The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has unveiled its 2025 Awards finalists—a powerhouse lineup of 23 extraordinary women whose work spans from cutting-edge technology to transformative social impact across 12 African nations.
From Kenya’s agritech innovators to South Africa’s energy entrepreneurs, from Nigeria’s creative industry leaders to Uganda’s tech pioneers, this year’s finalists represent the full spectrum of African women driving economic transformation at unprecedented scale.
Beyond Recognition: A Platform That Moves the Needle
The AWIEF Awards, held annually as part of the AWIEF Conference, aren’t just another ceremony—they’re a strategic intervention designed to amplify the voices and achievements of women who are literally building Africa’s economic future.
“The AWIEF Awards are a powerful platform to honour women whose innovation, resilience, and leadership are shaping the future of Africa,” said Irene Ochem, AWIEF founder and CEO. “Our 2025 finalists embody the transformative role women entrepreneurs play in creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.”
The numbers tell a compelling story: 23 finalists across 7 categories from 12 countries, selected by an international panel of judges from what AWIEF describes as a “highly competitive pool of nominees.”
The Finalists: Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders
🚀 Young Entrepreneur Award
The future belongs to these trailblazers who are redefining what’s possible for young African women in business:
- Norah Kimathi – Kenya: Representing the innovation powerhouse that Kenya has become
- Enyo Kossiwa Midjresso-Amouzou – Togo: Bringing West African ingenuity to the spotlight
- Chisom Victory Okorie – Nigeria: Adding to Nigeria’s legendary entrepreneurial legacy
💪 Empowerment Award
Recognizing leaders who are lifting others as they climb:
- Mathildah Amollo – Kenya: Continuing Kenya’s leadership in women’s empowerment initiatives
- Naima Mohamed – Somalia: Breaking barriers in one of Africa’s most challenging business environments
- Mampho Sotshongaye – South Africa: Leveraging South Africa’s sophisticated market for broader impact
⚡ Energy Entrepreneur Award
As Africa leads the global renewable energy transition, these women are at the forefront:
- Chenez Henderson – South Africa: Innovating in the continent’s most advanced energy market
- Rufaro Marufu – Zimbabwe: Bringing energy solutions to underserved communities
- Nidal Tafah – Morocco: Representing North Africa’s growing clean energy sector
🎨 Creative Industry Award
Africa’s creative economy is booming, and these entrepreneurs are defining its future:
- Mahlet Afework – Ethiopia: Showcasing East African creative excellence
- Stella Ndekile – Nigeria: Adding to Nollywood’s expanding creative ecosystem
- Soraya da Piedade – Angola: Representing the untapped potential of Lusophone Africa
🤝 Social Entrepreneur Award
Profit with purpose—these leaders prove that business success and social impact go hand in hand:
- Farana Boodhram – South Africa: Creating systemic change through entrepreneurship
- Naom Monari – Kenya: Building sustainable solutions for community challenges
- Barbara Nabigambo – Uganda: Driving social transformation in East Africa
🌾 Agri Entrepreneur Award
With agriculture employing 60% of Africa’s workforce, these women are transforming the continent’s most crucial sector:
- Linda Davis – Kenya: Innovating in Africa’s most sophisticated agritech market
- Ruth Ede – Nigeria: Scaling agricultural solutions in West Africa’s largest economy
- Millicent Okumu – Kenya: Doubling down on Kenya’s agricultural innovation leadership
- Josephine Takundwa – Zimbabwe: Building agricultural resilience in challenging conditions
💻 Tech Entrepreneur Award
The category that could reshape Africa’s economic future:
- Vivian Arinaitwe – Uganda: Representing East Africa’s growing tech ecosystem
- Maryanne Gichanga – Kenya: Adding to Kenya’s reputation as Africa’s Silicon Savannah
- Naledi Magowe – Botswana: Showcasing Southern Africa’s emerging tech potential
The Geographic Story: Where Innovation Happens
The finalist distribution tells a fascinating story about African innovation geography:
🇰🇪 Kenya leads with 6 finalists—confirming its position as Africa’s innovation capital 🇳🇬 Nigeria follows with 3 finalists—representing West Africa’s economic powerhouse
🇿🇦 South Africa contributes 3 finalists—leveraging its sophisticated market infrastructure 🇺🇬 Uganda, 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe each have 2 finalists—showing innovation spreading beyond major hubs
Other represented countries include 🇹🇬 Togo, 🇸🇴 Somalia, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇦🇴 Angola, and 🇧🇼 Botswana—demonstrating that innovation knows no borders in modern Africa.
Why This Matters: The Multiplier Effect
The AWIEF Awards represent more than individual recognition—they’re a strategic investment in Africa’s economic transformation. Research consistently shows that women entrepreneurs:
- Reinvest 90% of earnings back into their families and communities
- Create more inclusive workplaces that benefit entire ecosystems
- Drive innovation in overlooked markets that serve underserved populations
- Build sustainable businesses with longer-term impact focus
When platforms like AWIEF amplify these voices, they’re not just celebrating success—they’re creating blueprints for replication across the continent.
The Selection Process: Global Standards, African Excellence
The international judging panel’s involvement signals AWIEF’s commitment to world-class standards. The competitive selection process from what organizers describe as a highly competitive nominee pool suggests the quality bar continues rising year over year.
This international validation matters for African women entrepreneurs seeking global partnerships, investment, and market expansion opportunities.
The Conference Context: Where Recognition Meets Action
The AWIEF Awards aren’t isolated—they’re embedded within the broader AWIEF Conference, creating an ecosystem where recognition translates into:
- Networking opportunities with potential partners and investors
- Knowledge sharing between established and emerging entrepreneurs
- Media visibility that opens doors to new markets
- Mentorship connections that sustain long-term growth
Looking Forward: What Victory Means
For the eventual category winners, AWIEF Awards recognition often serves as a catalyst for:
- Increased investor interest in their ventures
- Partnership opportunities with corporations and NGOs
- Media coverage that expands market reach
- Speaking opportunities that establish thought leadership
- Access to networks that accelerate business growth
The Bigger Picture: Africa’s Women-Led Economic Revolution
The 2025 AWIEF Awards finalists represent something larger than individual achievement—they embody Africa’s transition from aid recipient to innovation leader, powered significantly by women entrepreneurs who understand local challenges and build globally competitive solutions.
From Nairobi’s tech hubs to Lagos’s creative industries, from Casablanca’s energy sector to Cape Town’s social enterprises, African women are not just participating in the economy—they’re defining its future.
