About AWIEF
Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is an award-winning, pan-African non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, innovation, and business leadership. AWIEF works across Africa to close gender gaps in entrepreneurship by enabling women-owned businesses to start, grow, and scale, driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth on the continent.
Our Purpose
We exist to advance the economic rights and security of women in Africa by strengthening their participation and leadership in entrepreneurship and business.
Our Vision
An inclusive and thriving Africa where women-owned businesses are empowered to build high-impact, sustainable enterprises that contribute meaningfully to economic growth and increased GDP.
What We Do
AWIEF delivers impact through four interconnected pillars:
Enterprise Development Programmes
We design and implement incubation, accelerator, and capacity-building programmes that equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, and resources needed to grow competitive and sustainable businesses.
Convening & Thought Leadership
The annual AWIEF Conference is one of Africa’s leading platforms bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and business leaders to drive dialogue and action around entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Advocacy for Gender Equality
AWIEF is a recognised advocate for Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. We engage governments, development institutions, and the private sector to influence policies and systems that enable women’s economic participation.
Recognition & Inspiration
Through the AWIEF Awards, launched in 2017, we recognise and celebrate outstanding African women entrepreneurs and leaders whose work contributes to inclusive economic growth and social development across sectors.
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women entrepreneurs supported through enterprise development programmes
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African and global speakers featured
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conference and event attendees
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African countries represented
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AWIEF Award recipients recognised for excellence
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jobs created by AWIEF beneficiaries
Why It Matters
Women entrepreneurs are a powerful driver of Africa’s economic transformation. However, persistent barriers—limited access to finance, markets, networks, and enabling policies—continue to restrict their full potential.
AWIEF addresses these challenges by connecting women entrepreneurs to opportunity, visibility, and influence—ensuring they are not only participants in Africa’s economy, but leaders shaping its future.
Global Recognition
AWIEF holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling the organisation to contribute to global development dialogues and policy processes.
Through participation in high-level international fora, AWIEF amplifies the voices of African women entrepreneurs and champions inclusive policies that support gender equality, innovation, and sustainable growth.
