The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has announced the finalists for its 2026 AWIEF Awards, shining a spotlight on women entrepreneurs and business leaders driving innovation, economic growth, and social impact across the continent.
Established in 2017, the AWIEF Awards recognise outstanding women entrepreneurs and business owners whose work is contributing to Africa’s inclusive economic development. This year’s finalists emerged from a highly competitive nominations process and represent a diverse range of industries and African markets.
The 2026 awards have been refreshed to reflect Africa’s rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, with categories focused on emerging leadership, agriculture, technology, creative industries, and measurable social impact.
The 2026 finalists
The Woman to Watch Award finalists are Omotoke Ajidagba, Co-founder and COO of 10mg Health in Nigeria; Faith Nafula, Founder and CEO of Solar Spark Energy in Kenya; and Rowena Turinawe, Founding CEO of Ruka Pay in Uganda.
The Agri Award finalists include Violet Awo Amoabeng, Founder and CEO of Skin Gourmet, Ghana; Stella Doreen Namulondo, Co-founder and COO of Essymart Africa Business Link, Uganda; and Joyce Rugano, CEO of Ecorich Solutions, Kenya.
For the Impact for Good Award, the finalists are Nigerian healthcare entrepreneur Ola Brown, General Partner at HealthCap Africa; Nada Ghammem, Co-Founder and CEO of Tunisia’s Bionic Soul; and Echo Nomsa VanderWal, Executive Director of The Luke Commission in Eswatini.
The Creative Visionary Award features Rasha Aita, Managing Director of SMACRS LLC, Egypt; Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of Forbes Africa, South Africa; and Hadeer Shalaby, Co-Founder and CEO of Freeziana, Egypt.
The Tech Pioneer Award finalists are Varuna Devi Bangaleea, Group CEO of nVisionIT, Mauritius; Ndeye Fatou Mboup, CEO of The Smart Granary, Senegal; and Quinter Ochieng, Founder and CEO of Chargebyte Africa, Kenya.
AWIEF has also introduced the Male Ally Award, recognising a male leader, founder, executive, policymaker, or senior decision-maker whose actions have contributed meaningfully to women's economic empowerment in Africa. The recipient will be announced at the awards ceremony.
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours a visionary woman whose leadership has made a significant contribution to Africa's economic, social, or institutional development, will also be revealed during the ceremony.
Celebrating Africa's entrepreneurial future
The finalists reflect a broader story unfolding across Africa: women are increasingly building companies, creating jobs, developing technology, and addressing some of the continent's most pressing challenges.
The winners will be announced on 11 November 2026 during the AWIEF Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, the grand finale of the AWIEF 2026 Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa.
The conference, scheduled for 10–11 November, is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders from Africa and beyond.
For AWIEF, the awards represent more than recognition. They provide a platform to amplify African women who are building businesses, solving problems, and helping shape a more inclusive and prosperous economic future for the continent.
