By Prosper Mene
The search for Africa’s most impactful women in business has a new shortlist.
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, AWIEF, has announced the finalists for the 2026 AWIEF Awards — its flagship program honoring women entrepreneurs driving growth across the continent.
Since launching in 2017, the AWIEF Awards have spotlighted founders, innovators, and business leaders whose work is reshaping Africa’s economy. This year’s edition drew hundreds of nominations from across 54 African countries.
To reflect how fast Africa’s business landscape is changing, AWIEF refined its categories for 2026. This year’s awards will recognize leaders in technology, agriculture, creative industries, and social impact, alongside emerging founders and established CEOs.
In a first, AWIEF is also introducing the Male Ally Award. The new category will honor a man whose leadership has directly advanced women’s economic empowerment and created lasting opportunities for women in Africa.
Meet the 2026 Finalists
WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD
Recognizing rising founders with high growth potential
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
Celebrating innovation in agriculture and agribusiness
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
For women creating measurable social change
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
Honoring leaders in media, arts, and creative enterprise
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
For women leading in innovation and digital transformation
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
Recipient to be announced at the Gala Dinner
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Honoring decades of leadership and legacy-building
Recipient to be announced at the Gala Dinner
Winners to Be Revealed in Cape Town
The winners will be announced at the AWIEF 2026 Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on November 11, 2026.
The ceremony will close out the AWIEF 2026 Conference, holding November 10–11, 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
The 2-day conference will bring together women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem players from across Africa and beyond to discuss funding, trade, and the future of women-led business on the continent.
AWIEF says the Gala will celebrate not just the finalists and winners, but also the allies helping to build a more inclusive economy for Africa.
Tickets and registration for the AWIEF 2026 Conference and Awards are now open online.
Media enquiries: info@awieforum.org
