refusing to let discouragement define your outcome. It also taught me that when all doors close the door of Yahweh is always open and I learned to see challenges as redirection, not rejection. I learned to stop running from my fears because they will come back unless I face them and deal with them. Every setback became a stepping stone that strengthened my leadership and faith.
Looking back now, I’m grateful for those hard moments because they built my endurance. They reminded me that passion starts the journey, but resilience and faith keeps it alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smilesafrica.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smiles_africa/ https://www.instagram.com/connectingafrikaans/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Connecting-Afrikaans/61558437646083/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smiles-africa-charity-organization-a3709b258/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zita-tibeme-ouanzie-92559a150
- Twitter: https://x.com/smiles_africa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDv6JUj4vhDahcPKjpuLKiA
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/tibemezita/
Image Credits
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