In late October, Cape Town will host the African Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards, one of the continent’s most anticipated stages for women in business. The awards, now firmly established within the annual AWIEF Conference, aim to do more than hand out trophies. They shine a light on the women whose ventures are reshaping industries and expanding the possibilities of what African entrepreneurship can achieve.
This year’s finalists, announced last week, span an impressive range of sectors from renewable energy and agriculture to fashion, technology and social enterprise. Their selection by an international judging panel reflects not just individual excellence but also the growing influence of women entrepreneurs in Africa’s economic transformation.
“We created the AWIEF Awards to honour women whose leadership, innovation and perseverance are helping to redefine Africa’s future. This year’s finalists truly represent that vision,” said Irene Ochem, AWIEF’s founder and chief executive.
Young Visionaries and Seasoned Innovators
The Young Entrepreneur Award finalists illustrate the dynamism of Africa’s new generation of founders. Kenya’s Norah Kimathi, Togo’s Jaël Enyo Kossiwa Midjresso-Amouzou and Nigeria’s Chisom Okorie represent a cohort eager to challenge convention and scale businesses across borders. Their ventures highlight how youth-led entrepreneurship is increasingly central to the continent’s growth story.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Empowerment Award category showcases women committed to widening opportunities for others. Kenya’s Mathildah Amollo, Somalia’s Naima Derow Mohamed and South Africa’s Mampho Sotshongaye have each built initiatives designed to lift communities through education, training and access to resources.
Powering Industries, Shaping Communities
In a continent rich in natural resources but in need of sustainable energy solutions, the Energy Entrepreneur Award resonates strongly. South Africa’s Chenez Henderson, Zimbabwe’s Rufaro Marufu and Morocco’s Nidal Tafah are proving that women can lead the charge in a sector long dominated by men.
The Creative Industry Award finalists, Ethiopia’s Mahlet Afework, Nigeria’s Stella Ndekile and Angola’s Soraya da Piedade, underscore the growing importance of culture and design in Africa’s global brand. Their businesses are more than creative ventures, they are vehicles for job creation and cultural storytelling.
The Social Entrepreneur Award category highlights women whose ventures create measurable impact beyond profit, tackling social and community challenges head-on. This year’s finalists include Dr. Farana Boodhram (South Africa), a champion of inclusive development, Naom Monari (Kenya), whose work addresses pressing social needs with innovative models and Barbara Nabigambo (Uganda), driving change through community-led solutions. Their leadership demonstrates how entrepreneurship can be a force for social transformation across Africa.
From Farms to Labs, Women Are Driving Change
Agriculture remains the backbone of Africa’s economies, and the Agri Entrepreneur Award recognises women who are modernising the sector. Among them are Kenya’s Linda Davis and Millicent Okumu, Nigeria’s Ruth Ede and Zimbabwe’s Josephine Takundwa. Their work highlights how innovation in farming, processing and distribution can raise incomes and feed growing populations.
Technology, meanwhile, is opening new frontiers. The Tech Entrepreneur Award finalists, Uganda’s Vivian Arinaitwe, Kenya’s Maryanne Gichanga and Botswana’s Naledi Magowe, are building solutions that range from digital platforms to scalable AI-driven tools. For many, technology represents the bridge between local challenges and global opportunity.
The Broader Significance
Each finalist carries her own story of resilience, but taken together they signal something larger: the central role of women in shaping Africa’s future. The awards also mark a shift in the global narrative. African women entrepreneurs are no longer positioned on the margins of business, they are increasingly recognised as key architects of inclusive economic growth.
As Ochem put it: “Our 2025 finalists embody the transformative role women entrepreneurs play in creating a more sustainable, inclusive and prosperous Africa.”
The winners will be revealed at the AWIEF Awards Gala on 30–31 October in Cape Town. But in many ways, the value of the event lies not in the final verdict, but in the visibility it affords to the entrepreneurs themselves.
By bringing their work into the spotlight, AWIEF ensures their stories resonate beyond boardrooms and conference halls. It sends a signal to investors, policymakers and peers alike: that the future of Africa’s economy will be written not only by capital flows or natural resources, but by the ingenuity, ambition, and leadership of its women.
