Welcome to AWIEF Awards 2025
Celebrating Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs, Leaders & Innovators
Date: 31 October 2025 | Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa
About The AWIEF Awards
The AWIEF Awards recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.
Since 2016, the AWIEF Awards have honoured and promoted excellence in women’s entrepreneurship and leadership across Africa. These prestigious awards spotlight trailblazing women who are creating significant social and economic impact across eight categories.
Award Categories:
Young Entrepreneur Award
Tech Entrepreneur Award
Agri Entrepreneur Award
Creative Industry Award
Empowerment Award
Energy Entrepreneur Award
Social Entrepreneur Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The AWIEF Awards aim to:
Recognize and celebrate excellence
Highlight the exceptional achievements and contributions of African women entrepreneurs and leaders driving economic growth and social impact across the continent.
Inspire the next generation
Showcase powerful stories of innovation, resilience, and leadership to inspire young women and girls to pursue entrepreneurship and take on leadership roles.
Amplify visibility and influence
Elevate the profiles of female innovators and changemakers, giving them a platform to gain recognition, grow their influence, and expand their opportunities.
Promote inclusive and sustainable development
Honour women whose ventures and leadership align with AWIEF’s commitment to innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic transformation.
Foster a pan-African community of excellence
Build a connected and collaborative network of outstanding women leaders across sectors and regions, championing women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
Encourage impact-driven entrepreneurship
Recognize businesses and non-profit ventures that are solving Africa’s pressing challenges through creative, inclusive, and scalable solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be female entrepreneurs, founders, co-founders, or leaders of organizations or ventures based in Africa.
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of nomination.
- Must have demonstrated outstanding initiative, innovation, and leadership in their field or industry.
- Must have shown measurable impact and success, such as business growth, community engagement, or industry disruption.
- Must be making a significant contribution to socio-economic development, gender equality, or sustainability in Africa.
How To Enter
- Check your eligibility
- Sign up and create an account
- Complete the required application form
- You can save your progress and return at any time to complete your application before the deadline.
- Submit your application before the deadline
- You may edit or update your application at any time before the deadline after submission
Key Dates
Nomination Opens – 2 June 2025
Nomination Deadline – 17 July 2025
Announcement of Winners- 31 October 2025
Meet The Judges
Olawale Anifowose
Director of Programs & Partnerships, Enterprise Development Centre – Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria
Camila Kaul
Founder, Hey Brandee, USA
Latanya White
Founder & Creator, Dynastic Wealth, USA
Grace Safoa Buaka
Partner, Oasis Capital, Ghana
Seja Kekana
Principal, Africa Infrastructure Finance, Nedbank, South Africa
Kumar Prasanth
Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship Development, Africa & Head of Entrepreneur Academy, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morrocco
Esther Ndeti
Managing Partner, Unconventional Capital, Kenya
Lee Chana
Product Director, Fliptin, SouthAfrica
