The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2026 AWIEF Awards. 

Launched in 2017, the prestigious annual AWIEF Awards is an initiative to recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.  

Following a highly competitive nominations process, this year’s finalists represent a diverse range of sectors and African markets, reflecting the breadth of talent, innovation and impact emerging across the continent. 

The 2026 Awards categories have been refined to reflect the evolving entrepreneurial and innovation landscape in Africa, with categories recognising emerging leaders, technology pioneers, agricultural innovators, creative visionaries, and women driving measurable impact. 

This year also sees the introduction of the Male Ally Award, to recognise a male leader, founder, executive, policymaker or senior decision-maker whose leadership and actions have contributed meaningfully to advancing women’s economic empowerment and creating sustained, systemic change for women in Africa. 

The finalists for the 2026 AWIEF Awards are (listed in alphabetical order): 

WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD 

Omotoke Ajidagba – Co-founder & COO, 10mg Health, Nigeria 

Faith Nafula – Founder & CEO, Solar Spark Energy, Kenya 

Rowena Turinawe – Founding CEO, Ruka Pay, Uganda 

AGRI AWARD 

Violet Awo Amoabeng – Founder & CEO, Skin Gourmet, Ghana 

Stella Doreen Namulondo – Co-founder & COO, Essymart Africa Business Link, Uganda 

Joyce Rugano – CEO, Ecorich Solutions, Kenya 

IMPACT FOR GOOD AWARD 

Ola Brown – General Partner, HealthCap Africa, Nigeria 

Nada Ghammem – Co-Founder & CEO, Bionic Soul, Tunisia 

Echo Nomsa VanderWal – Executive Director, The Luke Commission, Eswatini 

CREATIVE VISIONARY AWARD 

Rasha Aita – Managing Director, SMACRS LLC, Egypt 

Renuka Methil – Managing Editor, Forbes Africa, South Africa 

Hadeer Shalaby – Co-Founder & CEO, Freeziana, Egypt 

TECH PIONEER AWARD 

Varuna Devi Bangaleea – Group CEO, nVisionIT, Mauritius 

Ndeye Fatou Mboup – CEO, The Smart Granary, Senegal 

Quinter Ochieng – Founder & CEO, Chargebyte Africa, Kenya 

MALE ALLY AWARD 

The 2026 recipient for this award category will be announced at the AWIEF Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner. 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 

The Lifetime Achievement Award honours a visionary female leader whose decades of leadership, entrepreneurship or public service have contributed significantly to Africa’s economic, social or institutional development and helped pave the way for future generations of women leaders. 

The 2026 recipient for this award category will be announced at the AWIEF Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner. 

Winners to Be Announced at AWIEF 2026 Conference 

The 2026 AWIEF Awards winners will be revealed at the prestigious awards ceremony and gala dinner on 11 November 2026, taking place as the grand finale of the AWIEF 2026 Conference. 

The conference will take place from 10 to 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, policymakers, development partners, and other entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. 

The Awards Gala will be an opportunity to celebrate this year’s finalists and winners while recognising the women and allies helping to shape a more inclusive and prosperous economic future for Africa. 

Tickets for the AWIEF 2026 Conference and Awards are available online at: https://www.awieforum.org/purchase-conference-tickets/#tickets 

For more information and media enquiries, email: info@awieforum.org 

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has partnered with Nedbank to launch a new programme – Women Enterprise Growth and Export. This new initiative builds on Nedbank and AWIEF’s long-term relationship and partnership since 2018, implementing the AWIEF Growth Accelerator and investment readiness programme in South Africa.

The Nedbank – AWIEF Women Enterprise Growth and Export is a 12-month business and enterprise supplier development programme for established South African Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) that are at least 51% owned by black women.

The programme is intended for product-based businesses and is designed to help participants strengthen their operations, improve their finance, market and export readiness, and access larger domestic, regional, African, and international opportunities.

It forms part of a three-year partnership between Nedbank and AWIEF that will support 75 women-owned SMMEs, with 25 businesses selected for each annual cohort.

The programme is intended for growth-stage businesses that are already operating, generating revenue and ready to scale and expand. Participating businesses should have the potential to strengthen their systems, increase production, fulfilment or distribution capacity, supply larger buyers, enter new markets, and progress towards regional or international expansion.

The programme will take a hybrid format and be delivered as targeted, high-contact, one-on-one mentoring and tailored business development support. 

The official and in-person launch of the programme will take place at the AWIEF2026 Conference and Exhibition on 10 – 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town. 

Call for Applications for 2026 Cohort

Applications are invited from qualifying businesses for the 2026 Cohort of 25 participants. 

Eligibility & Who Can Apply

To qualify for the Nedbank – AWIEF Women Enterprise Growth and Export Programme, businesses must meet the following requirements:

• Be legally registered and operating in South Africa 
• Be at least 51% owned by black women, as defined under the B-BBEE Act
• Qualify as an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) under the B-BBEE code applicable to their main business activities
• Be post-revenue, currently trading, and serving paying customers
• Looking to expand their market access nationally, regionally, intra-Africa, and internationally
• Be product-based and produce, manufacture, process, assemble, package, formulate, or distribute physical products 
• Operate in one of the priority sectors
• Founder commits to a 12-month programme

Priority Sectors

The programme is open to businesses in the following sectors:

• Agriculture and Agro-processing 
• Manufacturing 
• Building and Construction 
• Green Economy and Renewable Energy
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Cleaning and Hygiene
• Textile, Apparel and Accessories
• Beauty, Wellness, and Personal Care 
• Hospitality and Tourism 
• Design and Craft 
• Circular Economy

Programme Timeline

7 September 2026

Applications Close

September – October 2026

Application screening and selection of 25 participating businesses

10 – 11 November 2026

Official Programme Launch and in-person 2-day bootcamp at AWIEF2026 Conference and Exhibition, CTICC, Cape Town 

November 2026 – October 2027

Programme Implementation

Programme Benefits

Selected businesses will receive 12 months of tailored, practical support to strengthen their operations and products, prepare for larger markets and pursue sustainable growth.

• Business growth support
• Individual diagnostic and development plan
• Coaching and technical mentoring
• Product, supplier and retail readiness
• Market access support
• Finance and investment readiness
• Export readiness support
• Regional trade and partnership opportunities – support to explore AfCFTA-related opportunities, including B2B contracts, joint ventures, and co-production arrangements
• Networking and buyer linkages – opportunities to connect with mentors, buyers, institutions, finance providers, and other women entrepreneurs.
• AWIEF2026 Conference participation – free access to the AWIEF2026 Conference in Cape Town, including selected programme-related travel and accommodation support.
• Ongoing progress tracking – regular reviews to monitor implementation, business growth, job creation, market access, and progress against the Individual Development Plan.

Application Submission

Applications are submitted online until 7 September 2026, 11:59 SAST, only through this official link: https://awief.untap.us/women-growth-export

Enquiries

For more information on the programme, please email: info@awieforum.org

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) calls for nominations for the 2026 edition of the prestigious AWIEF Awards. The AWIEF Awards was established since 2017 to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of female founders and business leaders across Africa. The Awards have showcased and honoured exceptional women leaders who are building successful businesses, driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to Africa’s economic growth, while inspiring future generations and highlighting the vital role of women in Africa’s development. To remain relevant and responsive to Africa’s evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem, this year the Awards categories have been refined to better reflect emerging trends, innovation, and impact. In addition to updating the existing categories, AWIEF has introduced the Male Ally Award to recognise male leaders whose actions and influence have contributed meaningfully to advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership. The winners of the AWIEF Awards 2026 will be announced at a high-profile awards ceremony and gala dinner on 11 November 2026, as the grand finale of the AWIEF 2026 Conference, taking place on 10 and11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa. Awards Categories  Woman to Watch Award The Woman to Watch Award recognises a female leader under 35, or founder/leader of a venture under three years old, based in or primarily operating in Africa, who is already demonstrating strong early traction through revenue, pilots, partnerships, users, or beneficiaries. Tech Pioneer Award This award spotlights a female founder or senior leader with at least five years’ experience in technology or innovation, who is using tech, digital tools, data, or deep-tech solutions at the core of the business or initiative to tackle a clearly defined African challenge such as access, inclusion, efficiency, or scalability. Agri Award Honouring outstanding women in agriculture, this Award celebrates female founders and leaders with 5+ years in agriculture, agri-processing, agri-tech, food systems, or value chains, who are transforming Africa’s food systems and value chains while advancing productivity, sustainability, food security, or farmer livelihoods. Creative Visionary Award The Creative Visionary Award recognises a female entrepreneur, creator, or leader with at least five years’ experience in the creative industries (such as fashion, design, media, film, music, art, architecture, digital content, or cultural industries) who is significantly shaping African narratives, culture, or creative economies. Impact for Good Award The Impact for Good Award honours a female founder or leader whose initiative has been active for at least three years in sustainability, climate, energy, social innovation, community development, health, or education, and can demonstrate measurable social and/or environmental impact well beyond intent or pilot stage. Male Ally Award The Male Ally Award honours a male leader, founder, executive, policymaker, or senior decision-maker with 10+ years of leadership who goes beyond words to actively break barriers for women in Africa, driving sustained, systemic change for women’s economic empowerment. Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award honours a visionary, female leader with at least 25 years of leadership, entrepreneurship, or public service whose lifelong contribution has helped shape Africa’s economic, social, or institutional development and paved the way for future generations of women trailblazers. No nominations are required for this category. Each year AWIEF identifies and selects from across African regions the recipient for this special award. How to Nominate You can nominate yourself or someone else. To submit nominations, please go to: https://awief.untap.us/awief-awards-2026 Nominations close on 3 August 2026, at 11:59 PM CAT. Important Dates

• Nominations Open: 30 June 2026
• Nominations Close: 3 August 2026.
• Finalists Announced: September 2026.
• AWIEF 2026 Conference and Awards Gala Dinner: 10 – 11 November 2026

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) announces the launch of Pitch n Grow, a flagship annual women entrepreneurship pitch competition programme for identifying, developing, and amplifying the most promising women-led ventures across all African nations.  

Selected finalists will pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town, on 10 and 11 November 2026. 

Each year, the competition adopts a new strategic theme aligned with AWIEF’s continental priorities. The 2026 theme is “Deep Roots, Digital Futures“. 

Africa’s greatest competitive advantage is its depth: deep knowledge of local contexts, deep understanding of communities, and deep experience of challenges the rest of the world is yet to face. This theme challenges women-led ventures to apply deep technology not as an import, but as a tool grown from African soil. 

Who Can Apply? 

Applications are accepted from women founders and co-founders across Africa who are building ventures in the following priority innovation sectors to solve African development challenges: 

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning 

• AgriTech 

• HealthTech 

• Clean Energy 

• Water Technology 

• Biotech 

• FinTech 

• Cybersecurity 

• EdTech 

• Smart Cities 

• Circular Economy 

• Frontier Technologies 

Competition Tracks 

Participants can apply to one of three tracks based on their stage of business: 

Pre-Venture – Concept-stage ventures with a prototype or proof of concept.
Early-Stage – Registered startups with active customers and revenue generation.
Growth-Stage – Scaling ventures with proven traction and regional expansion. 

Benefits and Prizes 

Selected participants will gain access to: 

• Expert-led training bootcamps 

• Mentorship from industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs 

• Exposure to investors, ecosystem partners, and media 

• An opportunity to pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town 

• Travel and accommodation support for finalists 

• Cash prizes and global recognition 

Key Dates  

• Applications Open: 22 June 2026 

• Orientation Webinars: 1 – 7 July 2026 

• Application Deadline: 20 July 2026 

• Bootcamp: August 2026 

• Finalists Announced: 20 September 2026 

• Live Finals at AWIEF 2026 Conference, Cape Town, 10 – 11 November 2026 

Application Submission 

If you are building the future through innovation and technology, this is your opportunity to showcase your venture on one of Africa’s leading platforms for women entrepreneurs. 

Applications are submitted before 20 July 2026 only through the official link below:

APPLY HERE

Share your Experience. Contribute to our Impact.

At AWIEF, we believe in the power of empowering women to start and grow profitable businesses. Our work is driven by a commitment to expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent — and we rely on the support of changemakers like you to help make this possible. We are looking for passionate and experienced professionals and experts willing to donate a few hours of their time to support our work across conferences, business development and enterprise support programmes, research, and advocacy.

Whether you’re based in Africa or anywhere else, there is a role for you. Volunteering with us means contributing to real impact while sharing valuable experience and building meaningful connections.

Areas of Our Work Where We Need Your Support

• Conference & Events
• Capacity Development & Enterprise Support Programmes
• Resource Mobilization, Partnerships & Outreach
• Research & Data
• Communication & Marketing

What You Will Gain

• Purpose-Driven Impact: Be part of advancing women’s entrepreneurship across Africa
• Strategic Exposure: Contribute your valued expertise as a changemaker to impactful initiatives that drive the growth of women-owned businesses
• Pan-African Network: Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and key players across Africa’s business and innovation ecosystem
• Annual AWIEF Conference: Free delegate ticket to the AWIEF conference

Ready to get involved?

We welcome volunteers year-round. Tell us who you are and how you’d like to contribute and support.

Questions? Contact us at: info@awieforum.org

Click Here to Submit Your Interest and Get Involved

AWIEF Founder & CEO, Irene Ochem and President, Qingdao Women Entrepreneurs Association, Zhang Xuming, signing Cooperation Agreement

We’re proud to announce a new strategic cooperation agreement between AWIEF and China’s Qingdao Women Entrepreneurs Association. 

Founded in 2001, the association brings together a dynamic network of high-profile women entrepreneurs across multiple industries and plays an active role in advancing international collaboration – 378 members, 27 of which are listed companies.

AWIEF and the Qingdao Women Entrepreneurs Association share a vision of supporting the growth of female entrepreneurs and contributing to the power of women in promoting economic and cultural exchange between countries. The signing of this cooperation agreement marks an exciting step towards strengthening connections and market linkages between African and Chinese women entrepreneurs, fostering exchange, and unlocking new opportunities for trade and investment.

It is a step towards growth as a global sisterhood of women entrepreneurs. One world, one vision.

The 12th annual AWIEF Conference & Exhibition will take place on 10–11 November 2026 in Cape Town.

  

The data is clear: closing gender gaps in entrepreneurship boosts GDP and deepens economic resilience. But to achieve this means moving beyond one-off sponsorships, events and awards towards long-horizon, ecosystem-building partnerships.Across Africa, women are starting businesses at some of the highest rates in the world. They dominate informal trade, drive household resilience, and increasingly lead high-growth ventures in sectors from agribusiness and retail to technology and energy.Yet when you follow the money, the policy, and the power, a different picture emerges: women entrepreneurs remain significantly underfunded, underrepresented in decision-making, and underserved by mainstream support systems. This is not just a social injustice. It is a structural drag on Africa’s growth, innovation, and competitiveness. “Africa must move from talking about women entrepreneurs to building serious, integrated ecosystems around them” More than a decade ago, when I founded the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), I was driven by a simple conviction: if African women had access to the right skills, networks, markets, and capital, they would not only transform their own lives, but reshape the continent’s economic trajectory.What I did not have then was a playbook for building a pan-African ecosystem, engaging policymakers and investors, and sustaining myself as a leader in a space where gender equality is still contested. Looking back, there are lessons that matter not only for founders like me, but for investors, corporates, and governments that say they want inclusive growth. They all point to one conclusion: Africa must move from talking about women entrepreneurs to building serious, integrated ecosystems around them. Ambition is not the problem When I first spoke about building a pan-African platform dedicated to women’s innovation and entrepreneurship, the idea was often dismissed as ‘too big’ or ‘too idealistic’. In hindsight, that resistance was not a signal to scale back; it was evidence that the work was ahead of its time. Today, the data is clear. Global and regional analyses consistently show that closing gender gaps in entrepreneurship, labour participation, and leadership would add significant percentage points to GDP and deepen economic resilience.The question is no longer whether women’s economic empowerment matters. The question is whether we are willing to redesign systems to reflect that reality.For investors and policymakers, this requires a mindset shift: transformative ideas around gender equity and inclusive growth will often feel uncomfortable at first. ‘Too ambitious’ usually means ‘too early’ – not ‘wrong’. Events are not ecosystems In the early years of AWIEF, it was tempting to measure success by visible activities: a high-profile conference, a successful accelerator cohort, a glamorous awards gala. These are important. They create visibility, convene stakeholders, and inspire.But they are not enough.The real inflection point came when we stopped thinking in terms of isolated programmes and started designing a 360-degree pipeline: skills → networks → markets → capital → advocacy. Any serious effort to support her must be designed as an ecosystem, not a calendar of eventsWomen entrepreneurs do not experience their journey in silos. The same founder who needs digital skills also needs access to buyers, patient capital, mentors, and a regulatory environment that does not penalise her for being a woman. Any serious effort to support her must be designed as an ecosystem, not a calendar of events.For Africa’s public and private leaders, this means moving beyond one-off sponsorships and short-term projects towards long-horizon, ecosystem-building partnerships. Capital and partnerships must be values-aligned In a resource-constrained environment, it is easy to accept any funding or partnership that comes your way. Over time, I learned that misaligned capital can be more costly than no capital at all.The most effective partnerships we have built at AWIEF share three characteristics:

1. They see African women as economic actors, not beneficiaries.
2. They are willing to fund core, long-term work, not just short-term visibility projects.
3. They treat women’s entrepreneurship as strategy, not CSR.

This is where development finance institutions, commercial banks, and corporates have a choice to make. Will they continue to treat women-focused initiatives as peripheral, or will they integrate them into mainstream investment theses, supply chains, and innovation strategies? Data is not a donor requirement In the beginning, it is tempting to postpone rigorous impact measurement: ‘We’re still small; we’ll track later’. I wish we had built our data infrastructure from the very first programme.Today, when we talk about AWIEF’s work, we do not only speak about inspiring stories. We speak about:

1. Women entrepreneurs supported across many African countries
2. Jobs created and sustained
3. Revenue growth and export expansion
4. Capital mobilised
5. Policy and regulatory shifts influenced

For investors and policymakers, this kind of data is not a ‘nice to have’. It is the basis for scaling what works and reallocating resources from what does not. For organisations like ours, it is leverage in negotiations with partners who want to see evidence before they commit.If Africa is serious about women’s entrepreneurship, we must be equally serious about measuring outcomes, not just activities. The policy interlocutor Training, mentoring, and funding women entrepreneurs is essential — but it is not enough. Structural barriers in law, regulation, and institutional practice can erase years of individual progress.That is why AWIEF increasingly positions itself not only as a programme implementer, but as a policy interlocutor: engaging governments, regional bodies, and development institutions on issues such as:

1. Gender-lens investing and access to finance
2. Trade and market access under frameworks like the AfCFTA
3. Digital inclusion and future-of-work skills
4. Regulatory environments that enable women-owned SMEs to scale

One woman gaining access to capital can transform a business. A policy shift that normalises gender-lens investing can transform an entire generation of entrepreneurs.For serious ecosystem builders, policy engagement is not a side activity. It is central to long-term impact. Technology, the multiplier Africa cannot ignore Africa’s scale and diversity make it impossible to rely solely on in-person interventions. Technology is how we ensure reach, continuity, and equity of access.Digital platforms now enable AWIEF to deliver training and mentorship across borders, build communities of practice, match entrepreneurs with investors and buyers, and track longitudinal impact at scale.For investors and corporates, backing tech-enabled, mission-driven platforms is one of the fastest ways to accelerate inclusive growth. For governments, investing in digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity is, indirectly, an investment in women’s entrepreneurship. Women at the centre is not radical Perhaps the most important lesson of the past decade is this: placing women at the centre of Africa’s economic agenda is not a radical feminist experiment. It is a rational growth strategy.Every credible analysis – from multilateral institutions to private-sector research – confirms that when women have equal access to resources, markets, and decision-making, economies grow faster, innovation deepens, and communities become more resilient. When we built AWIEF, it sometimes felt as though we were asking to ‘fit’ women into existing systems. Today, it is clear that the real task is to redesign those systems so that women are fully recognised as the economic leaders they already are.Africa cannot afford to keep treating women entrepreneurs as a side issue. They are central to the continent’s competitiveness, its demographic dividend, and its ability to navigate global shocks.The question now is whether our capital, our policies, and our institutions will finally catch up with their ambition.

The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) has announced the establishment of its Advisory Board, a key step in guiding the organisation’s next phase of strategic growth and long-term impact across the African continent. The new Advisory Board brings together a distinguished group of global leaders with extensive experience in business, policy, development, media, and innovation. The Board will provide high-level strategic guidance on AWIEF’s medium- to long-term priorities, including sustainable revenue growth, institutional strengthening, governance, and the expansion of programmes that support women’s entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. “The establishment of the Advisory Board marks an important milestone in AWIEF’s evolution,” said Irene Ochem, Founder & CEO of AWIEF. “The collective experience, insight, and leadership of our Advisory Board members will be invaluable as we consolidate our institutional foundations and scale our impact across Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.” AWIEF Advisory Board Members

• Fatma Samoura — Former Secretary-General, FIFA; global leader in sport, gender equity, and youth empowerment
• Dalia Ibrahim — CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House; Founder & CEO, EdVentures; champion for education, innovation, and Africa’s creative economy
• Awa Ndiaye-Seck — Former Special Representative UN Women to the African Union Commission & President, ADES-USA; expert in gender policy, economic inclusion, and sustainable development
• Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard — Founder & Chairman, APO Group; pan-African media and communications strategist with extensive global networks; named one of the most 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in 2023 and 2024

Role of the Advisory Board The Advisory Board has been created to support AWIEF’s growth beyond its flagship annual convenings, with a strong focus on strategic programming, partnerships, research, policy influence, and ecosystem development. Members have been selected for their exceptional leadership, cross-sector expertise, and proven commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF). For media enquiries: Yolanda Mtshawu Email: inf@awieforum.org Phone: +27 21 002 8264 About AWIEF: The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is a pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Through high-impact programmes, strategic partnerships, and world-class convenings, AWIEF creates opportunities for women innovators and business leaders to connect, learn, and scale solutions that address Africa’s most pressing challenges. AWIEF’s flagship Conference, Exhibition & Awards convenes entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from across Africa and around the world to catalyse growth, foster collaboration, and champion women’s leadership in business and innovation.

Cape Town, South Africa – 31 October 2025 — The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) hosted a spectacular celebration of African women’s excellence at the 2025 AWIEF Awards, held on Friday evening at the Cape Town South Africa. The glittering gala honoured women entrepreneurs and leaders driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across the continent. Eight exceptional winners were announced, each representing the transformative power of women-led initiatives in Africa. Since its inception in 2016, the AWIEF Awards have been a beacon of recognition and inspiration for women in business and leadership. Beyond celebrating success, the Awards aim to empower the next generation of innovators and changemakers, fostering a vibrant pan-African community of collaboration and impact. This year’s winners and finalists came from across Africa, showcasing diverse industries including technology, agriculture, energy, creative arts, and social entrepreneurship — united by a shared vision of advancing Africa’s growth through innovation. The Awards followed the two-day AWIEF2025 Conference, which attracted over 500 delegates from 50+ countries for engaging discussions, exhibition, masterclasses, and networking sessions. The event concluded with the highly anticipated awards gala dinner, marking a fitting finale to two days of knowledge sharing and inspiration. 2025 AWIEF Awards Winners Young Entrepreneur Award Norah Kimathi – Zerobionic, Kenya Empowerment Award Mampho Sotshongaye – Golden Rewards 1981, South Africa Energy Entrepreneur Award Nidal Tafah – MIRRIAH, Morocco Creative Industry Award Soraya da Piedade – Soraya da Piedade LDA, Angola Social Entrepreneur Award Farana Boodhram – MiDesk Global, South Africa Agri Entrepreneur Award (Sponsored by OCP Africa) Linda Davis – Giraffe Bioenergy, Kenya Tech Entrepreneur Award Maryanne Gichanga – AgriTech Analytics, Kenya Lifetime Achievement Award Audrey Joe-Ezigbo – CEO, Falcon Corporation, Nigeria Voices of the Winners For Soraya da Piedade, founder of Soraya da Piedade LDA and winner of the Creative Industry Award, the recognition marks a defining moment in her journey as a designer and entrepreneur. “I’m deeply honoured and grateful to AWIEF for creating platforms like this, where we celebrate women’s creativity and leadership,” said Soraya. “This award reminds me that when we create from a place of passion and purpose, we not only build brands but also inspire others to dream bigger.” From Kenya, Linda Davis, founder and CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy and winner of the Agri Entrepreneur Award, described the moment as “surreal.” “It’s my first time winning an award like this, and I am beyond excited,” said Davis. “AWIEF has given women like me a powerful space to share our work, connect with others, and be recognized for driving change in our communities. This win belongs to every woman farmer and entrepreneur working to build a sustainable Africa.” About the 2025 AWIEF Awards Finalists This year’s finalists included inspiring women from across Africa — from tech innovators in Botswana and Uganda to social impact leaders in Somalia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe —highlighting the depth and diversity of women’s entrepreneurial excellence on the continent. About AWIEF The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is a pan-African organization dedicated to advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership across Africa. Through its annual conference, awards, accelerator programs, and partnerships, AWIEF continues to support women founders, executives, and innovators,driving sustainable growth and inclusive development across the continent. For more information, visit www.awieforum.org

We were honoured to have Hon. Christelle Vuanga, Member of Parliament from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, join the Opening Panel: “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality: Strengthening Commitment and Countering the Backlash”. Thank you Hon. Vuanga for your inspiring contribution and valuable insights on advancing women’s leadership and safeguarding gender equality. Best wishes to you as you continue your journey of leadership in governance and service in the DRC. Cape Town International Convention Centre #AWIEF2025 #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquality #WomenAdvancement #InspiringWomen

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Opens Next Week in Cape Town for 2025 Conference. OCP Africa, Deloitte Africa, UNDP, UN Women, Nedbank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Development Bank of Southern Africa, and Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) to headline AWIEF’s 11th flagship event. Cape Town, South Africa — The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Conference and Exhibition event opens its doors next week, from 30 to 31 October 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa. AWIEF2025 will convene entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate executives, and development partners from across Africa and the diaspora for two days of high-level dialogue, innovation showcases, and collaboration — all focused on advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership on the continent. Under the theme “Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever”, the 2025 edition will tackle the critical challenges facing women in business — from financing and digital transformation to sustainability and policy reform — while celebrating innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. “I’m excited to be part of AWIEF2025 because it’s a powerful platform that amplifies women’s leadership and innovation across Africa. It offers an incredible opportunity to connect, collaborate, and drive real impact in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future,” says Dr. Fatima Elsheikh, Secretary General, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “AWIEF is a dynamic platform that empowers women entrepreneurs and drives inclusive economic growth across Africa. It aligns with our mission to support small businesses, foster innovation, and create sustainable opportunities for South African entrepreneurs,” — Hon. Jane Sithole, Deputy Minister, Department of Small Business Development, South Africa. “I believe women should be empowered, equipped, and recognized for their contributions, innovations, and leadership. AWIEF highlights and celebrates these women, globally, in the most beautiful way,” — Monique Shurray White, CEO and Media Coach, I.M.A.G.E.S. Media Group, USA. Two Days of Insight, Inspiration, and Impact The AWIEF2025 programme features keynotes, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and B2B networking sessions addressing leadership, innovation, trade, technology, investing, and policy. The Opening Keynote will be delivered by Dr. Fatima Elsheikh, setting the tone for a transformative conference. Other highlights include sessions on AI and the Future of Work, Mobilizing Capital for Women Entrepreneurs, Africa’s Green Transition, and Harnessing the AfCFTA for Intra-African Trade. The exhibition floor will showcase innovative businesses, development organisations, and SMEs from across the continent while the prestigious AWIEF Awards & Gala Dinner will close the event on 31 October, honouring the outstanding achievements of African women entrepreneurs and innovators. A Global Gathering of Visionaries AWIEF2025 speakers include more than 70 powerful and high-profile African and global thought leaders across business, development, and politics who will share insights and thought leadership on the conference agenda. Speakers and delegates are joining from across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas — reinforcing AWIEF’s position as a truly pan-African and global platform connecting women entrepreneurs and leaders to opportunity and impact. “Over the past 11 years, AWIEF has grown into one of Africa’s most influential platforms for women in business,” said Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO of AWIEF. “It is a place where women entrepreneurs connect with peers, investors, and industry leaders, building authentic relationships that open doors and spark collaboration. This year’s theme, Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever, reflects our continued commitment to championing women’s leadership, innovation, and economic inclusion at every level despite the current pushbacks.” Partners and Sponsors AWIEF2025 is made possible through the generous support of its esteemed sponsors and partners, including OCP Africa (Diamond Sponsor), Deloitte Africa (Knowledge Partner), City of Cape Town (Host City), African Women Development Fund (AWDF) (Platinum Sponsor), Nedbank (Silver Sponsor), UNDP and UN Women (Bronze Sponsors), as well as MINT360 (Tech Partner). Their collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and leadership across Africa. Event Details Dates: 30 – 31 October 2025 Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa Registration: https://www.awieforum.org/awief2025-conference-exhibition/

We are excited to announce the finalists for the prestigious AWIEF Awards for 2025.

Held annually as part of the AWIEF Conference, the AWIEF Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs and business leaders across the African continent. The aim is to shine a spotlight on women who are driving innovation, building impactful businesses, advancing gender equality, and contributing to Africa’s inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

This year’s finalists were selected by an international panel of judges from a highly competitive pool of outstanding nominees spanning diverse sectors, from technology and agriculture to energy, creative industries and social entrepreneurship. Their journys exemplpify the resilience, ingenuity and leadership of African women shaping the future of the continent.

AWIEF AWARDS 2025 FINALISTS (listed in alphabetical order):

Young Entrepreneur Award

Norah Kimathi – Kenya

Enyo Kossiwa Midjresso-Amouzou – Togo

Chisom Victory Okorie – Nigeria

Energy Entrepreneur Award

Chenez Henderson – South Africa

Rufaro Marufu – Zimbabwe

Nidal Tafah – Morocco

Social Entrepreneur Award

Farana Boodhram – South Africa

Naom Monari – Kenya

Barbara Nabigambo – Uganda

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Vivian Arinaitwe – Uganda

Maryanne Gichanga – Kenya

Naledi Magowe – Botswana

Agri Entrepreneur Award

Linda Davis – Kenya

Ruth Ede – Nigeria

Millicent Okumu – Kenya

Josephine Takundwa – Zimbabwe

Empowerment Award

Mathildah Amollo – Kenya

Naima Derow Mohamed – Somalia

Mampho Sotshongaye – South Africa

Creative Industry Award

Mahlet Afework – Ethiopia

Stella Ndekile – Nigeria

Soraya da Piedade – Angola

Recognizing Africa’s Women Leaders The AWIEF Awards continue to champion women-led innovation and enterprise across Africa, celebrating women who are not only creating successful businesses but also making a positive social and economic impact in their communities and beyond. Join Us at AWIEF2025 The winners of the AWIEF Awards 2025 will be announced at awards ceremony and gala dinner which will take place during the AWIEF Conference, Exhibition and Awards, taking place on 30 – 31 October 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the celebration and connect with Africa’s most inspiring women entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and business leaders.

Click Here to Register